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The Swans clearly believe the 2024 flag could be theirs and have positioned themselves well with the signings of Brodie Grundy and Taylor Adams.
In isolation, knowing what we know of these two players at their peaks, the Swans have done well in handing over picks 33, 46 and a future second-rounder to secure the rights to these players.
James Jordon joined at no cost and is a handy addition, Joel Hamling too should provide competitive depth if nothing else.
The Swans themselves are a unique case study in the way they handle their list.
Clearly, the retirement of Lance Franklin frees up some cap space to be able to sign players, but coach John Longmire has never shied away from mixing his experience with youth, in order to bring his young players up to the level.
On face value, they’ve brought in three players who’ll be at least 30 years of age next season which in many other cases, would be seen as an act of desperation, but for the Swans it’s just topping up in areas of need.
Look at their best and fairest results – Errol Gulden won the award at 21 years of age while Nick Blakey (23) and James Rowbottom (23) rounded out the top three.
(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Chad Warner (22) finished fifth and Logan McDonald (21) finished the season with the second-most goals for the club.
Therefore, particularly with Callum Mills under an injury cloud, the Swans couldn’t have done much better to efficiently address and solve some of their problems.
From the Grundy perspective, it’s been a couple of years since we’ve seen him at his best but the Swans have been begging for a follow-up ruck who can act as an extra linking player through the centre and occupy space to defend the transition.
Tom Hickey was good in the role when his body allowed him to be and was perhaps one of the more underrated rucks when given solo opportunities. Peter Ladhams, not so much despite having all the hypothetical talent to have an impact and the Swans having paid up for him. He has to curb his on-field indiscretions.
So it makes complete sense that Grundy would join in such a mutually beneficial move for both parties.
The Swans were ranked 11th for clearance differential and 15th for contested possession differential. Despite the solid work of Rowbottom and Luke Parker amongst others, being second to the ball at stoppages and not having a fully fit ruckman to body others in the follow-up saw the Swans struggle through the midfield.
Even if Grundy doesn’t reach the absolute heights of his peak, he’s one of the best contested possession-winning, clearance-focused rucks in the league who can help raise the base level.
Brodie Grundy. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Recruiting Adams emerged from nowhere largely and we’ve since learned that discussions commenced the week before the Grand Final.
Naturally, with Mills’ injury and seemingly a midfield spot opened up, Adams would slot in there.
It’s hard to discount what the former Magpie vice-captain added to his former club on the half-forward flank as a rotating forward/midfielder though and what that can do for the Swans.
Sure, there’ll be spurts in the midfield and as someone who has averaged over five tackles and clearances over the last eight seasons combined, he again raises the floor of what the Swans can produce.
But in 2023, Adams averaged a score per game and finished with 25 goal assists in 23 games. He was rated elite for tackles inside 50 and score involvements, while the Swans were above average and average in each of these areas themselves.
With a proclivity to use Tom Papley at stoppages occasionally, and Isaac Heeney even moreso, the addition of Adams to that rotation is more impactful on the forward half and the way it stretch the forward 70 area.
More pertinently, Adams’ strengths as an inside midfielder aren’t dissimilar to what Rowbottom and Parker produce and his recruitment likely results in more direct swaps between the Parker and Adams inside the forward 50, which the Swans have been keen to explore for a while.
Crucially though, recruiting two veterans in this case will be used to improve the team overall while promoting opportunities for younger players, rather than taking them away.
Longmire loves giving deserving young players opportunities and the likes of Angus Sheldrick and Matty Roberts aren’t necessarily hindered by the inclusions. Grundy gives young midfielders more chances to win a contest, Adams’ unselfishness will put others first.
Jordon’s inclusion should see him get games, perhaps on a wing/midfield rotation with Gulden, and he’s a tidy, hard-worker who embodies the spirit of game that the Swans seek to put forward.
At time of writing, the Swans still have their first-round pick too – whether they split it to try get more points for academy graduate and Adams clone Caiden Cleary, or whether they feel adequately prepared for that remains to be seen, but the Swans have improved their list and depth to where 28-30 players can rotate through at senior level, a key feature of a premiership team.
Adams and Grundy are in different stages in their careers to their former selves that perhaps we reflect upon with rose-coloured glasses, but maybe that’s what gives them the added value that makes dispensing three mid-round picks worth it.
One needs a fresh change and a new environment, the other just wants to the chance to play their role and be the difference-maker he can be, and off the field; they bring experience, leadership and good vibes.
The Swans have a list full of talented young players and veterans who know how to win.
With these additions, they add to their depth and on-field versatility that’ll make them hard to plan for.
These two players that made a name for themselves at Collingwood are more than just good value pick-ups in a trade market.
They’re two genuine pieces who raise the floor of a team that needs it, striving for consistent footy that can have them challenging for the grandest prize there is.
Shrewd moves like these win flags and the Swans have been efficient in reloading for the 2024 flag.