Sydney defender Lewis Melican will remain at the club until the end of 2025 following a clause that was triggered in his contract.
After an injury-riddled patch over the last four years, Melican has solidified his spot in the senior side under coach John Longmire.
The 27-year-old has seemingly put his injury troubles - that yielded 23 games between 2020 and 2023 - behind him, locking down some of the competition's best forwards, with a sizeable task of Carlton duo Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow front of mind.
However, Melican has surpassed all initial expectations since being taken with Pick 52 in the 2015 Rookie Draft and couldn't imagine being anywhere else.
Sydney Swans defender Lewis Melican will remain in the red and white until at least the end of 2025.
The strong defender has triggered a clause in his contract which automatically keeps him at the Swans beyond this season. #Bloods
— Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) May 16, 2024
โIt's a great feeling knowing I'll be at the Swans for another season, we're in a great spot as a squad at the moment,โ Melican said.
โI worked extremely hard in the off-season to get my body right and I feel as though I'm being rewarded.
โI'm excited about what the future holds at the Swans and can't wait to get stuck in for the rest of the season.โ
Following the strong win against Hawthorn in April, Longmire couldn't have been prouder of what Melican has had to overcome to get a consistent chance at the elite level.
"He's just had a terrible run with injuries, and generally when he's gotten through those stages, we've played him when we can because we know he can really help, particularly when his anticipation is like it was today," Longmire said post-game.
"He's had some tough times, but his attention to detail, getting his body right is at a high level every week and we need to keep that a real main focus for him."
Despite his numbers not jumping off the page, the Swans defender knows he plays an important role in the side.
Working in tandem with Tom McCartin, Dane Rampe and Nick Blakey to cull the opposition's key forwards and raise the club to the top of the ladder, Melican has lifted his output in 2024, which is a significant reason for the rise of the Swan.
