SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 01: Dylan Stephens of the Swans kicks a goal during the round seven AFL match between the Sydney Swans and the Geelong Cats at Sydney Cricket Ground on May 01, 2021 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Adelaide have been urged to move for Swans young gun and South Australian native Dylan Stephens.

Stephens has been touted as a potential departure from Sydney, with the club understood to be facing a tight salary cap situation this year.

The financial strains come as veteran Lance Franklin's lucrative deal is set swallow significant space in the club's planning, while the likes of Luke Parker, Jordan Dawson and Sam Reid are currently out-of-contract.

The trio are set to earn new deals in the harbour city past this season, meaning Stephens could be squeezed out of the Swans' list as a result.

The 20-year-old is sure to be of interest to rival clubs, with the desire of greater opportunities and greener pastures elsewhere potentially a lure for the former top five pick.

Stephens has found it difficult to cement his place in John Longmire's side, playing 15 games since being taken in the 2019 Draft.

The Magpies have been previously linked to the Norwood product, with Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes now suggesting the Crows should be looking to pry Stephens given his South Australian origins.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 01: Dylan Stephens of the Swans celebrates kicking a goal during the round seven AFL match between the Sydney Swans and the Geelong Cats at Sydney Cricket Ground on May 01, 2021 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Speaking on SEN, Cornes said Adelaide's general manager of list management and strategy Justin Reid should be moving for players of Stephens' mould.

“The list manager who has made the most phone calls this year should be Justin Reid,” Cornes said.

“Players like Dylan Stephens, who is a South Australian and was pick five, he hasn’t hit his straps at Sydney for whatever reason.

“He’s going to be your number one type of target. He’s a great character, he’s clearly got leadership potential, he’s just a good human.

Embed from Getty Images

“I haven’t seen enough of him to make a call on how successful his AFL career is going to be, but if Adelaide believe he is a 200-gamer then he fits perfectly. Midfield depth, a bit of speed around the ball and can be a part of that younger midfield group.

“He’s out of contract and Sydney, we’re hearing, are having salary cap issues."

Adelaide could also see Dawson as a priority signing for this off-season, with the defender-turned-wingman also hailing from South Australia.

Sydney Swans Training Session
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 05: Jordan Dawson of the Swans catches the ball during a Sydney Swans AFL training session at Lakeside Oval on March 05, 2021 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

However, interest in Dawson is understood to have cooled, with a contract extension with the Swans seen as imminent.

Adelaide have already begun making key list decisions ahead of the 2022 season, deciding not to hand veteran duo Tom Lynch and Daniel Talia new deals.

The decisions come amid a rebuild for Mathew Nicks' side, who have reportedly tabled an offer to restricted free agent Matt Crouch.