Sydney Swans

Every AFL team’s best 23 for the 2024 season: Sydney Swans

The Swans bolstered their list this off-season. How does their best squad shape up?

Published by
Jack Jovanovski

After storming to a Grand Final berth in 2022, the Swans would surely have considered a large portion of their 2023 campaign a disappointment.

Sydney needed every ounce of its late-season surge to qualify for finals action, with an elimination final loss to Carlton bringing their September venture to a quick end.

In response, the Swans' list management committee sought to bolster the club's list; making numerous additions all around the field, including snatching marquee veterans Brodie Grundy and Taylor Adams, who were once teammates at Collingwood.

Sydney also introduced ex-Demon James Jordon and former Fremantle defender Joel Hamling as free-agent acquisitions, while, conversely, the Swans offloaded Dylan Stephens via a trade with North Melbourne and farewelled champion Lance Franklin and veteran ruckman Tom Hickey to retirement.

Developmental ruckman Will Green, Academy-linked midfielder Caiden Cleary, and No. 53 choice Patrick Snell were welcomed via the 2023 National Draft in November.

We assessed Sydney's list and produced our projected best 23 for the Swans as they prepare for a telling 2024 campaign.

BEST 23s:

ADELAIDE CROWSBRISBANE LIONS, CARLTON, COLLINGWOOD, ESSENDON, FREMANTLEGEELONG CATSGOLD COAST SUNSGWS GIANTS, HAWTHORN, MELBOURNENORTH MELBOURNEPORT ADELAIDERICHMOND, ST KILDA.

Defenders

Veterans Dane Rampe and Jake Lloyd will continue to lead John Longmire's squad from behind the ball, with a large burden set to fall on the shoulders of key defender Tom McCartin, whose brother, Paddy, unfortunately succumbed to retirement following persistent concussion issues.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 29: Tom McCartin of the Swans looks on during the round seven AFL match between Sydney Swans and Greater Western Sydney Giants at Sydney Cricket Ground, on April 29, 2023, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Hamling's fresh presence figures to play a key part in filling the void left by the departed McCartin, with the ex-Docker bringing premiership pedigree from his time at the Kennel.

Nick Blakey, Braeden Campbell, and Oliver Florent are apt rebounders from half-back, while veteran Harry Cunningham lingers as depth or a tactical substitute option.

Aaron Francis presents as needed depth at a minimum, with the long-serving Lewis Melican representing Sydney's other key-position defending option.

Midfielders

The dynamic and hard-nosed Chad Warner is the marquee name among this mix, with the additions of Adams and Jordon certain to add to an already-formidable combination that includes the evergreen Luke Parker, who continues to co-captain the Swans alongside fellow onballer Callum Mills and the aforementioned Rampe.

The inclusion of Grundy is obviously the central talking point of Sydney's 2024 engine room conversation, with the ex-Demon's prospective chemistry with this ball-getting group a storyline to monitor throughout next season.

James Rowbottom and Angus Sheldrick appear poised to feature regularly as inside options while star-in-the-making Errol Gulden and fellow outside-runner Justin McInerney figure to again occupy the flanks in 2024.

Academy darling Cleary is unlikely to feature frequently, if at all, in his maiden season, but his prospects as a two-way hard-runner shape promisingly for his Harbour City future.

Forwards

The shoes left by the departed Franklin are daunting, to say the least. However, fortunately, the Swans aren't short on key forward options.

Logan McDonald, Hayden McLean, and Joel Amartey all figure to feature prominently throughout next year's campaign forward of the ball, with each of the three possessing adept contested marking and goal-kicking capabilities.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 07: Hayden McLean of the Swans is tackled during the round eight AFL match between Collingwood Magpies and Sydney Swans at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on May 07, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Mid-season draft pick-up Jack Buller shapes as another up-and-coming key-position attacking asset, while ex-Port Adelaide ruck-forward Peter Ladhams also remains on standby.

The smaller Tom Papley, Isaac Heeney, and Will Hayward are equally as dangerous and can instantly make their presence felt at the foot of the contest.

Meanwhile, there's a watch on excitable 2022 draftee Jacob Konstanty, who could burst onto the scene in a head-turning fashion next season.

Final 23

FB: Jake Lloyd, Tom McCartin, Dane Rampe.
HB: Callum Mills, Joel Hamling, Nick Blakey.
C: Errol Gulden, Chad Warner, Braeden Campbell.
HF: Isaac Heeney, Joel Amartey, Taylor Adams.
FF: Hayden McLean, Logan McDonald, Tom Papley.
FO: Brodie Grundy, James Rowbottom, Luke Parker.
I/C: Will Hayward, Justin McInerney, James Jordon, Oliver Florent.
SUB: Harry Cunningham.

Also in the mix: Robbie Fox, Sam Wicks, Aaron Francis, Jacob Konstanty, Lewis Melican, and Jack Buller.

Published by
Jack Jovanovski