Sydney Swans de-list six players as Sam Reid closes in on new deal

The Swans have prepared for a busy trade period by delisting six players, but look set to hand one of their most experienced stars a new one-year deal.

Sam Reid is closing in on a deal to extend his stay in Sydney. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Sydney has delisted tagger Ryan Clarke a year after he featured in the Swans’ grand final side against Geelong.

The Swans have signalled their intent to be busy this trade period by delisting six players.

Clarke, former top-40 draftee Will Gould, Hugo Hall-Kahan, Cameron Owen, Lachlan Rankin and Marc Sheather have not been offered contracts beyond this season.

However, out-of-contract Sam Reid may be offered a new deal by the club as he looks to extend his stay in Sydney into a 15th season.

After missing the entire season with a hamstring injury, 31-year-old Reid has been rehabbing strongly towards the back end of the year. It’s believed the club is leaning towards a one-year deal to give their forward line more experience.

Reid has played 181 games for the Swans since making his debut in 2010 and is one of two remaining members of their 2012 premiership-winning team alongside Luke Parker, who was the sub.

After five seasons in Sydney, Clarke’s (R) time at the Swans has come to an end. Picture: Jason McCawley/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

Clarke, 26, is the biggest name among the delistings. He joined the Swans from North Melbourne at the end of 2018, playing 57 games for Sydney across five seasons.

However, he was never a consistent member of their best 22, making frequent appearances as the sub and was often the man to fall out of the team.

Gould and Sheather are the other two players with AFL experience to be released. The pair debuted this season but only played a handful of games. Gould has been a popular selection in SuperCoach teams despite only breaking into the team this year, while Sheather was particularly unlucky with an injury curtailing the second half of his year.

“Ryan, Will, Marc, Lachie, Hugo and Cam have all made valuable contributions to the Swans,” Charlie Gardner, the Swans’ footy manager said.

“We are very grateful for their hard work and dedication to our football program.

“On behalf of everyone at the club, we wish each player all the very best for their futures and we hope they continue to work towards maximising their football potential.”

Will Gould could never lock down his place in the Swans’ 22. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Meanwhile, Academy product Sam Wicks is also expected to put pen to paper on a new deal with the Swans.

The 24-year-old is an established member of Sydney’s best 22 and is developing into one of the best pressure forwards in the competition. It’s likely a new deal for Wicks will be confirmed towards the end of the trade period.

Former No.5 draft pick Dylan Stephens was also off-contract but informed the club after their season ended that he wanted to be traded.

Sydney needed to open up list spots to match their aggressive start to the trade period. They managed to lock in two deals in the opening days of free agency with the signing of James Jordon from Melbourne and Joel Hamling from Fremantle.

They will now set their sights on securing deals for both Brodie Grundy and Collingwood vice-captain Taylor Adams, who confirmed on the weekend his intent to be traded to the Swans.