AFL news: Chad Warner on contract call and Sydney Derby

Chad Warner received plenty of support after he made the call to stay a Swan. But one man sent a rather disappointed message. Plus, he and Finn Callaghan chat the Sydney Derby’s growth.

West Coast Eagles CEO Don Pyke might still be trying to convince Chad Warner he made the “wrong decision” by re-signing with the Swans, but the Sydney superstar is ready to embrace his responsibility to lead their season turnaround this weekend against the Giants.

After a moment of clarity during the Swans’ recent trip to Perth convinced him to stay in Sydney, the 23-year-old has been overwhelmed by the praise that has come his way since recommitting to remain in the red and white until the end of 2027.

But the Eagles worked hard to convince him otherwise, with Pyke one of many who tried to lure him back to Perth with the help of a round of golf. And while his pitch was evidently unsuccessful, it’s clear that in his own tongue-in-cheek way, Pyke is keen to remind Warner the door is still open.

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Don Pyke’s existing relationship with Warner from his time at the Swans wasn’t enough to get the midfielder to move back to Perth. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“Pykey was the only one who messaged me saying I made the wrong decision,” Warner said. “It wasn’t (about the golf course), it was more just not going back there.

“But nah, he still loves me anyway, we have a good relationship still, so it’s great.

“Everyone’s been very loving and supportive, which is great. And I think it’s just really great for everyone to be able to see ahead to the future now and kind of put that away and focus on winning now.”

Fresh off his recently minted two-year extension, Warner was one of the Swans’ best in the first half of their clash against the Gold Coast. But like the rest of the side, their dramatic drop off in the second half was a cause for concern, with Dean Cox conceding they “fell really short” of the standards they want to set.

Now, they’re staring down the barrel of a 2-6 start to the season. And as one of the most high-profile and soon-to-be highest-paid players at the Swans, he knows he has to be leading their fightback in the 30th edition of the Sydney Derby.

“Definitely I feel a lot of responsibility,” Warner said. “And I want to change that (form).

“I think Isaac and (James Rowbottom) would feel the same. All of us are senior players now. We do take a lot of that responsibility, but I think we’re going to do a lot of homework this week.

After showing glimpses of his best against Gold Coast, Warner wants to help lead the Swans’ bounce back against GWS. Picture: Getty Images

“We did it for a half against Gold Coast, which is good signs, but I think it’ll be a full game this week.

“I think the thing you take away is we have been playing good footy for quarters and halves. But the (hard) draw, you can’t use as much of an excuse because every team in the AFL these days are good, and every team has their day as well.

“The one positive we take is the kind of footy we have been playing in patches, and just making that more consistent.”

Even though it might have only been for a half of footy, Warner’s return to his best form for at least a stretch of the game against the Suns was a sign of the relief he is playing with now that his future his secured. And this week’s Sydney Derby is not only a chance to light a spark for the Swans’ season, but is also part of the reason he wanted to stay.

The Swans-Giants clash has become a showpiece event of the footy calendar, and while yet again it has not been given a prime time slot by the AFL, players like Warner feel it’s a massive part of the attraction of playing in NSW.

Both he, and Giants star Finn Callaghan, who also recently refuted a massive offer to return home to Victoria to stay in Sydney long-term, believe the match-up represents just how far Australian rules has come in the state, and the potential for growth in the future.

“Since I’ve been here, the improvement in Sydney footy in general, and the passion and noise from the crowd has been massive,” Warner said.

“It’ll be great to play in front of the SCG faithful that I’m going to be with for a while now and hopefully we can give them a show.

As two of the most talented young players in the competition, Callaghan and Warner are set to take centre stage in the Sydney Derby for many years to come. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“That’s something that I didn’t really want to go away from anytime soon as well. It shows how much people care about footy in Sydney now as well, which is great.

“Finn was saying he sees where the Giants are going at the moment as well. Playing in big games, like this Derby, when the teams are competing and doing well each year, that’s what it’s all about.”

“I feel like watching these games as a kid, you could always see it was a pretty fierce game,” Callaghan added. “Both teams always had a crack, and it’s a game you just want to be a part of … and one that we really want to win.

“The boys always speak about how the rivalry is growing, and it’s a really physical, finals-type game. It’s pretty evident when you watch it that the pressure is on the ball, and it’s a fierce contest.

“Sydney is a brilliant place to play football. Both teams have really good players, good cultures and are winning lots of games. The crowds are starting to grow up here as well … I’m sure it’s all a bit reason why Chad wanted to stay.”