The Sydney Swans are pleased to have signed up key talent towards the end of the 2018 season and will now focus on key needs during the trade period.

In a look towards the future, Sydney locked in three of its emerging stars during the season with the signing of Jake Lloyd, Aliir Aliir and Sam Naismith.

Lloyd confirmed his rise on Friday night by taking out the Bob Skilton Medal fresh from signing a new four-year deal with the Club.

Key defender Aliir began to find strong form in the second half of the season and is locked away until at least the end of the 2021 season.

Naismith suffered an ACL injury in the pre-season which saw him sit on the sideline for the entire season following his breakthrough 2017 season.

Head of Football Tom Harley said the Club had looked to lock in key talent ahead of the trade period and would now look to address specific needs.

“We had a clear strategy in the back half of the year to re-sign some of our key players as well in Jake, Aliir and Sam,” Harley said.

“You have to be agile and we will keep our options open going forward.”

Harley confirmed the Swans had strong interest in North Melbourne midfielder Ryan Clarke who may find his way to Sydney in a straight swap for out-of-contract defender Nic Newman.

“We are aware of North’s interest in Nic and they are aware of our interest in Ryan,” Harley said.

“It would be convenient, but those straight swaps don’t happen quite as much as they should perhaps.

“Time will tell.”

Gary Rohan and Dan Hannebery both look set to make their way to Geelong and St Kilda respectively following the opening days of discussions.

“If we cut to the chase the discussions I was involved in today were St Kilda with Dan and working with Geelong on Gary Rohan,” Harley said.

“They are all progressing in the right space and we don’t see anything too untoward with both of those.

“I am sure there will be further discussions later on this afternoon and as the days progress.”