“Top of our priority”: Incoming Swans coach Cox confident of keeping Warner

New Sydney Swans coach Dean Cox is confident the club will re-sign Chad Warner.

The 23-year-old Western Australian is out of contract at the end of next season and there is constant talk that he could request a trade home.

Naturally both Fremantle and West Coast have been heavily linked with Warner who was drafted by the Swans out of East Fremantle with Pick 39 in 2019.

Cox, who has replaced long-serving premiership coach John Longmire, believes his close relationship with Warner will go a long way to keeping the dynamic midfielder in red and white.

“Any time that a player is out of contract of the calibre of Chad there’s always going to be dialogue and conversation around it,” Cox said on SEN WA’s The Run Home.

“For us it’s about trying to make sure that Chad is as happy as he possibly can be, which he is. He’s playing the football that we demand as a footy club.

“Then from there whatever takes place. We’ll speak to Chad throughout the process to make sure that hopefully can get it done as soon as possible.

“I’ve got a good relationship with Chad, hopefully we can get that work done and dusted and move forward.”

Cox commented further on the Warner situation one SEN 1170 Breakfast, insisting he is at the top of the priority list after the club locked away other talented players earlier in 2024.

“We want to retain as much of our talent as we possibly can,” he added.

“This year we did that with Logan McDonald, Will Hayward and Ollie Florent.

“Chad is at the top of our priority now. He’s an amazing footballer, one I’ve got a really strong relationship with.

“He’s really enjoying his time in Sydney. That’s the role of our footy club and myself now, to try and make sure we can get Chad locked away as quickly as possible and create the environment he wants to be a part of going forward.”

Warner has played 85 games for the Swans after debuting in 2020, averaging 22 disposals in that time.

He finished third in the Bob Skilton Medal behind Isaac Heeney and Errol Gulden in 2024 after amassing 587 touches and kicking 35 goals.

Listen to the full chats with Cox on SEN WA and SEN 1170 below: