After storming to a Grand Final berth in 2022, the Swans would surely have considered a large portion of their 2023 campaign a disappointment.
Sydney needed every ounce of its late-season surge to qualify for finals action, with an elimination final loss to Carlton bringing their September venture to a quick end.
In response, the Swans' list management committee sought to bolster the club's list; making numerous additions all around the field, including snatching marquee veterans Brodie Grundy and Taylor Adams, who were once teammates at Collingwood.
Sydney also introduced ex-Demon James Jordon and former Fremantle defender Joel Hamling as free-agent acquisitions, while, conversely, the Swans offloaded Dylan Stephens via a trade with North Melbourne and farewelled champion Lance Franklin and veteran ruckman Tom Hickey to retirement.
Developmental ruckman Will Green, Academy-linked midfielder Caiden Cleary, and No. 53 choice Patrick Snell were welcomed via the 2023 National Draft in November.
We assessed Sydney's list and produced our projected best 23 for the Swans as they prepare for a telling 2024 campaign.
ADELAIDE CROWS, BRISBANE LIONS, CARLTON, COLLINGWOOD, ESSENDON, FREMANTLE, GEELONG CATS, GOLD COAST SUNS, GWS GIANTS, HAWTHORN, MELBOURNE, NORTH MELBOURNE, PORT ADELAIDE, RICHMOND, ST KILDA.
2. Midfielders
The dynamic and hard-nosed Chad Warner is the marquee name among this mix, with the additions of Adams and Jordon certain to add to an already-formidable combination that includes the evergreen Luke Parker, who continues to co-captain the Swans alongside fellow onballer Callum Mills and the aforementioned Rampe.
The inclusion of Grundy is obviously the central talking point of Sydney's 2024 engine room conversation, with the ex-Demon's prospective chemistry with this ball-getting group a storyline to monitor throughout next season.
James Rowbottom and Angus Sheldrick appear poised to feature regularly as inside options while star-in-the-making Errol Gulden and fellow outside-runner Justin McInerney figure to again occupy the flanks in 2024.
Academy darling Cleary is unlikely to feature frequently, if at all, in his maiden season, but his prospects as a two-way hard-runner shape promisingly for his Harbour City future.
