Sydney Swans have re-signed Academy product Sam Wicks on a new two-year deal

After a busy trade period, the Swans have got to work on retaining their young core with a local boy integral to their finals charge in 2023 putting pen to paper on a new deal.

Sam Wicks has put pen to paper on a new two-year deal. Picture: Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

The Swans have completed the last piece of their puzzle going into season 2024, with Sam Wicks finally signing a new deal.

The 24-year-old small forward has put pen to paper on a two-year contract to extend his stay in Sydney.

Despite reports suggesting a deal had been agreed, negotiations were prolonged after the off-contract Wicks had a change of management.

The two parties finally came to terms late this week with the Swans to confirm the new deal on Friday.

Sydney was always confident of wrapping up a new deal for the Academy product who started his footy career on the Northern Beaches at the Manly-Warringah Wolves.

Wicks only played 11 games this season but had a big impact in the back half of the year. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Wicks has played 50 games for the Swans since debuting for the club in 2020, bringing up the milestone in their elimination final loss to Carlton.

In that time, he has kicked 34 goals, including a bag of three in their important win against Essendon at Marvel Stadium towards the end of the year.

He only played 11 games this season but proved a vital cog in the Sydney side as they made a late charge for finals, winning six straight matches after he returned to the team in round 18.

Wicks led from the front with his forward pressure, leading the competition along with Toby Bedford for average tackles inside forward 50 (2.1). He also averaged 18.4 pressure acts a game.

Wicks’ energy was a key part of the pressure John Longmire’s side was able to build in their run to finals. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“I love it here in Sydney,” Wicks told this masthead in September.

“I think we’ve got a really tight group of fellas, and ideally we’d all love to stay and play together.”

Competition for spots in Sydney’s 22 will be higher than ever after the recruitment of Brodie Grundy, Taylor Adams, Joel Hamling and James Jordon.

Wicks will also face more pressure from the likes of Jacob Konstanty who will be looking to make his AFL debut next season.