'He's passionate': Chad Warner just gave two fascinating indications that a fresh Swans deal could be imminent
Sydney gun Chad Warner is yet to silence the relentless chatter around his AFL future, whether by re-committing with the Swans or signing with a club in his native Western Australia.
But amid the euphoria of Sydney's first win of the season, secured via a three-point victory over Fremantle in Perth on Sunday, the off-contract All-Australian gave two fascinating indications that a fresh deal with the Swans could be imminent.
The first indication was the spirited tugging of his Swans guernsey at the sounding of the full-time siren. The Swans edged the Dockers 9.14 (68) to 9.11 (65) to avoid crashing to an 0-3 start — and Warner was pumped.
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The second indication, recorded and posted to the Swans' social media channels, was the moment he leapt into the arms of coach Dean Cox in the sheds and gave the club's new mentor a big slap on the back.
Cox grinned when prodded on the first indication.
"He's a passionate person, he's passionate about the footy club," Cox said in his press conference.
Chad Warner tugs at his Swans guernsey after Sydney pipped Fremantle by three points in Perth to secure its first win of the season. Getty
"For me, I want to make sure, first of all, that Chad plays his best footy for this football club, and he enjoys his time whilst he's here. Hopefully that is for longer; I've said that all the way through.
"You want to keep your best players and Chad's one of those.
"That's a process we're continuing to work through, but he is passionate, he loves his time at the footy club and he loves playing with his teammates."
Warner racked up 26 possessions, including 10 contested, gained 727 metres and amassed 10 inside 50s.
The 23-year-old chalked up 10 of his touches in a colossal final term.
"When you need your best players to stand up that's what they do," Cox said.
"I thought his impact in the last quarter was profound."
Chad Warner leaps into Dean Cox's arms after the Swans' win over the Dockers. Sydney Swans
Speculation that Warner could become an Eagle hit overdrive when he was spotted playing golf in the off-season with Don Pyke and Kieren Jack, West Coast's chief executive and head of strategy and innovation. Pyke was an assistant coach at Sydney between 2021 and 2023, while Jack, a 256-game Swans champion, took up a position in the club's commercial department after playing his final match in 2019.
The Warner rumour mill again exploded when it was revealed later in the summer that he'd bought a multimillion-dollar home in Perth.
"It looks like a nice pad," grinned Swans teammate Errol Gulden at the time.
"Obviously a nice holiday house for him."
Going by the scenes after the Swans' pulsating victory over the Dockers, a "nice holiday house" could indeed be all it is.
