Sydney track watch: All the match sim standouts as Chad and Corey Warner involved in heated exchange

There was no love lost in Sydney on Friday with coach Dean Cox forced to step in when tensions boiled over during match-sim. And it wasn’t the only eye-catching moment of the heated session.

Tom McCartin has led the way in a new-look Swans forward line as last year’s minor premiers played a physical four-quarter match simulation on Friday morning, which saw the Warner brothers involved in a very heated exchange.

There was no love lost as the side completed four 10-minute terms, with big bumps and heavy tackles all across Tramway Oval.

Several big names including Brodie Grundy, Logan McDonald and Hayden McLean weren’t involved in the matchplay as their loads were managed, while Taylor Adams also was not involved.

From the very first bounce, it was clear that this would be a fierce internal battle as Callum Mills, Isaac Heeney and James Rowbottom lined up for the red ‘first’ team. Opposing them were Justin McInerney, James Jordon and Angus Sheldrick. Will Green played predominantly as the ruck for the red side with no strong opponent, as Pete Ladhams played forward for the second-string side.

In one of his first full sessions of pre-season, Isaac Heeney looks ready to recapture his 2024 form. Picture: Phil Hillyard

At first glimpse, a couple of players have clearly started the year strong and earned first crack under Dean Cox.

One of those is former Saint Ben Paton who played off the halfback line for the first two quarters in the main side alongside Matty Roberts. They completed a defence that saw Lewis Melican as the main key defender, alongside Dane Rampe, Nick Blakey and Harry Cunningham.

Further up the field, Tom McCartin cut an imposing figure in the goalsquare, playing as the deepest lying forward and looking to crash the pack wherever possible. Joel Amartey played slightly further ahead of him, with the pair complimented by the likes of Tom Papley, Will Hayward and the impressive Caiden Cleary.

In-demand star Chad Warner started the game in the forward line but rotated in the midfield throughout the match simulation.

IN THE ACTION

From the first bounce, the main side’s intent was clear, as Mills, Rowbottom, and Heeney worked well in tandem in the midfield. They regularly found their way into space, either releasing Errol Gulden on the wing or looking to get the ball quickly inside 50.

McCartin was the key beneficiary early, kicking the first two goals of the simulation, including a great conversion from about 40 metres out in the left pocket.

Gulden’s footy IQ was also on display as his field kicking was a class above on the day, with the winger always looking to switch the ball across the field.

Errol Gulden continues to be one of the Swans’ best distributors. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Papley chimed in for a smartly-taken goal in the first term with the small forward looking as energetic as ever. At one point early in the second term, he came to the sidelines having popped one of his fingers out while attempting to mark a ball, but was back on the field five minutes later.

Major changes were made to the sides for the last two terms, including flipping Gulden and Warner around, while Braeden Campbell was brought in on managed minutes.

BROTHERS GET PHYSICAL

The biggest flash point of the game occurred between the two Warner brothers.

As Corey Warner attempted to regather the ball on the wing, his brother, Chad, laid him out on the ground with a massive hip and shoulder. The collision was noticed by plenty on the sidelines, but most continued to watch the play.

However, Corey immediately got up to remonstrate with his older brother, forcing Dean Cox and the umpires to come in and intervene. Jumpers were pulled and they were both happy to get in each other’s face, but that’s where it ended.

While there was zero malice in either incident, it’s a good indication the mongrel the Swans require this season has well and truly arrived.

Chad and Corey Warner went at each other on Friday. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Coach Dean Cox had to step in and intervene. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Corey wasn’t happy with Chad’s bump – but it all stopped after jumpers were pulled. Picture: Phil Hillyard

PLAYERS ON THE RISE

From the opposing side, Jack Buller was a standout looking to put his injury troubles behind him. While he didn’t have much impact on the scoreboard, he was a nuisance for Melican and Rampe, constantly bringing the ball to ground.

Sam Wicks is a player who fell out of favour at the backend of 2024, and he has been flipped around in 2025. The Academy product was predominantly playing off halfback, as they look to use his speed and tackle pressure out of defence.

Young draftee Ned Bowman was another to make the most of his chances, taking a strong mark in the forward pocket in the second term before slotting the goal from a tight angle, much to the delight of his teammates. The South Australian forward is a raw product but full of potential if he can continue producing moments of quality.

Green has also clearly cemented his place as the back-up ruckman to Brodie Grundy, and it’s not hard to see why. He took a big contested mark on the wing, but his groundwork and ability to use the ball is a key feature of the game.

Will Green is growing into an enticing ruck prospect for the Swans. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Callum Mills had plenty of time and space in the midfield. Picture: Phil Hillyard

PLAYERS WHO IMPRESSED

Callum Mills

Mills was incredibly strong around the centre bounces and looks to be the piece of the puzzle the Swans were missing in 2024. What stood out was how tidy he was using the ball by hand and foot. After winning the contested ball, he looked to have a bit more time than everyone else and that turned into really efficient ball use. He also linked up nicely with his other midfielders, in particular, Heeney and Rowbottom who are likely to be the main pair around the centre bounces.

Ben Paton

Paton is still building his connections with many of the Swans players but it’s easy to see why he’s impressed early in his career in the red and white. His positioning was strong on the halfback flank and he was linking up well with his teammates as the game went on. His best moment of the day came late when he made a strong run off halfback, received a handball from Heeney and converted on the run from the arc. It looks to be between him and Ollie Florent for that spot on the halfback line, with the pair switching at half-time.

Caiden Cleary

With an emphasis on defence across the field, Cleary created some strong attacking opportunities on the back of his forward pressure. He was relentless with his running and is incredibly hard to tackle. Will certainly get some more game time in 2025.

Angus Sheldrick

Sheldrick had plenty of eye-catching moments as he looked to win the contested ball at the stoppage. While he sometimes lacked the cutting edge in linking up with some of his teammates, it’s a positive sign that the WA boy was looking so comfortable at the contest. He came into his own in the final term with some impressive decision making and field kicking.

YOUNG GUN IN RACE AGAINST THE CLOCK

Logan McDonald is facing a race against the clock to be fit for the Swans’ opening round clash against Hawthorn with the key forward still battling his ankle injury from 2024.

McDonald injured his ankle during the Swans’ impressive preliminary final win against Port Adelaide before passing a fitness test to play in the grand final against Brisbane.

Unfortunately, the decision backfired with McDonald subbed out of the game at halftime and not having any impact on the game.

The medial ankle sprain eventually required surgery which he underwent in October, however, the 22-year-old’s return date is still under a cloud. With only six weeks until Sydney’s first game of the year, it would take a quick turnaround for McDonald to be ready to line-up against the Hawks at the SCG.

Logan McDonald was subbed out of the grand final just after half time. Picture: Phil Hillyard

He was a keen observer at training on Friday morning where the Swans played a four-quarter match simulation, with no visible strapping or moon boot on his foot.

However, the club has confirmed that the recovery is taking much longer than expected.

“Logan’s progress from his ankle injury has slowed a bit, unfortunately,” Sydney’s general manager of football Leon Cameron said.

“His rehabilitation from the post-season surgery has had its challenges and has been slower than we would like.

“He will continue to build up his gym and cardio work while he strengthens his ankle.”

The Swans have already signalled some changes to their forward line in Dean Cox’s first year in charge, with Tom McCartin making the move up the ground.

While he has spent the last few years as one of their main key defenders, McCartin was initially drafted as a forward out of Geelong. He recaptured some of that form in the early pre-season hit out, kicking the first two goals of the match simulation and linking up well with Sydney’s midfielders.

McDonald kicked a career-best 37 goals for the Swans in 26 matches last season, finishing as the club’s third-highest goal-kicker.

Originally published as Sydney track watch: All the match sim standouts as Chad and Corey Warner involved in heated exchange