Every AFL team’s best 23 for ’23: Sydney Swans

Despite a horror showing on the grand final stage last September, there were little, if any, fears Sydney's best chance of a sixth premiership had passed them.

If anything, discourse following the 81-point defeat only prompted discussions for how well-placed this Swans unit is for the years to come.

Each and every line on their teamsheet is home to a star in the making, with their midfield overflowing with future A-grade talent, while some are there already.

The Swans didn't have a sizeable impact in the off-season trade space, having only added Essendon swingman Aaron Francis as their sole senior recruit.

Ins
Will Edwards, Aaron Francis, Jacob Konstanty, Jaiden Magor, Caleb Mitchell, Cameron Owen, Cooper Vickery

Outs
James Bell (delisted), Josh P. Kennedy (retired), Sam Naismith (delisted), Barry O'Connor (delisted), Colin O'Riordan (retired), Ben Ronke (delisted), Callum Sinclair (retired), Lewis Taylor (delisted)

Defenders

Sydney's rearguard has slowly reshaped in recent seasons to be headline by the McCartin brother Paddy and Tom.

Tom, the younger of the two, has quickly developed into one of the competition's finest young defenders to earn successive selections in the 22under22 side.

His brother's arrival ahead of last season was a difference-maker in Sydney's prospects for 2022, with McCartin effortlessly slotting into the Swans' last line after previously plying his trade as a ley forward.

The brother pairing were a brick wall against the best-attacking teams last season, but weren't the only reason for Longmire's lineup to be unfazed when the ball entered their defensive arc.

Veteran pair Dane Rampe and Jake Lloyd continued to hold down the fort with their calmness on the ball, acting as the veteran voices in the most critical of moments last year.

Lloyd has held a sling-shot role in Sydney's back third for the majority of his career, however that baton looks to have been passed to forward-turned-defender Nick Blakey.

The 22-year-old will likely assume a similar role and offer plenty of run and clean ball movement from defence, kickstarting counterattacks with his surgeon-like disposal.

Young half-back Braeden Campbell will see 2023 as a chance to cement his place in Longmire's best 23, while utility Oliver Florent is predicted to spend more time in defence.

The Swans will have lockdown option Lewis Melican and senior defender Harry Cunningham to call on when needed, while plenty of followers continue to await Will Gould's senior debut.

The club have also added ex-Bomber Aaron Francis to their list in what was their only off-seeason move, with the versatile target able to play at either end of the field.

Midfielders

Sydney's engine room is brimming with star midfielder talent, both old and young, but mostly the latter.

Co-captain pair Luke Parker and Callum Mills are the steady heads in the middle of the field, with their ball-winning acumen leading the way within a flock of Swans still cutting their teeth.

Explosive onballer Chad Warner enjoyed a stellar 2022 season with the Swans, capping off a brilliant third year in the red and white with 29 disposals and two goals on the biggest of stages.

Joining the blonde-haired youngster is James Rowbottom, who has shown equal value in his earliest years in the AFL.

The Swans' youthful stocks only go deeper, with Dylan Stephens impressing last September while the likes of Oliver Florent, Justin McInerney and Errol Gulden add to an exciting crop of midfielders in the Harbour City.

Young midfielders Matt Roberts, Angus Sheldrick, Corey Warner and Jaiden Magor will all look to break into the senior side throughout the course of this year.

Rejuvenated ruckman Tom Hickey is likely to resume his placing as Sydney's first-string tall in the centre, with the hot-headed Peter Ladhams seen as his replacement should the Swans call on just the sole ruckman at selection.

Joel Amartey and Hayden McLean continue to show promising signs as versatile key-position players, while veteran forward Sam Reid has also be trialled as a pinch-hitting ruckman.

Forwards

All eyes will be on who partners veteran key forward in attack to start the season, with young target Logan McDonald having been dropped for last year's season decider.

The former top-four pick is likely to find himself back in John Longmire's side this year, likely in Sam Reid's position as the Swans look to get more minutes into the young Western Australian.

McDonald's grand final replacement, Hayden McLean, remains in the frame as Sydney's supporting ruck option behind Hickey, while Franklin will again be tasked to lead Sydney's front third.

At his feet will be small forward Tom Papley, who notched up the fourth 30+ goal campaign of his career in 2022.

Half-forward Isaac Heeney is expected to spend the majority of his time in attack this year and will look to improve on his 49-goal, All-Australian season.

Will Hayward is another threat in Sydney's attack, matching Papley's excitement levels to be another spark plug for the Swans.

The Swans won't be short on rotations and reinforcements through their forward line either, with Errol Gulden, Justin McInerney, Ryan Clarke, James Rowbottom and Sam Wicks all able to add to their scoring routes.

First-round pick Jacob Konstanty and 2022 mid-season recruit Hugo Hal-Kahan will also look to press their case come selection.

Best 23

FB: Dane Rampe, Tom McCartin, Jake Lloyd
HB: Oliver Florent, Patrick McCartin, Nick Blakey
C: Justin McInerney, Luke Parker, Dylan Stephens
HF: Errol Gulden, Lance Franklin, Will Hayward
FF: Tom Papley, Logan McDonald, Isaac Heeney
FOL: Tom Hickey, Callum Mills, Chad Warner
I/C: James Rowbottom, Ryan Clarke, Robbie Fox, Hayden McLean
SUB: Braeden Campbell

Emerg: Sam Reid, Peter Ladhams, Harry Cunningham