The Swans were one of the stories of 2022, yet when it came to the biggest game of the year, they had nothing left in the tank. Unfortunately for them, the recent trend for teams who lose heavily in the Grand Final is not promising for their chances in season 2023.
Yet with a deep squad, an exciting blend of youth and experience and arguably the best club culture in the AFL, there's no doubting they'll be back at some stage soon, if not this season.
But the question being posed now by the brains trust at the Swans will surely be; where can we improve? A club that prides itself not only on their much-vaunted culture, but on their extraordinary ability to find value in the market via trade and free agency acquisitions.
Examples of shrewd recruiting can be found in their history going back at least two decades. Look no further than Paddy McCartin, thought to be lost to AFL football, he has a new lease on life and is playing excellent football for the 'Bloods'.
Yet for all their efforts, the work is never done and the Sydney hierarchy will know this, just as they know bouncing back from a heavy defeat on the last Saturday in September is a massive challenge.
Right now they'll be asking themselves where are their deficiencies and what should they be looking for to ensure they don't sacrifice everything to remain a genuine top-four contender for the coming seasons.
Ideally, as with most clubs, a key forward, a versatile ruck, a key defender and an elite wingman would be on the wish list. Yet the reasoning and thinking at Sydney is a bit different to most and they have frequently found alternative avenues to success.
See Also: If every AFL team could steal one player: Port Adelaide
With all of that in mind, we take a look at four prospects we believe could slot straight into this Sydney side with no strings attached.
Here are four options the Swans could 'steal'.
4. Brandon Starcevich
Perhaps a left-field choice, Brandon Starcevich has come on in leaps and bounds in recent seasons as a lockdown defender capable of quelling the game's most dangerous mid-sized and small forwards. While he may not be a glamourous option, every team needs players willing to do the dirty work and the lockdown defender fits the mould perfectly.
He was arguably stiff to miss the 44-man All-Australian squad, having averaged 15.6 disposals, 6.0 intercepts, 4.8 marks and 2.1 tackles in season 2022. However, it was his one-on-one work which impressed most, with a contested defensive loss rate of just 13.8 per cent. That figure is a better return than the likes of Tom Stewart or Brayden Maynard.
That's not to say he's a better player than either of those two, merely it highlights how important he has become to the Lions and how he perhaps doesn't get the plaudits he deserves. He's the kind of no-frills player who would thrive in the famous 'Bloods' set-up.
With their senior leaders in defence in Dane Rampe and Jake Lloyd now in the veteran category, Starcevich could continue to develop while learning from two of the best in the game before they retire and pass the torch.
It's the kind of forward-planning the Swans are renowned for and would ensure continuity of experience in their well-oiled defensive unit.
