Going into the 2021 season, very little was expected from the Sydney Swans in terms of challenging for a finals spot. And yet, that's exactly what they did.
Despite falling short in their single finals appearance last year, Sydney was lauded league-wide for coming out of seemingly nowhere to finish among the top eight.
Over the course of the off-season, the Swans added Peter Ladhams from Port Adelaide via trade and offered an AFL lifeline to 2014 No. 1 pick Patrick McCartin, brother of Swans defender, Tom. But it came as a cost, as they lost Jordan Dawson to Adelaide and George Hewett to Carlton.
In any case, senior coach John Longmire will be pushing his men to duplicate the success they had in 2021.
Off-Season Moves
Ins: Peter Ladhams (Port Adelaide), Patrick McCartin (Supplemental Selection Period), Angus Sheldrick (National Draft), Matthew Roberts (National Draft), Corey Warner (National Draft), Lachlan Rankin (National Draft).
Outs: Jordan Dawson (Adelaide Crows), George Hewett (Carlton), Kaiden Brand (delisted), Malachy Carruthers (delisted), Sam Gray (delisted), Matthew Ling (delisted).
Breakout Player
After finishing the 2021 season on a high note and a couple of confident pre-season outings, 2022 has all the makings of a Justin McInerney breakout year.
Last season, McInerney amassed an average of 18.1 disposals, 5.4 marks and three inside-50s per contest, including a highlight performance against the Suns where he notched 29 possessions and an astonishing 13 marks.
Defender
Disposals
Marks
Rebound50s
Playing off half-back or on a wing, the Northern Knights product will look to start 2022 how he ended 2021: providing a link-up running option and showcasing his crisp disposal.
