Sydney's latest big fish target for life after Lance Franklin could be Western Bulldogs ace Aaron Naughton, with the Swans reportedly making contact with the key forward's party to gauge the contracted star's interest.
The Swans have been tipped to make an off-season splash in the next year or two as they prepare for club great Franklin to call time on his decorated career.
While the Harbour City club has a fledgling pack of promising forwards in Logan McDonald, Joel Amartey and Hayden McLean, the Swans could be looking to continue their trend of luring all-star talent to the red and white to bolster their attack.
Like Franklin, the Swans managed to land top-level forwards in Tony Lockett and Barry Hall in the past, and this year have been linked to off-contract key position talent in the form of GWS swingman Harry Himmelberg and Carlton's Tom De Koning.
Naughton, while contracted until the end of next year, is also said to be on the Swans' radar, according to The Herald Sun'sย Jon Ralph, amid widespread interest in the 23-year-old
As many as eight clubs are reported to have shown some level of interest in Naughton this year, however the high-flying forward - who is expected to gain continued interest from WA clubs - is seen likely to remain at the Kennel instead of a move elsewhere
"The Swans though are preparing for life without Buddy," Ralph toldย Fox Footy on Monday.
"They're one of at least eight clubs who've made contact with Aaron Naughton's camp to assess his interest. Naughton is contracted through to 2024, so could he be the next Buddy Franklin?
"It certainly hasn't progressed any further than just a discussion on that. They've got the cap space, they've certainly got the inclination.
"Naughton's happy at the Dogs, in the leadership group, I think at the end of the year he'll sign a contract extension but Sydney's getting busy."
Naughton is joined by teammate Tim English in being of interest to rival clubs while being signed for next season, with the Bulldogs ruckman to reach free agency in 2024.
For the Swans, they've looked to tie up their key assets for the long haul, announcing a new seven-year deal for defender Nick Blakey this week that has locked in the Academy graduate until the end of the 2031 season.
Sydney also have Isaac Heeney, Tom McCartin, Tom Papley and Callum Mills signed to deals for at least the next four years.
