Five off-season targets for EVERY AFL club: Sydney Swans

At the time of writing, the Swans have booked a home preliminary finals berth against either Collingwood or Fremantle, and are shaping as one of the clear favourites to win the flag.

Their young list that is brimming with talent has only served them well thus far, with the few older souls within the side only serving to complement the youthful exuberance that they emit.

It seems as though there couldn't be anyone that could improve their best 22 at this point in time, however, as time wears on there will be cracks that begin to appear and areas of the field will be highlighted that John Longmire and his recruitment staff will look to address.

However, there are some areas that could be addressed in terms of depth, namely in the ruck with 2021 recruit Peter Ladhams not having proved himself by any stretch of the imagination this year.

Tom Hickey isn't getting any younger at almost 32 years of age, meaning that sooner rather than later, a replacement should be identified and moved for.

Additionally, someone else to break the game open when things aren't going the Swans' way might be wise as well. It might not be so hard to guess who they might be.

Without further ado, let's take a look at who the Swans could go and poach this off-season.

Dustin Martin

As expected, you hear the word game-changer, and you think Dustin Martin.

This man needn't an introduction. Three flags, three Norm Smiths, four All-Australians, two Jack Dyer Medals and a Brownlow. He is a living legend amongst the AFL community.

However, with the likes of Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper reportedly on the way to Tigerland in 2023 and no one really knowing where the Tigers will get the cap space from, the most likely source should they have to push out a big name is Dustin Martin.

Yes, he hasn't been at his best since the start of season 2021, but a move to the harbour city and to a side on the cusp of winning premierships could be the perfect place to round out the final years of his career.

Add in the fact that Buddy Franklin's future is reportedly up in the air, and suddenly John Longmire could very well be considering 'Dusty' as their game breaker for the foreseeable future.

Ivan Soldo

'Big Ivan' was one of the Tigers' best in their 2019 premiership year and was looking to add another premiership to his CV prior to his horrible ACL injury in 2020.

Since then, the ruck has been on the outer at Tigerland and has failed to reclaim his starting spot within the side from club captain Toby Nankervis, and has since been linked with a move away to help facilitate the imminent Taranto/Hopper venture.

With one premiership to his name, Soldo knows what it takes to go all the way in September and would be able to pass on his wisdom to the young Swans, should they fail to end this finals campaign on a high.

Conversely, with Ladhams' Swans' career looking suspect at the minute, Soldo has a chance to go toe-to-toe with Hickey for the starting ruck role and string together a run of games in an aspiring side.

Josh Schache

The Doggies swingman has been a bit hit and miss over his time at AFL level, however, hasn't been able to nail down a spot in Luke Beveridge's side since his move to The Kennel in 2018.

The 25-year-old Murray Bushrangers product still hasn't found a native berth in any side that he has come across, with some consistency needed within his game to elevate him to the potential that saw him go Pick 2 in the 2015 national draft.

As he can play both defence and forward, John Longmire could deploy him where he sees fit, with his marking ability meaning that he is odds on to pluck one out of the pack when needed.

Should Lance Franklin decide to depart Sydney or retire, Schache wouldn't exactly be the solution, but rather a short-term fix that could do a job where required until he finds a permanent position to ply his trade in. With his age, he fits the young mould of the side and with the level of Sydney's coaching staff could finally realise his potential.

Jordan De Goey

Although it looks like De Goey is staying in Melbourne by either staying at the AIA Centre or venturing to the Saints, a change of pace outside the crucible that is Melbourne might be good for him.

Yes, his problems have been well documented, however, moving to an environment where AFL isn't the dominant sport in town may be exactly what he needs to do his best work.

As a restricted free agent, the Swans would have to trade for him and his salary demands might be extreme, however, what you are getting is a player who can excite and flip games on its head through his pure explosiveness and power.

Should the Saints and Pies fail to appease the 26-year-old, then a move to the youthful Swans might be an avenue for De Goey that is worth pursuing.

Sam Hayes

Arguably the least established name on this list, Sam Hayes would be a relatively risk-free investment for the Swans.

Although John Longmire did go to Hayes' current outfit in Port to poach Ladhams last year, the venture has so far been a lacklustre one, meaning that Longmire will have to find a new ruckman sooner or later if he doesn't wish to persist with the former Power ruck.

Hayes has only had limited game time at AFL level, only making his debut this year and stringing together seven appearances throughout 2022 before being dropped in favour of Jeremy Finlayson and the returning Scott Lycett.

The 23-year-old did impress however in his opportunity, and in a trade period where ruckmen will be moving all over the league, Hayes could be a name that finds somewhere else to ply his trade should reports be believed. 

At such a young age, Longmire and his ruck department will have many years to train him to play the Swans way, and a move away to be Hickey's understudy for the next few years might be the way forward for Hayes if he wants to further his footy career.