In the absence of an injury-depleted side, several young players have continued to impress in the first half of the 2023 AFL season.
Speaking in an exclusive Premiership Club update earlier this month, senior coach John Longmire praised the likes of young guns Chad Warner, Errol Gulden and Hayden McLean for taking another step forward in their early careers.
“Chad Warner, Errol Gulden; the guys that had a good last year have continued to progress which has been really pleasing,” Longmire exclusively told Sydney Swans Media.
“Logan McDonald was taking some positive steps before he got injured and Hayden McLean has been quite consistent.”
Warner is averaging 25.4 disposals a game and has kicked seven majors for the red and white. His performance has been recognised across the code earning 35 coaches votes in 2023 - the most for any Swans player so far.
Similarly, Errol Gulden is averaging 24.3 disposals and has scored eight goals.
Logan McDonald had scored 16 goals in nine games before sustaining a significant medial ankle sprain in the match against Fremantle.
The Sydney Swans have notched five wins in 2023 after conceding last minute goals to GWS and Port Adelaide. Longmire described those games as “costly” reiterating the need for consistency heading into the last half of the season.
“We need to play a competitive brand of football over that four quarters. That’s what we’re aiming for,” he adds.
“We’ve seen some signs of it in recent times, but we need to keep pressing.”
The Swans will travel to Queensland in Round 14 to clash with the Brisbane Lions on Friday night.
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