Fremantle’s $1.6m-a-year plot to lure Chad Warner away from Sydney

An 18-month plan has been floated for Fremantle to land a Swans superstar on the most lucrative salary the AFL has ever seen.

Chad Warner is a hot commodity. Photo by Phil Hillyard

Fremantle is chasing Sydney superstar Chad Warner, with a big watch on their 2024 trade period actions which could allow them to make a huge play in 2025.

The 23-year-old is out of contract at the end of next year and recently put talks of a new deal on hold with the ladder leaders.

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After the decision to put talks on hold was reported, Warner said: “I’m loving it over in Sydney and I guess that time will come where myself, Alice my girlfriend and all that want to decide whatever we want to do with the future.”

Both West Coast and Fremantle are almost certain to try and lure the West Australian product home, and the Dockers may have the best combination of draft assets and a quality side for him to fit into.

Chad Warner has been compared to a young Dustin Martin. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

According to the Herald Sun’s Jay Clark, the Dockers are interested, and their huge 2024 draft hand of three first-round picks - their own plus Collingwood’s and Port Adelaide’s - could dictate whether they can satisfy Sydney in 2025, should Warner request a trade.

“There’s a big watch on his contract. We know he’s a WA boy and it does really seem that Fremantle is licking its lips at the prospect of getting Chad Warner,” Clark said on Fox Footy’s Midweek Tackle.

“I mean, how do the Swans keep all their superstar midfielders, all their players - Blakey, Mills, Heeney, Gulden and Warner, who’s not far off the No.1 player in the game right now.

“Fremantle have got three first round picks in this year’s draft. What they could do, and you’ve got to keep an eye on this at trade time, if they trade one, two or potentially even three of their current picks into next year’s draft, that gives them the war chest of picks.

“At least potentially two first-round draft picks to go to Sydney, pay Warner $1.5 to $1.6 million a year, satisfy Sydney with the two first rounders and Warner gets to come home.

“I think we’ll see them flag their intentions in this trade period, whether they shuffle back at least one or maybe two of those first-round picks.”

Chad Warner is a fan favourite. Photo by Phil Hillyard

A salary of $1.5-$1.6 million would be the largest in AFL history but given Warner’s youth and talent, and the upcoming rises in the salary cap, he perfectly suits the historic offer.

“The salary cap has uplifted what is it, 29 or 30 per cent? So clubs do have more space, we’ve got to get our heads around this, they can be aggressive,” Clark said.

“And you talk about tight salary caps, how does Sydney afford (all their stars)? We know Chad Warner loves the football club, we are absolutely clear on that, but will the homesickness be a factor? Will the pull of home going back to WA, they can dangle that carrot Fremantle, and with all those picks they can do the deal.”

However Clark’s colleague Jon Ralph declared: “He’d be insane to leave.

“Nothing trumps the folding stuff ... but the lure of premierships, he should be saying to himself in 23, I could win three premierships in the next eight years.

“So yes I’ll be well-paid, no way am I leaving Sydney!”

Originally published as Fremantle’s $1.6m-a-year plot to lure Chad Warner away from Sydney