AFL grand final: Swans star Chad Warner on finding a home in Sydney, his family connections

Chad Warner will be one of the most important players in Saturday’s grand final, but in an alternate universe he could have been playing for the rival Lions. Will they regret a recent trade?

Lachlan McKirdy

@LMcKirdy7

4 min read

September 23, 2024 - 4:28PM

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In an alternate universe, All-Australian midfielder Chad Warner could have been playing against the Swans in this Saturday’s grand final.

It’s commonly accepted that Warner is one of the biggest draft steals of the past five years. The talented WA product was selected with pick 39 by the Swans as they looked to solidify their midfield base with several young players.

He was the last of four youngsters taken by Sydney in the 2019 draft following Dylan Stephens (pick five), Will Gould (pick 26) and Elijah Taylor (pick 36). Warner is the last one standing at the club.

But the only reason the Swans had the selection to use on Warner was because of a trade with the Lions.

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Warner (R) was the last player the Swans selected in the 2019 AFL Draft. Picture: Tim Hunter

Brisbane got wind of the fact that their over-age Academy product Keidean Coleman had some interest from around the competition. As a result, they needed to be in a position to match a bid that might come his way.

One of many deals they negotiated during the draft was with the Swans. Sydney parted ways with pick 47, pick 59 and a future third-rounder. In return, the Swans received pick 38.

Essendon called Coleman’s name at pick 37 with the Lions eventually able to match the bid. Sydney’s pick 38 shifted back one spot to 39 which they used on Warner. The rest, as they say, is history.

The incredible trajectory of Warner’s career certainly isn’t one typically associated with a late-second-round selection, but he’s never been one to let his draft number define what he can achieve in the AFL.

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A pick swap for the Lions to land Coleman was the reason the Swans had pick 39 to use on Warner. Picture: Lachie Millard

“I obviously feel very privileged to be taken in the first place,” Warner said.

“But I think at the end of the day, all the boys and the coaching staff and that as well have given me the opportunities here to have that spot and the opportunity to work hard.

“That’s the main thing that I can hang my hat on, I’m always trying to get better. I’m always trying to compete with the other boys to improve and make myself get to that next level. I’m pretty happy with how I’ve done that.”

Warner has constantly been in the spotlight in 2024. While his form on the field is one thing, he has also been regularly linked with moves back to Western Australia despite not being off-contract until the end of next season.

Learning to deal with those added layers of pressure is a challenge he has always embraced. But this year, he has lent on the advice of teammates in a similar position both with their talent and contract negotiations.

“It helps having a lot of boys at this club who have been in the same boat, whether it’s this year or previous years,” Warner said. “Isaac, Errol, Logan, they’ve all been a part of that as well.

“So bouncing ideas off them, and I guess just having them to talk about your feelings and their experiences as well has helped a lot for me.”

But one of the biggest influences in keeping Warner grounded in Sydney has been his brother, Corey.

Corey and Chad Warner are loving their life on the other side of the country. Picture: Phil Hillyard

The oldest of four brothers, Chad has always led the way. Whether it was taking the leap into the AFL or just teaming up with his youngest sibling Troy for their physical, backyard games of hybrid sports.

“It’s pretty fair like that, they get pretty nasty at times,” Warner recalled.

“Our front yard was big … and then we invented this one game where you play football but score in the basketball hoops. It was pretty much just tackle basketball, that’s all it was.”

Now, Chad and Corey have found that same sense of belonging in Sydney.

They live together, along with Chad’s girlfriend Alice, walking distance from the beach. They’ve recreated that feeling of home with those backyard matches replaced by training days at the Swans, while days off are spent by the beach just like they would in Perth.

Warner is still very coy about his future – he provides the well-rehearsed answer of being “focused on the grand final” which makes sense given how important Saturday’s match against Brisbane is.

However, the way he speaks, you get a glimpse at an incredible level of comfort at the Swans.

Warner’s younger brother Ashton (C) was a visitor to a Swans training session in July 2023. Picture: Phil Hillyard

And with Ashton Warner looming in this year’s draft – “Without having to pump them up too much, I think they are going to be better,” Chad said of his two youngest brothers – maybe a third, talented Warner on the list could give him even more reason to stay in Sydney.

“I’ve been talking to (Leon Cameron) a little bit about it so hopefully they can get something done there,” Warner joked.

“I love home back there as well. But having Corey here is great. And the family come over a lot, so they kind of bring it over here, like they did on the weekend too.

“I think this year (Corey has) developed a lot and he’s made some great friendships and memories along the way, too.

“And for myself, it’s been really nice having him living together as well as my girlfriend. Going surfing all that together, just like you would at home. It’s such a great vibe to have.

“It’s something not many people get to experience. So I’m very grateful for that.”