Sydney Swans' trade plans fall flat as AFL great issues grave warning ahead of 2025 campaign

On the back of the Swans' fourth consecutive grand final defeat following losses to Hawthorn in 2014, the Bulldogs in 2016, Geelong two seasons ago and Brisbane this year, Sydney have had an incredibly underwhelming AFL trade period. Heading into the grand final as favourites and minor premiers, Sydney were played off the park by the Lions in an 18.12 (120) to 9.6 (60) flogging. And in the hours and days that followed there were calls from the likes of Sydney great Paul Roos for major roster changes.

Roos led the calls for a squad overhaul, declaring change is a must. "That conversation now has to take place (who needs to go). They have to put good players on the market that change the narrative,” Roos said.

"Again, we’re talking margins. We’re talking about a great footy club. There’s no question that the talent in terms of management, their structure and the football club is there. But it’s two (grand finals) in three years with largely the same group. There are some holes in the organisation in terms of the game plan and now potentially personnel. If John and the coaching staff firmly believe that there are players in there who can’t perform on the biggest stage, you have to get rid of them. It’s a brutal industry, but that’s just the reality."

However, the Swans' trade movements were underwhelming, to say the least. Sydney were linked to Jake Stringer but ultimately decided against it, with the forward moving to local rivals GWS. While club veteran Luke Parker - who has played 293 games for the Bloods - and Jacob Konstanty, were traded away to North Melbourne in return for pick 44 in the AFL national draft - hardly anything to write home about.

Two-time All-Australian Leigh Montagna believes the Swans have not done enough to address areas that cost them the flag in 2024. And the St Kilda great says Longmire's side is too reliant on Isaac Heeney, Errol Gulden and Chad Warner. "They've done nothing. They've moved on (Jacob) Konstanty - the youngster who’s going to be known for dislocating Callum Mills’ shoulder - who is going to try and make a name for himself at North Melbourne," Montagna told Fox Sports Australia.

"It's really the same list; they're going to go in with the same. How can they be different next year? There’s such a heavy reliance on the big three (Isaac Heeney, Errol Gulden and Chad Warner) in the midfield. Some of the areas that were not a strength let them down in the grand final - their key forwards. They’re just going to go to the well again."

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Jake Stringer signs with Sydney Swans' rivals GWS

Stringer's move to the Giants came in the final moments of AFL Deadline Day as GWS and Essendon agreed to a trade at the last minute. Stringer was vocal about wanting a longer deal than the single-season left at Essendon but a deal seemed unlikely as the trade period drew to a close, with Bombers list boss Matt Rosa confirming the Giants had withdrawn their interest.

But the two parties came back to the table at the last minute on Wednesday and came to an agreement, with Stringer signing a two-year deal with the Giants in exchange for pick 53. "It got to a point last night where the Giants withdrew their interest, then it was revived later today," Rosa told AFL.com. "It was very late afternoon that we started the discussions again."

Stringer kicked 42 goals in 2024 and is a welcome addition to GWS after Harry Perryman (Collingwood), Isaac Cumming (Adelaide) and James Peatling (Adelaide) left in the past two weeks.