'Short term' future of Chad Warner top of recruitment to do list for Dean Cox

Dean Cox remains hopeful the Swans will retain the signature of Chad Warner as the midfielder continues to weigh up a potential move to Western Australia.

Warner has yet to seal his future in the red and white colours beyond 2025 with interest in service already beginning to rumble.

The Sydney young gun has been linked to make the move back to his home state in Western Australia, having met with Eagles CEO Don Pyke while on holidays in Perth.

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The Swans had reportedly tabled the 23-year-old a deal early in 2024 but have yet to secure his signature, with all focus now placed on the immediate short-term acquisition of the star.

The club's success rate in securing the talent of several key stars is a promising sign for their quest to keep Warner, having locked in Will Hayward, and Ollie Florent until the end of 2029.

James Rowbottom and Logan McDonald also agreed to deals that will keep them in Sydney until 2028, but Warner's camp have yet to make a decision.

"Chad is a really high priority of this football club," Cox said.

"Not only the way he plays, but obviously his contract status and where it sits.

"Now is a chance to sit down with him over the coming period and see where his head is at.

"We want to make sure that he's part of this football club and that he performs for this football club.

"No doubt he will (perform), and then what the future holds, that's what we've got to try and sort out in the short term."

Swans skipper Callum Mills remained hopeful that the club would be able to entice Warner to stay on in the Sydney jersey like they have done with other team members.

"The environment you create is really important, but it's not only for Chad, it's for everyone else in the building," Mills said.

"He's obviously a really vital part of our team, but we do this for everyone."

With two grand final defeats in three years the prospect of a new chapter may be appealing for Warner, but Mills insisted players will be cautious to ensure they move on from the past devastation.

"It was a tough week, but I think that makes you as a person," he said.

"I think you've got to be careful holding onto that (hurt) for too long.

"You've got to be able to separate yourself from it and move forward."