Is anything short of a flag a failure for Dean Cox?

The Sydney Swans might have suffered a damaging loss to Fremantle, but both Adam Simpson and Ken Hinkley are refusing to lose faith.

After leading for three quarter at Optus Stadium on Thursday night, the Swans were overrun by a rampant Dockers side, conceding seven straight goals from a leading position to fall by a damning 38 points.

In a setting mirroring that of September, the Swans buckled defensively under Docker pressure – a reflection of their form behind the ball over a multi-week stretch.

Entering 2026 as a premiership favourite after the acquisition of Charlie Curnow, losses to Brisbane and now Fremantle have raised some serious questions of the Swans and their ability to match up agains the best.

However, as explained by West Coast premiership coach Adam Simpson, winning the Grand Final is not a pass or fail for Dean Cox this season.

“They’re still three games clear in second on the ladder,” Simpson told SEN Crunch Time.

“They are not in bad shape. I just think that part of the game needs to be right on top come finals time.

“This is Coxy’s second year. Second year, you always bounce. I reckon it’s a really good year to have, especially when you’ve got a competitive side.

“I don’t think winning a premiership is the ultimate pass or fail mark. If they make a Grand Final, I think Dean has had a really, really good year.”

Ken Hinkley echoed Simpson’s remark.

“I think any team that makes top four has had a great season,” he said.

“You need a bit of luck at the end to get it done. Brisbane could have won or lost (any of) the last three Grand Finals.

“At Port, we had a great record against them for some reason. We played really well against Sydney.

“But I see them at their blistering best and I go, who can handle Isaac Heeney and Chad Warner when they’re up and about?

“Errol Gulden’s still to go, Nick Blakey… it’s pretty damaging. I think they are a really good team, and I think they’ll be more than okay.

“If they hang on to second, they’re going to be really hard to beat.”

Sydney will look to regroup ahead of a huge Friday night clash with Adelaide at the SCG.