Ben McGlynn Biography

Ben Dixon will join St Kilda as its goalkicking coach.

Former Sydney and Hawthorn player Ben McGlynn was in charge of those duties in 2017, when the Saints were one of the most inaccurate teams. On 12 occasions they kicked more behinds than goals.

McGlynn will remain at the club in his role as a development coach.

Ben McGlynn takes up a role with St Kilda as an assistant coach.

"After playing footy in Sydney for the past seven years, I’m really excited at the challenge of stepping into a new environment, a new club and meeting new people," McGlynn said.

"I've had some exposure to coaching, so I feel like the development role is a great fit for me and I'm looking forward to working with the younger boys.

'It's going to be a big challenge, which I’m really excited to take on."

Ben McGlynn opens up about the psychological battle in dealing with missing out on premierships with the Swans.

When the Sydney Swans won the 2012 premiership by upsetting Hawthorn, his former club, McGlynn played 22 of a possible 25 games for the season, and kicked 30 goals as a small forward.

But when his hamstring gave way in the Swans' qualifying final win over the Crows in Adelaide, McGlynn's flag dream vanished.

He got his chance at redemption two years later, but his old teammates thumped the Swans by 63 points.

"I tried to bottle it up for a long time and push it to the side, but it really started to affect me, not just as a footy player, but as a person outside of football," McGlynn said.

"I spoke to our sports psychologist at the club and we put some things in place to help me.

"The pain is still there and I don't think that will ever leave me, but I try not to think about it too much.

"It's in the past and I can't change it, I can only control what I do today, and tomorrow, and each time I have a contest in a game."

Ben McGlynn says he's used his injury-riddled 2015 season to drive him this year as he enters the twilight of his career.

I'm getting towards the end of my career so you need to be doing everything you can to stay out on the park," McGlynn said.

"Unfortunately my pre-season last year was interrupted with calf injuries so I was chasing my tail for the whole year to keep up with the pace of the game.

"That's in the past now, we've put in a new program that's hopefully going to put me in good stead for the rest of this year."

After missing out on playing in the 2008 and 2012 premierships with the Hawks and Swans, Ben McGlynn will get another chance this year as Sydney prepares for the 2014 Grand Final.

"2012 was obviously disappointing and it's been my driving force over the last couple of years and it's great to get the opportunity to play in a Grand Final," McGlynn said.

"There hasn't been a day where 2012 hasn't come across my mind. I've had to battle with that, but this game gives you plenty.

"The joys are great and I'm going to enjoy this week."

Ben McGlynn makes an impact in his return to the Swans' senior side, finishing with 15 possessions, five marks, four tackles and a goal in a 46-point victory over GWS.

"He's an important player for us Benny," Sydney coach John Longmire said.

"He gives us real life and energy.

"For him to miss a couple of weeks, we were tossing up whether he would come back in this week or not, but he was able to get through training and train pretty well.

"He's had a great year, he's a leader and has elite endurance and speed.

"We need him back in the team and it was good to get him back in."

Ben McGlynn re-signs with the Sydney Swans for two years, binding him to the club to the end of 2016.

Essendon forward Leroy Jetta escapes a suspension for a rough conduct charge against Sydney's Ben McGlynn with an early plea.

Ben McGlynn fronts fans at the Swans family day to say thanks for the support he has received in missing the Grand Final.

"I'm very appreciative of 'Horse' (coach John Longmire) mentioning me after the game and at last night's reception," McGlynn said.

"Tuesday I gave myself an opportunity to play and had to go one hundred per cent and I got through it a few times, but the last time, I felt tight.

"I gave myself every opportunity to play and to be recognised by the playing group over the last few hours, it's very humbling."

Sydney Swan Ben McGlynn has failed a fitness test and will not play in the Grand Final.

"He did a sprint test before training and whilst he sprinted once, when he sprinted again he had some discomfort, so really he failed that test in order to train," Swans physiotherapist Matt Cameron said.

"Not being able to train today and Thursday means he is unfortunately out of this game."

Ben McGlynn suffers a hamstring injury in the Swans' qualifying final against Adelaide but Sydney hopes to see him back in action before their season ends.

"The scans showed Ben had only a little inflammation inside the muscle, which is a positive sign," Swans doctor Nathan Gibbs said.

"We will work with Ben and hope to get him up and running again this season."

Sydney Swan Ben McGlynn has had to fight hard to get to his 100th AFL game.

"It's been a long road starting on the rookie list and now playing my hundredth game. I'm pretty proud of the achievement," he said.

"Out of the under-18s I didn't get drafted and went to the VFL for two seasons and learnt a lot there.

"I was then rookie listed at Hawthorn and spent four years there and now here at Sydney - it's my third season and I'm really enjoying it."

Sydney skipper Brett Kirk says Ben McGlynn selfless act in diving for a loose ball which resulted in a fractured cheekbone will be his inspiration as he prepares to farewell the SCG.

McGlynn will miss at least three weeks with his injury.

"I'm sure it will be mentioned going into the game how he sacrificed himself for the boys. There is no doubt we will talk about it this week," Kirk said.

"He does it week-in, week-out and just puts his head over the footy. When you do that you're going to get hurt and unfortunately it looks like it's going to be a significant injury but that's the type of fella he is, he is selfless."

Sydney Swan Ben McGlynn says while disappointed to miss the last seven weeks with a quad injury, he is ready to pick up where he left off.

"You're at a new club and you want to make your mark. I was doing that and then I got struck down by the quad," he said.

"It was a little bit frustrating but that's footy. You cop your injuries and you've just got to deal with it. It's a long season. We've got one game before the break and hopefully I can have a solid second half to the year."

Sydney recruit Ben McGlynn says the Swans' three-year offer was too good to pass up after being offered only one year by the Hawks.

"It was a little bit disappointing that we couldn't come to an agreement, but I was happy with the security here at the Swans. They gave me an opportunity to play regular senior footy," McGlynn said.

"I always knew I could play at that level, and Hawthorn knew that as well, but I guess some things don't work out.

"(Hawthorn's) contract offer didn't eventuate any further than one year, and it was clearly a difficult position. I didn't feel very comfortable talking to Sydney but in the end I had to look after myself.

''I am really grateful for the four years Hawthorn gave me. Now I am happy to be part of Sydney's side and hopefully I can finish my career here."

New Sydney Swan Ben McGlynn says he has been impressed with the club's sense of responsibility and leadership.

"This pre-season has shown that everyone - right from the youngest bloke on the list - has been pushing hard at training and getting the most out of each other," he said.

"If we can carry the Bloods through this season and into the next generation, it will hold us in good stead."

New Swan Ben McGlynn says he is looking forward to joining the club's young guns.

"You don't really want to leave the club that gives you a start in the AFL, but opportunity-wise, Sydney offered a great opportunity to play regular senior footy and the security with a three-year deal," he said.

"Having the opportunity to play was the main factor. With [Mark] Seaby and [Shane] Mumford coming on, and 'Joey' [Josh] Kennedy as well coming on board, they'll be good additions to the Sydney Swans."

Hawthorn midfielders Josh Kennedy and Ben McGlynn have been traded to the Sydney Swans for draft selections 39, 46 and 70.

"While we are disappointed to be losing both Josh and Ben to the Sydney Swans we understand that both players have been presented with opportunities that they see as attractive and wish them well for the future," Hawthorn general manager of player personnel and strategy Chris Pelchen said.

Collingwood assistant coach Brad Scott praises Alan Didak for keeping his cool despite constant niggling from Tiger Jake King.

King's attempts to unsettle Didak followed Hawk Ben McGlynn's efforts a few weeks ago when McGlynn was able to get under the forward's skin in Collingwoods loss to Hawthorn.

"Everyone highlighted the fact that McGlynn got under his skin against Hawthorn, and we knew Richmond would try and do the same to him again today," Scott said after the match.

"He responded brilliantly. We were rapt with his efforts both offensively and defensively, and to hold his nerve under pressure.

"Today he was completely in control of every situation. Players tried to get under his skin, it didn't affect him, and the game was played on his terms and our terms."