Fremantle planning for massive signing
Fremantle have made Sydney superstar Chad Warner their number one target. The 23-year-old is out of contract at the end of the 2025 season.
“There’s a big watch on his contract. We know he’s a WA boy and it does really seem that Fremantle is licking its lips at the prospect of getting Chad Warner,” Herald Sun’s Jay Clark said on Fox Footy’s Midweek Tackle this week.
The ladder leaders Sydney are hoping to keep him beyond then, but they may not be able to compete with Dockers’ offer.
Fremantle reportedly are ready to sign Warner to a $1.6m-a-year contract. If signed, Warner would be the highest paid player in AFL history.
According to Clark, Warner is worth that massive deal thanks to the recent salary cap increase.
“The salary cap has uplifted—what is it, 29 or 30 per cent? So clubs do have more space, we’ve got to get our heads around this, they can be aggressive,” the reporter said.
2025 trade on the table
Fremantle’s first plan is to sign Chad Warner at the end of the 2025 season when his contract with Sydney expires. However, some reports say that, if the player is willing to make it happen, Dockers could pursue a trade with Swans before the start of the 2025 season.
The Herald Sun’s Jay Clark says Dockers could trade their three 2024 first-round draft picks to get Warner before the 2025 season. However, Fremantle would only consider this option if the Swans star requests a trade.
Even if he makes this request, Sydney might not be willing to let Warner go. The Swans have a long history of keeping their star midfielders.
Warner comments on contract talks
With just 18 months left on his contract, Sydney have made re-signing Chad Warner one of their top priorities before the 2025 AFL season. Unfortunately for Swans, Warner has pulled out of contract renegotiation talks with Sydney.
When asked about the reports claiming that contract talks were on hold, Warner said “I’m loving it over in Sydney and I guess that time will come where myself, Alice, my girlfriend,and all that want to decide whatever we want to do with the future.”
While Warner did not say too much, other reports claim he is very keen on a return to Western Australia.
“We know Chad Warner loves the football club (Sydney), we are absolutely clear on that, but will homesickness be a factor?” Jay Clark asked this week.
“With the pull of home going back to WA, they can dangle that carrot Fremantle, and with all those picks they can do the deal.”
As Clark explained, Fremantle lead the race, but West Coast are also expected to try to sign Warner. More clubs could also express their interest once Warner makes it clear he’s open to leaving Swans. This story is one to watch as the AFL trade period rumbles on.
