The Sydney Swans are grappling with the pressing decision of their star midfielder Chad Warner's future with the club. As of this season, Warner is out of contract at the end of 2025, leading to rampant speculation as West Coast and Fremantle aim to lure the talented player back to Western Australia.
With the Swans seeking their first win of the season against Fremantle, Coach Cox emphasized that Warner's re-signing is a "top priority" for the team. It reflects the club’s commitment to securing key players as they work to stabilize their lineup after rocky beginnings into the season.
Warner’s teammates, including Errol Gulden, Logan McDonald, Ollie Florent, Will Hayward, and James Rowbottom, have recently recommitted to the Swans, signaling a strong team morale and unity. However, Dane Rampe, a senior defender, downplayed any peer pressure on Warner, suggesting that the young midfielder should take his time to make such an important decision regarding his career.
“I haven’t heard anything, but maybe he just doesn’t want to tell me,” Rampe joked. “No, no, ‘Chaddy’ has been great. It’s hard for a kid that age to deal with the ongoing pressure.” He added, “At the end of the day, he’s got a big decision to make. From my point of view, we welcome that. Take your time.” Rampe emphasized that while the contract situation is out of their control, Warner will ultimately decide his path when the season concludes.
The Swans are currently in preparation mode, gearing up to face Fremantle on Sunday, March 23, 2025. Both teams are looking for their first victory this season, with Sydney still reeling from back-to-back losses against Hawthorn and Brisbane. Meanwhile, Fremantle is reeling following a harsh 78-point loss to Geelong, a defeat that stirred frustration within the Dockers’ camp.
Coach Justin Longmuir of the Dockers expressed his dissatisfaction with the performance, stating that his players were “not tough enough.” This resonated ahead of a match that many expect will be fiercely contested as both sides fight to overcome their disappointing starts. “We’re paying no mind to the outside noise,” Rampe shared. “We know what we have to work on.” His references to previous seasons reveal a broader concern within the Swans' ranks, particularly a haunting comparison to the 2017 season, where they stumbled out of the blocks, starting with an 0-6 record.
Rampe remarked on the importance of focusing on the present rather than getting ahead of themselves: “You’ve got to build yourself back up, and that’s a challenge in itself. To be even thinking that far ahead (to finals), I find, quite arrogant. We’ve done that before in the past, and we’ve got caught out.”
The Swans learned this lesson well after their grand final loss in 2016 which significantly impacted their performance in the subsequent season. As Rampe pointed out, “We found out pretty quickly that if you sacrifice your foundations as a footy team, maybe start looking a little bit further ahead, you get caught out pretty quickly. We’re just taking it—pretty boring—one week at a time.”
The upcoming match against Fremantle will set the stage for how the season may unfold for both clubs. With the stakes high and team morale fluctuating, the Swans must channel the energy of their fans while looking to provide a strong performance that signals a turnaround for their season. The decision around Chad Warner will remain a hot topic until the end of the season, highlighting the broader narrative of team stability and individual ambitions in the ever-competitive landscape of the AFL.
