It's late January this year, and revelations that Warner has purchased a home in Western Australia has been unveiled, the property just twenty minutes away from both the Fremantle and West Coast headquarters.
Rumours have never swirled so intensely over Warner's contract and his future with the Swans, and as of March, his decision still remains unclear.
Players have regularly admitted to the burden of the contract call, and if they haven't publicly conceded to its pressures, their actions have spoken louder than words.
Shai Bolton seemingly checked out mentally at Richmond last season and recorded his worst numbers since 2020 disposals-wise despite attending slightly more centre bounce attendances than in 2023, where he averaged over 21 touches a game.
Similarly, fellow former Tiger Liam Baker told AFL Trade Radioย he was "distracted" as he tossed up a move to the west.
"It was a really tough year mentally. I felt at times at the club I was a bit distracted, and I thought I had to check myself, and remember I was still playing for Richmond at the time and to buy back in. Not that I bought out, I was just distracted at times," Baker said.
Even players that re-sign have labelled the pressure of being out-of-contract as taxing, with both Jake Waterman (re-signed October) and Andrew Brayshaw (re-signed March) describing the decision to stay felt like a weight off their shoulders after months of speculation.
Hence, it wouldn't be surprising if we saw that pressure impact Warner's on-field performance, given his high-profile status and supreme talents.
But even after the house purchase and ensuing media storm, teammate Errol Gulden wasn't fazed.
"I think he's wired differently, Chaddy," Gulden said to the media in January.
"He certainly won't let it affect his footy."
Friday night's Opening Round performance only solidified that thought.
Warner was the difference-maker for Sydney, the spark in trying times and the Swan to turn the game on its head in the third term.
Slotting a snap in congested stoppage traffic set the Swans alight in the first quarter, an equally captivating goal to his Round 1 intercept-and-goal against Collingwood last year.
Throughout the game, Warner was the danger man. A game-high six inside 50s indicated as much, leading to another game-high 12 score involvements - a stratosphere above the rest too, with Jai Newcombe's eight the next highest, followed by Brodie Grundy's seven.
Down by 20 points in the third term, it was Warner who kickstarted the Swans' charge.
A tricky, angled 45-meter set shot was superbly nailed with a drop punt, energising the SCG crowd. Two minutes later he sidestepped Josh Battle and penetrated the ball deep inside 50 to the advantage of Tom McCartin. All of a sudden, the Swans were within two goals.
Warner was far and away the Swans' best player on Friday night, indicating to fans that his impending contract call will not be the distraction other footballers have fought before him. If anything, Warner's commitment to Sydney's premiership ambitions have only grown in what may or may not be his last season in the eastern state.
Whether he goes will likely remain to be seen until after the season ends, but Sydney supporters should rest easy knowing Warner will play football as if he has the mental freedom of a re-signed star.
