It's unlikely Sydney will be as active as they were last year in utilising trade and free agency levers to better their list, with the flag favourites having identified the needs and targets in 2023 that have lifted them into premiership contention.
With two first-round draft picks in hand there is sure to be some excitement through the off-season, with November's intake a great chance to add top-line young talent to their squad for the long term after adding Will Green and Caiden Cleary through the first-round last year.
But a look at how they can improve their list immediately through the player movement window might suggest some key defensive reinforcements could go a long way to support their premiership claim for the coming years.
Behind Tom McCartin and Lewis Melican, John Longmire's depth isn't as strong as everywhere else on the ground, with recruit Joel Hamling now utilised as a key forward at the lower level and ex-Bomber Aaron Francis struggling at times while 2023 Mid-Season Draft addition Harry Arnold has continued to face setbacks in his short time in the red and white.
So, considering the Swans' potential list needs, we've named five players Sydney could target in the off-season.
OTHER TRADE TARGETS:ย ADELAIDE,ย BRISBANE,ย CARLTON,ย COLLINGWOOD, ESSENDON,ย FREMANTLE, GEELONG, GOLD COAST, GWS, HAWTHORN, MELBOURNE, NORTH MELBOURNE, PORT ADELAIDE, RICHMOND, ST KILDAย
5. Denver Grainger-Barras
A successful move for young Hawk Denver Grainger-Barras would mean the Swans would be home to Picks 4, 5 and 6 from the 2020 National Draft, having recruited Logan McDonald and Braeden Campbell in the two selections before Hawthorn secured the Western Australian.
Grainger-Barras has struggled to reach the expectations set upon him so far in the brown and gold, managing 28 games over his four seasons with the club, with his 2024 season so far hindered by a pre-season toe injury that required surgery and months on the sidelines.
A new home might be what's best for Grainger-Barras, with a move to the Swans and seeing him link up with ex-teammate McDonald in the Harbour City.
The value the Hawks might set on Grainger-Barras might be hard to read, given the potential he brought with him to Waverley four years ago, but he has struggled to show enough at the top level since.
