Recalled Sydney forward Hayden McLean has declared his desire to remain at the Swans, despite attracting interest from rival clubs.
McLean will return to the senior side on Friday against the Western Bulldogs for his fifth outing of the year, after being squeezed out of Sydney's forward line following the arrival of two-time Coleman Medallist Charlie Curnow.
Swans coach Dean Cox has favoured Curnow, along with Joel Amartey and Logan McDonald for the better part of the year, leaving McLean to spend the majority of his time in the VFL.
While Amartey weighs up his free agency decision, rival clubs have also been encouraged to pursue McLean, who has reaffirmed his desire to stay at Sydney.
"Sort of a tricky one, obviously," McLean told Zero Hanger.
"Contracted next year, and I love the Swans, and I love my lifestyle, and what me and my partner have built up here.
"I wouldn't be going looking for it, and, there's a lot to play out at the end of the year, and what happens with everyone, but I'm loving it here, so I think that's something my manager would probably do in the background.
"But I'm really focused on having my impact and doing what I've been doing this year, and just trying to play good footy."
McLean also said he'd welcome talks over a new deal.
"Definitely (open to an extension)," he added.
"I've loved my time here. I've developed as a forward and as a person up here and I love the club and the direction we are at and the culture at the club and the list we've got is probably one of the best lists in the AFL.
"I feel it really brought a lot of connection and emotion over the years with obviously a few grand final losses and stuff.
"I think if they came to the table, it would definitely be good discussion."
McLean has had to fight and scrap for senior opportunities this season, which came more consistently in the past three years.
The Sandringham Dragons product featured in Sydney's Grand Final losses in 2022 and 2024 and had become a regular under John Longmire before retaining his place early in Dean Cox's first season in charge.
That made the weekly selection conversations with Cox particularly difficult, as McLean often found himself overlooked for the senior side.
"It's definitely been tough, probably one of the tough years in terms of that selection and the competition," McLean said.
"I think "Coxy" and Jeremy Laidler, especially as our forward line coach, I've got a really good relationship with him, so I think it's just been honest conversations, as much as it can be, and it's, you know, it's never easy, even when they are honest conversations. You want to be playing regular senior footy.
"It's not last-minute conversations, sort of talking throughout the week, and what it can look like, and I think the earliest you find out, the better I can sort of reset my mental head and compare for whatever game I am playing, whether that is obviously want to be playing seniors, but if it's VFL, I've been able to shape my mindset and really attack that and perform better going back down and visit twos."
McLean has responded impressively in the VFL, kicking 26 goals in eight games while also spending time in the ruck.
The 27-year-old said the feedback had been limited given his impressive form, although the coaches wanted to see improvement in his follow-up work as a ruck.
While Amartey's achilles injury is a "bittersweet" for McLean, it has opened the door for latter to stake his claim in the forward line.
