Having been one of the original Sydney Swans when the Club relocated in 1982, during his thirteen year career Dennis played 219 games for the Club that he captained from 1986 to 1992. He stayed involved with the Swans after he finished playing, coaching the Reserve grade team for four years - he got them to a grand final in 1995 - and then becoming Chairman of Selectors, a position he held from 1998 to 2001. Even after severing his official ties with the Club, Dennis was never far away. He was named in the Swans Team of the Century in 2003 and inducted into the Swans Hall Of Fame earlier this year.
Happily ensconced at City Ford, where he had been employed for 20 years and had risen to the role of Dealer Principal, Dennis received a phone call from Paul Roos, sounding him out about the possibility of taking on the role of Sydney Swans Player Welfare Manager following the departure of Phil Mullen. Despite his City Ford job being “comfortable, challenging and rewarding” he got to thinking about a return to the Swans and had some follow-up meetings about the idea with Andrew Ireland.
He finally accepted the offer. “The more I thought about it, and spoke to my family about it, I realised I had the opportunity to come back to something I had a true interest in and passion for. How often do you get the chance to do that?” he asked.
And so it is that Dennis has “come home”, albeit to a new role and a new challenge.
A challenge he has embraced eagerly in his first couple of months back at the Club. At this time of year, much of the Player Welfare Manager’s role involves the relocation of players. Sadly, there are those who are leaving the Club and may require assistance with the transition out of football.
Also, there are plenty coming into the Club or into the AFL system, and Dennis has been involved in every aspect of the process, including finding accommodation and educational opportunities for them.
When asked what he considered should be the major focus of his role, Dennis replied, “I see it as being a holistic thing. Just being here to give the younger players some advice about education, to help people consider their future after footy, all of it is important. It’s really just being someone they are comfortable with and someone they can talk to separate from footy. Having been in their situation, I think I have some empathy with them.”
About his expectations of his return to the Swans, Dennis said “I expected a very professional organisation. My expectations have been met and surpassed.”
“What really struck me was the extraordinary number of people involved in running this place, even just in the football department. The organisation which goes into planning and preparing training and conditioning are remarkable. “
As are the preparation and planning which thus far have gone into the role which Dennis has embraced with as much enthusiasm and commitment as he once displayed on the football field.
