Former AFL midfielder Adam Cooney says that there is no doubt retiring Kangaroo Andrew Swallow’s decision to hang up the boots was made in response to the club’s ongoing list rebuild.
The former North captain and three time best-and-fairest today announced his retirement from the game after 224 games in the blue and white, citing family reasons for his choice to end his current contract one year early.
Cooney says that Swallow knew that his place in the side next season was under threat, having already been ousted from his preferred inside midfield role this season to a more forward-sitting position where he struggled to make an impact in his 16 games this year.
“He saw the writing on the wall, given the way that they are going, clearing out all the old blokes and going to play the kids,” the 2008 Brownlow Medallist told SEN’s The Run Home.
“When you’re on your way down the ladder and you’re rebuilding your club, the first two to go are the old and the slow.
“Unfortunately for Andrew Swallow at the moment, given his age and the fact that he can’t cover the ground that well on the outside, players can spread on him now, he fits both of those.”
Roos assistant coach Darren Crocker says the retirement was in no way pushed by the club, saying Swallow’s decision to end his career was purely his own.
“He just felt he needed a bit of a changeup, that’s why he was looking at the Gold Coast option which didn’t come to fruition, and he is just ready to move on to the next phase of his life,” he said.
Speaking further on the failed deal to join the Suns, where he could have joined up with younger brother David, Crocker says that he can’t rule out Swallow moving up to Queensland in the near future and potentially coach, given he has recently received his level two certificate in coaching.
“He’s got two very young children who aren’t at school age yet, and for he and his wife, he’s sees it as a bit of an adventure to potentially move north to a bit of warmer weather,” the North assistant said.
“Whether there is still an opportunity for him to do a little bit of part-time coaching there, I’m not too sure.”
Cooney says that he never expected a trade deal between the Suns and Roos to eventuate for Swallow, believing he would struggle to make the senior side up north.
“I couldn’t see him getting a game up on the Gold Coast,” he said.
“He would certainly add some leadership up there, given he is a former captain, but unfortunately I couldn’t really see him filling a role at the Gold Coast Suns.”