Why Chad Warner re-signing is the first ‘priority’ for new Swans coach Dean Cox

Dean Cox has a lot to do in his first weeks as head coach of the Sydney Swans. But there’s no doubt what his first priority should be, making sure one of the biggest stars at the Swans stays put.

Could Chad Warner leave the Swans?. Photo by Phil Hillyard

Dean Cox’s first order of business as Sydney Swans head coach is set to be to convince superstar Chad Warner to re-sign with the club.

Warner is entering the last 12 months of his contract with the Swans amid speculation he could be eyeing a move back home to Western Australia with either the Eagles or Dockers.

The 23-year-old is a big admirer of Cox and the work he has done with the Swans midfield and stoppage group. Many around the club consider the football they played in 2024 their best in recent history and Cox played an important role in that progression.

The Swans will be attempting to fend off the competition to keep Warner in Sydney. Picture: Adam Trafford/AFL Photos via Getty Images

However, the Swans won’t have it all their own way in their pursuit. Warner has spent time back in Perth over the past fortnight which included a round on the golf course with Don Pyke and Kieren Jack – two people he would know from their time at the Swans but are now key figures at the West Coast Eagles.

The Eagles appear to be in the box seat over the Dockers if Warner does request a trade at the end of next season. The club has two first-round draft picks already next year thanks to the trade capital they received for Tom Barrass and appear to have the salary cap space to offer him a deal well in excess of a million dollars a season.

However, the Swans have shown recently they’ve been able to re-sign players despite strong links away from the club. While Errol Gulden and James Rowbottom were unlikely to leave this year, the fact Sydney inked new deals for the pair as well as Logan McDonald, Ollie Florent and Will Hayward – all reportedly on contracts less than they could have received elsewhere – is a positive sign for the culture the club is building.

It’s clear Warner has formed strong relationships in Sydney, particularly with his best mate Errol Gulden. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“For us, it’s about trying to make sure that Chad is as happy as he possibly can be, which he is,” Cox said on SEN WA on Wednesday.

“We’ll speak to Chad throughout the process to make sure that hopefully (we) can get it done as soon as possible.

“Chad is at the top of our priority now. He’s an amazing footballer, one I’ve got a really strong relationship with.

“He’s really enjoying his time in Sydney. That’s the role of our footy club and myself now, to try and make sure we can get Chad locked away as quickly as possible and create the environment he wants to be a part of going forward.”

Warner has not yet returned to training ahead of his sixth season at the club, with only first to fourth-year players required for the first week of pre-season.

The midfielder shared a picture on his Instagram story on Tuesday with Geelong’s Rhys Stanley suggesting the pair may have had a training session together ahead of their respective returns to pre-season.

Warner’s manager, Luke Morabito, said in an interview with SEN WA last week that the Swans’ premiership heartache could also play a role in his next contract.

He has been involved in their last two grand final defeats, including the 2022 loss to Geelong where he was the Swans’ best player on the day.

It’s why many believe Sydney’s best option could be to offer Warner a two-year extension that will see him through to free agency at the end of 2027 and allow him to return to WA from 2028 onwards.

Warner earned his first All-Australian blazer after a brilliant season in 2024. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Cox consoles Warner following the Swans’ 2022 grand final defeat. Picture: Phil Hillyard

With a young list that is clearly still in a premiership window, it could be an enticing prospect for Warner and his Swans teammates who know they have still not reached their pinnacle.

And if the Eagles are his eventual landing place, it would also ensure Warner is joining them in three years when they have had more time to develop their young talent and rise out of the bottom four.

“He hasn’t made up his mind yet in terms of what he’s going to do,” Morabito said.

“The conversation we’ve had is you get back to pre-season, pre-Christmas, see how everything feels.

“He’s a really loyal guy and the guys in Sydney mean a hell of a lot to him.

“Obviously, the fact that they haven’t won one yet and they’ve been there twice kills him a fair bit. But he’s not going to rush into making a decision.”

Originally published as Why Chad Warner re-signing is the first ‘priority’ for new Swans coach Dean Cox