Geez .... at the start of the year Centrebet had him @ 16-1 in the "first coach to be replaced" market.
Sydney coach Rodney Eade is expected to confirm his resignation on Tuesday, capping a tumultuous 24 hours for the AFL club.
News of Eade's decision swept through the league only a few hours after goalkicking legend Tony Lockett had confirmed his playing comeback was over.
Neither Eade nor the club would make public comment, but several sources confirmed he had either already quit or would do so on Tuesday, effectively immediately.
Assistant coach Paul Roos would be the most likely candidate to take charge of the team in Sunday's home match against Fremantle.
Eade, the first AFL coaching casualty of the year, took over Sydney in 1996, leading the club to that year's grand final.
But the Swans slumped dramatically this year, winning only three games so far, and will go into Sunday's game on a six-match losing streak.
Speculation about Eade's future had built dramatically in the past month.
It is understood Eade learnt last week the Swans board would not offer him a new contract for next season.
While Eade's decision came as a surprise, Eade earlier told reporters he found out about Lockett's retirement only this afternoon.
"(There's) probably a little bit of surprise, I suppose, but you can understand his reasoning," he said.
Lockett said he had "no regrets" about abandoning his comeback.
The league's all-time leading goal kicker announced his second retirement after playing just three games and kicking three goals for the Swans since returning from a two-year sabbatical.
That took his outstanding tally to 1,360 goals in 281 games.
"When I look back on it I'm really proud to get back to playing AFL footy after having two years off and being 36 years of age," Lockett said.
"There were a lot of hurdles, but I just had to chip away at them.
"I would have loved to have been able to play some good footy, that never happened.
"That's probably a bit disappointing but just to run out again for Sydney was a great thrill and a great honour."
When Lockett announced his comeback last December, he said the chance to win an AFL premiership had been a major factor.
His return hit a major barrier when he suffered a badly corked thigh in Sydney's season-opener against Brisbane.
His announcement followed the shock decision earlier this month by club stalwart Wayne Schwass to quit after the Swans' round 12 encounter with Geelong.
The Swans also learnt last week Stuart Maxfield will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury.
Eade denied suggestions he had been reluctant for Lockett to make a comeback in the first place.
"I suppose I wasn't doing cartwheels because I could see there was a lot of hard work ahead and unfortunately people viewed that that I had reluctance which was not the case," he said.
Sydney coach Rodney Eade is expected to confirm his resignation on Tuesday, capping a tumultuous 24 hours for the AFL club.
News of Eade's decision swept through the league only a few hours after goalkicking legend Tony Lockett had confirmed his playing comeback was over.
Neither Eade nor the club would make public comment, but several sources confirmed he had either already quit or would do so on Tuesday, effectively immediately.
Assistant coach Paul Roos would be the most likely candidate to take charge of the team in Sunday's home match against Fremantle.
Eade, the first AFL coaching casualty of the year, took over Sydney in 1996, leading the club to that year's grand final.
But the Swans slumped dramatically this year, winning only three games so far, and will go into Sunday's game on a six-match losing streak.
Speculation about Eade's future had built dramatically in the past month.
It is understood Eade learnt last week the Swans board would not offer him a new contract for next season.
While Eade's decision came as a surprise, Eade earlier told reporters he found out about Lockett's retirement only this afternoon.
"(There's) probably a little bit of surprise, I suppose, but you can understand his reasoning," he said.
Lockett said he had "no regrets" about abandoning his comeback.
The league's all-time leading goal kicker announced his second retirement after playing just three games and kicking three goals for the Swans since returning from a two-year sabbatical.
That took his outstanding tally to 1,360 goals in 281 games.
"When I look back on it I'm really proud to get back to playing AFL footy after having two years off and being 36 years of age," Lockett said.
"There were a lot of hurdles, but I just had to chip away at them.
"I would have loved to have been able to play some good footy, that never happened.
"That's probably a bit disappointing but just to run out again for Sydney was a great thrill and a great honour."
When Lockett announced his comeback last December, he said the chance to win an AFL premiership had been a major factor.
His return hit a major barrier when he suffered a badly corked thigh in Sydney's season-opener against Brisbane.
His announcement followed the shock decision earlier this month by club stalwart Wayne Schwass to quit after the Swans' round 12 encounter with Geelong.
The Swans also learnt last week Stuart Maxfield will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury.
Eade denied suggestions he had been reluctant for Lockett to make a comeback in the first place.
"I suppose I wasn't doing cartwheels because I could see there was a lot of hard work ahead and unfortunately people viewed that that I had reluctance which was not the case," he said.
