High-flying Sydney Swans set to announce new contract for young forward amidst interest from Fremantle and West Coast
The Sydney Swans are reportedly set to announce an extension for star young forward Logan McDonald. The premiership favourites have had a remarkable 11-1 start to the 2024 season, thanks to some key re-signings.
According to 7NEWS Perth’s Ryan Daniels, Will Hayward signed a five-year deal a week ago, joining James Rowbottom and Errol Gulden in committing long-term this year.
Meanwhile, both Fremantle and West Coast have indicated interest in the talented young gun McDonald, who is originally from Western Australia. In April, he hoped to stick around with the Sydney Swans, telling Gettable:
"It (Sydney) is not too dissimilar - I call it Perth on steroids. I've loved my time here. I'm happy here. Ever since I've stepped foot in here, the club's been so welcoming to me and my family.
"They've put a lot of time in my development and helping me become the player that I am today. I've got a lot of growth to do and I'm just trying to repay them with my faith. I'm happy where I am”
Daniels said on Triple M about McDonald’s prospective contract extension:
“A lot of talk about Logan McDonald the last couple of years. Will he come back to Fremantle, will he potentially even go to West Coast? Will he stay at Sydney? I believe that that announcement that he’ll stay at Sydney is imminent. I reckon we might see it even this week.”
Sydney Swans young gun just re-signed: What we know about Logan McDonald
Sydney Swans young forward Logan McDonald played decently on his debut in 2021 and played seven games in the season. He has flourished since then, barely being omitted from the Grand Finals team in 2022.
In the 2023 season, he kicked 32 goals in 20 games and is going strong so far in 2024. The 22-year-old has kicked 19 goals in 12 game; in the two games he was goalless, he made three direct assists.
The Sydney Swans, meanwhile, are only a win away from matching their last year’s total of 12. Coach John Longmire says that they still have a way to go to prove their premiership worthiness.
In Sunday’s match against Geelong, the league’s number one were goalless in the first quarter before a second quarter with five unanswered gols turned the game around.
The Sydney Swans eventually recovered from 29 points down to take the lead and eventually finished 30-point winners. Coach Longmire said:
“You can’t flirt when you’re playing well. We’ve still got a bit of work to do on our starts. We certainly got exposed. We saw what happened in the first quarter against a good team when you just take the pressure off a little bit.
"We don’t want to be just one that relies upon talent. When we’re working hard, and we’re putting pressure on, our talent then is able to come through. It doesn’t work the other way around.”