Sydney’s off-field raid has continued, with the club welcoming back a highly-rated assistant coach while poaching a football manager to head up its academy.

The Swans on Wednesday confirmed Jeremy Laidler had returned to the club to take up an assistant coaching role, while Wayne Campbell had been appointed the Swans academy manager.

Campbell, a four-time Tigers best and fairest winner and dual All-Australian, joins the Swans following four years as the Gold Coast Suns’ football manager. He’d previously held roles at Richmond, Western Bulldogs and GWS Giants, as well as the heading up umpiring at the AFL.

Watch the best build-up to the 2025 AFL Grand Final, with expert analysis and full Grand Final day coverage, on Fox Footy via Kayo | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.

WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.

Campbell will report to former Swans coach turned club performance executive director John Longmire, who said Campbell would bring a wealth of experience to the role.

“Wayne will be responsible for shaping the future of our talent development pathway and has a proven track record of successfully managing football programs,” Longmire said.

“He will be a fantastic addition to the QBE Sydney Swans Academy program, and we welcome him aboard.”

Outgoing Gold Coast Suns General Manager Wayne Campbell. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

Campbell said a major reason for leaving Gold Coast was to be closer to family in Sydney, but stressed he’d “always be grateful for the opportunity afforded to me by the Gold Coast Suns”.

“I have absolutely loved my time at the Gold Coast Suns. To see a club mature the way it has and play a role in that is something I’m incredibly proud of – the feeling after the Elimination Final win against Fremantle is why we love the game so much,” Campbell said.

“I’d like to thank everyone at the club, but in particular Bob East, Mark Evans, Craig Cameron and Damien Hardwick. Thank you so much for all your support and making the club a great place to work. The sense of fun and drive to get better has created an environment that gets the best out of our people.

“It was an incredibly hard decision to make, given my passion for my role and this club. However, the pull of a role closer to my family won out.”

Meanwhile, Laidler returns to the Swans after three seasons as the Giants’ forwards coach.

Danger visualizing Grand Final success | 05:24

Laidler played for Geelong and Carlton before finishing his career at Sydney. He stayed on at the club as a development coach for 2018 before becoming the Swans’ VFL head coach — a role he held for five years before joining the Giants.

“Jeremy is a fantastic addition to our coaching group, and it’s great to have him back at the Swans,” Swans football boss Leon Cameron said.

“Spending the past three years at the Giants has seen Jeremy develop his coaching skills and he brings a wealth of football knowledge from his time both playing and coaching.”

Laidler will work under senior coach Dean Cox.

Campbell and Laidler’s appointments comes after the Swans last week landed ex-Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin as its director of coaching and performance.