Sydney’s shaky 2025 campaign hasn’t just been about injuries and a new coach settling in; according to Chad Warner, the cracks began away from the spotlight.
As the Swans prepare to face the Bulldogs on Friday night, Warner will celebrate his 100th AFL game.
But the midfielder has marked the milestone by reflecting on a forgettable start to the season that saw Sydney slip to 2-5 under first-year coach Dean Cox. Speaking to the media on Tuesday, the 24-year-old admitted that the club’s standards, particularly off the field, took a hit in the wake of last year’s Grand Final heartbreak.
“It was more of the off-field stuff around the club. In terms of standards, where we kind of let slip a little bit that we wouldn’t in the past,” Warner said.
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Swans reset with culture-first focus
After a promising 2024, expectations were high, but the team struggled for cohesion and consistency early, compounded by key absences due to injury. Warner revealed that a cultural reset in recent weeks has sparked gradual change.
“We’ve tuned up a few things in terms of challenging and rewarding other players; whether it’s feedback or giving advice,” he said. “Everyone’s really buying into that, which is great.”
He also singled out Ollie Florent as an example of the shift. Dropped after Round 11, Florent has responded in the reserves with renewed intensity. “His training standards from there have just been huge. The amount of boys he’s brought along with him, I think it’s helping everyone,” Warner said.
Sydney’s 19-point win over Port Adelaide last weekend was a sign of progress, and with a 6-8 record, finals are still just about within reach. But Warner knows any hope of a late-season charge will depend on maintaining those cultural gains.