‘Funnier things have happened’: AFL boss’ curious comments amid links to Swans gun

While an AFL rival expects a star Swans midfielder to see out his contract at Sydney, the club says it will “certainly monitor the situation”.

Chad Warner of the Swans. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Fremantle chief executive Simon Garlick expects star midfielder Chad Warner to see out his contract at Sydney, but says his club will “certainly monitor the situation”, adding: “Funnier things have happened.”

Warner, who made this year’s All-Australian team, remains contracted to Sydney until the end of 2025. But, as Herald Sun journalist Jon Ralph reported on Fox Footy’s On The Couch last week, both WA clubs believe Warner will request a trade back to his home state by the end of next year.

Speaking on SEN WA Breakfast on Monday, Garlick said it was likely Warner would play for the Swans in 2025, but confirmed his club would have “significant interest” in Warner if he ever wanted to return to his home state.

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Garlick also pointed to the Dockers’ acquisitions Luke Jackson, Jordan Clark and Jeremy Sharp as proof that targeting WA products can be successful.

“There’s no doubt that established WA talent, who are making waves over east or anywhere in the competition, we’re going to have an interest in – and I don’t think anyone’s done that more than Chad,” Garlick told SEN WA Breakfast.

“There’s no doubt we’ve got a significant interest in him, if he was to come back home or want to come back home.

“He’s contracted next year, Sydney are on the record and very strongly saying that he’ll be playing with them – and we feel he will be playing in the red and white next year. But funnier things have happened, so we’ll certainly keep an eye on the situation.

“But you’ve seen Sydney too, they’ve got a record of holding players to contract. I’d be very surprised if he’s not playing there next year, but we’ll certainly monitor the situation.”

Fremantle’s main priority over the next week, at this stage, will be striking a trade with Richmond to acquire contracted goalkicker Shai Bolton, who wants to return to WA.

But early signs suggest a deal won’t be straightforward, with Fremantle unwilling to give the Tigers what they want and part with its first two selections (Picks 10 and 11) for Bolton, instead preferring to give away Picks 11 and 18.

John Longmire, Senior Coach of the Swans and Chad Warner. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

“So what if the Shai Bolton deal gets really tough?” Ralph asked on Fox Footy’s Trading Day on Monday night.

“We know that Richmond is very grumpy – they want Picks 10 and 11. What if they (the Dockers) potentially go: ‘OK, Plan B. We’ll have a crack at Chad Warner to Fremantle. Picks 10, 11 and 18.’

“Is there any chance they say ‘we’ll just throw everything at Chad Warner and go and win a flag next year’?”

Swans chief executive Tom Harley last week said work had begun to keep Warner at the club for the long term.

Dual All-Australian Leigh Montagna said he’d like to see Warner remain at Sydney next year, particularly after the Swans’ disappointing Grand Final loss to Brisbane.

“It’s all good and well for Fremantle to want him. First of all, Warner’s got to want to leave – and I think after what happened Grand Final day, I can’t see him doing it and I can’t see the Sydney Swans letting him go with a year to run on his contract. They’ll spend the next 12 months trying to get him to re-sign,” Montagna told Trading Day.

“I’d love to see him with a redemption year. Imagine Warner and (Errol) Gulden and (Isaac) Heeney next year with a chip on their shoulder to play again?

“I think he’ll stick out his contract – and who knows in 12 months’ time?”

Originally published as ‘Funnier things have happened’: AFL boss’ curious comments amid links to Swans gun