The Sydney Swans are thrilled to have secured four new players to the club through the 2023 Continental Tyres AFL Trade Period.
James Jordon, Joel Hamling, Brodie Grundy and Taylor Adams have all been welcomed to the club for season 2024 and beyond.
Sydney Swans Executive GM – Football, Charlie Gardiner says he was satisfied with the calibre of player the club have brought in.
“We had a positive trade period. We’ve brought four new players to the club, all of whom we think will make valuable additions to the group”, says Gardiner.
At 22 years old, James Jordon is the Swans youngest recruit, bringing three years’ experience from his time at Melbourne, including the 2022 Premiership team.
“He comes with a bit of experience, including in a premiership team. He’s a hard runner and will play through our midfield and on the wing. We think he will add to our group in that area of the ground”, says Gardiner.
Joel Hamling will continue his career in the red and white, after he was traded from Fremantle. A premiership player for the Bulldogs in 2016, Hamling will provide support to the backline following the departure of Paddy McCartin.
“I think Joel can play a really important role for us back there, he also brings a fair bit of experience. He played in a premiership team at the Bulldogs. We think he will really help the development of some of our young developing defenders”, says Gardiner.
The addition of Brodie Grundy will help the Swans midfield in 2024.
“I think he will have a huge impact, with Tom’s (Hickey) retirement we needed support in our ruck division. We think Brodie can come in and help lead our midfield, certainly provide a big presence at centre bounce”, said Gardiner.
Grundy is a two-time All-Australian, who has played 194 AFL games and competed in four finals campaigns, including the 2018 Grand Final. He will join the Swans with a wealth of experience in the game.
Midfielder Taylor Adams was the Swans final trade for 2023. Adams brings 10 years of experience with him, was an All-Australian selection in 2020 and has played in five finals campaigns.
“We felt with the demographics of our midfield, with the youngest midfield in the competition, an experienced head in that area of the ground, and importantly a leader”, says Gardiner on the trade of Adams.
“I think he’ll add not only on-field, but off-field in the locker room and he will certainly help Luke (Parker), Dane (Rampe) and Callum (Mills) in terms of leading our squad”.
With 75% of the Swans players being from interstate, including the four new recruits, the club is working with the players and their families to make them feel welcome at the club and a new city.
“We spend a lot of time thinking about integrating them into our club, supporting their transition into the club, welcoming their families, and their wider networks, to make them feel at home in Sydney,” says Gardiner.
“Brett Kirk, and our player wellbeing team, put a lot of support around those guys, in terms of finding accommodation, facilitating inductions into the club.”
“Players will also get around those players, induct them as we do with all players. We will then introduce them to our wider club sponsors and networks to make them as comfortable as possible in Sydney.”
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