Sydney is "brimming with optimism" that highly sought-after midfielder Chad Warner will re-sign at the club amid heavy interest from Western Australia.
Both West Coast and Fremantle have been preparing their arms to help land Warner, but after a superb performance against the latter in Round 2, the 23-year-old appears poised to stay.
Warner has lost two grand finals with the Swans in the past three seasons, and is likely to renew his contract for another two campaigns, taking him until the end of 2027 and free agency.
A deal is reportedly around the mark of $1.3-1.4 million.
Two years at around $1.35-1.4million a season would make Warner the best paid player in the comp next year. And then allow him to get probably the biggest ever free agency deal as well in 2027. He can't lose. West Coast has chased harder than Fremantle given cap and picks. https://t.co/4ZgZpVu4qE
โ Callum Twomey (@CalTwomey) March 25, 2025
"Sydney have been brimming with optimism for a couple of weeks now that they'll get their man," Herald Sun reporter Jon Ralph told Fox Footy's Midweek Tackle.
"I think they were very confident (before Sunday's win over Fremantle). When he kicked some of those extraordinary goals and had such a great last quarter, they were even more confident. And when he leapt into the arms of Dean Cox ... I reckon Dean would've pulled the contract out and said: โDo you want to sign it right now?!'
"So really confident on that two-year deal. So he gets to free agency by the end of 2027. He's the bloke that could be signing $2 million a year deals from then."I don't think there's any way now he's going to West Coast."
It is understood that following the win at Optus Stadium on Sunday, Warner spent time with his family and agent in Western Australia to help land on the life-changing decision.
"If Chad Warner hasn't signed in the next two or three weeks it would be a surprise to those around this situation," Channel 7's Mitch Cleary said.
