Sydney coach Dean Cox maintains finals optimism ahead of Brisbane qualifying final

Sydney coach Dean Cox remains confident in his team's ability to compete in the finals despite the suspensions of five key players. Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, Riley Bice, and James Jordon will miss the upcoming qualifying final against Brisbane at the SCG after breaching club standards last month. While Sydney chairman Andrew Pridham previously suggested the absences would compromise the club’s premiership hopes, Cox indicated the remaining squad is focused on the immediate challenge. The Swans head into the home final following a bye period and an emotional win over North Melbourne. Selection for the match remains ongoing as the coaching staff evaluates the availability of players like Joel Amartey and those who performed well in the VFL program during the break. The winner of this qualifying final earns a path to a preliminary final.

• 3:38 AMAFL — 'A hell of a lot at stake': Cox confident Swans still capable of September charge