A secret meeting between Chad Warner and West Coast officials came to light as one of the AFL's hottest properties prepares to make a decision on his future.
Warner will enter 2025 in the last year of his current contract, as the Eagles, and fellow Western Australian club Fremantle begin devising plans to lure him home.
Reports indicated that the 23-year-old had met with West Coast CEO Don Pyke and former teammate Kieren Jack on the golf course, with the latter joining the club in an off-field role earlier this year.
Yes, Chad Warner played golf with @WestCoastEagles CEO Don Pyke & WC Head of Strategy/Innovation Kieren Jack on Sunday.
A few ex-workmates catching up, or a chat about the future?
Chad's prized signature a big watch for 2025.
First revealed by Hamish Brayshaw on @backchat__
— Ryan Daniels (@FootyRhino) November 27, 2024
The Swans are confident they can keep the 23-year-old in New South Wales, especially after retaining a host of key players throughout the year.
New coach Dean Cox - who replaced John Longmire earlier this week - said onย RSN that keeping Warner in the red and white was a "priority" for the club.
"Yeah, certainly," Cox said.
"I think with Chad, it's always been about how do we retain our best talent (and he ) certainly fits into that.
"Last year, we were really strong as a football club about trying to retain James Rowbottom, Will Hayward, Ollie Florent and Logan McDonald, and now it's Chad.
"There's always players coming out of contract, and none bigger than Chad.
"It's an important job for the footy club to try and keep this list together, and he is a very high priority."
The 23-year-old has played 85 games for the Swans, including the two grand final drubbings in 2022 and 2024.
