Sydney Swans veteran Jarrad McVeigh will play on for a 16th season after signing a one-year contract extension.
The 32-year-old, who is set to play his 299th game in Saturday’s home Elimination Final against Essendon, has returned to top form in season 2017, averaging 20 disposals from his past nine games.
A dual Club Champion, All-Australian, premiership winner and former co-captain, McVeigh will continue to add poise, experience and leadership to Sydney’s backline until at least the end of 2018.
McVeigh will transition into a coaching role with the Swans after he retires from football. A decision on his playing future post-2018 will be made at the end of next year.
Sydney Swans Head of Football Tom Harley says it’s a great outcome.
“We are extremely happy to announce that Jarrad will be continuing his playing career at the Swans in 2018,” Harley said.
“Jarrad’s on-field contribution to the team during the second half of the season has been significant whilst maintaining his leadership excellence as a key member of our leadership group.
“The Club and Jarrad have been in constant dialogue during the season about his future both in a playing sense and also post-football.
“To that point, we are also delighted that Jarrad has committed to transitioning into a coaching role at Sydney post his playing career.
“Jarrad is a premiership captain, dual Club Champion and a great custodian of the Swans and we are rapt to have secured him as part of our future.”
McVeigh says he’s excited to play out his career in red and white.
“I’m proud to say that I’ve signed on and I’ll be able to run out with the boys for another year,” McVeigh said.
“It’s exciting to have another year as a Sydney Swans player ahead of me, but also to be able to continue working with the younger players coming through.
“We’ve got some really exciting young talent and they’re only going to get better – I’m rapt to have the opportunity to continue helping them along the way.”
McVeigh joins Isaac Heeney, Callum Mills, Sam Reid, Will Hayward, Zak Jones, Oliver Florent, Jordan Dawson, Lewis Melican and Darcy Cameron in recommitting to Sydney in 2017.
Jarrad McVeigh statistics
DOB: April 7, 1985
Games: 298
Goals: 198
Draft history: Pick 5, 2002 National Draft
AFL Debut: Round 1, 2004 v Brisbane
Sydney co-captain (2011-2016)
Sydney Premiership (2012)
Sydney Club Champion (2008, 2013)
Sydney Players’ Player (2013)
Sydney Best Finals Player (2013)
Sydney Best Clubman (2014)
Sydney Most Improved (2006)
All-Australian (2013)
International Rules Series (2010, 2014)
Guernsey No. 3
