Sydney senior coach Dean Cox is hopeful that key midfield veteran Jake Lloyd will go again for the Swans in 2026 as contract negotiations look set to extend into the off-season.
Lloyd has put together another stellar campaign in his 12th season at the Swans, averaging a career-high 7.5 marks and close to 20 disposals per game. The 31-year-old remains without a contract extension for next season, but Cox said talks are underway.
"That'll just be a constant discussion, same as Dane [Rampe]," Cox told the media on Thursday.
"[We want] the option to be able to sit down with Jake and go through a process of what it looks like. He's playing really good footy for us at the minute, and we see him as part of our future."
While Cox couldn't confirm if a contract had already been tabled to Lloyd, he reaffirmed the club's commitment to bringing him back for next season.
"Throughout the process, there's always things that happen with players. The finer details are stuff we keep between the players and footy club," Cox said.
"Jake's no different with that. He's just had his second little baby, so he's got some other things that he's worrying about.
"We're in constant dialogue with all our senior players and players that are out-of-contract about what the situation looks like, the ability to still be able to play footy and to the level that's required. He's doing that, which is good."
Another out-of-contract Swan who is yet to pen an extension is James Jordon. In his second season at the club, Jordon has rapidly developed into one of the AFL's most prolific taggers, routinely sent to defend some of the AFL's best midfielders and often finding success.
With a titanic midfield battle looming this weekend as Sydney travels north to take on premiership contenders Brisbane, Cox said he wouldn't be surprised if Jordon ends up taking one of the Lions' ball-winning stars.
"[Jordon's] been really damaging. I think the thing about Brisbane is the amount of talent they have across all areas of the ground," Cox said.
"The depth that they do have is the reason they are where they are. They're a team we aspire to be like.
"[Hugh McCluggage] has had an unbelievable season, one of the better ones individually that someone can have. His importance through that middle of the ground certainly helps set them up.
"We'll get through today and then discuss what the matchups look like."
Jordon has averaged a career-best 3.9 tackles per game this season, and while his role is primarily defensive, he's still been generating over 2.5 inside 50s per game for the Swans, which ranks 11th on their list.
