Following a big 2025 Continental Tyres AFL Trade Period, we were joined by Head of List Strategy and Player Personnel, Chris Keane, in a special mini episode of More than Footy, presented by Bing Lee.
Sydney secured two-time Coleman Medallist, Charlie Curnow, in the final minutes of the trade period on Wednesday night, and Keane said the club was thrilled to have secured such a meaningful addition to the squad.
Keane said Curnow was a priority for the club heading into the trade period, and that adding the All-Australian to Sydney's forward stocks was significant.
"We made him a priority through this trade period and targeted him pretty heavily and to get that calibre of key forward through the doors is never easy, and it's got its complications with that," Keane said.
"But at the end of the day, we struck a deal that both clubs were satisfied with and we're really excited to bring him and his fiancée, Tiana, up to Sydney, and we can't wait to see him at the SCG.
"I think he's a bums-on-seats player, isn't he? He's a pretty exciting talent ahead of the footy and a two-time Coleman medallist, and probably adds a different dynamic athletically to our front half, which we're looking to do as well. So, look, he's a very, very exciting player. We know what he's capable of and his resume speaks for itself."
The Swans also said goodbye to two much-loved players in Will Hayward and Ollie Florent, who depart the club as Sydney Swans Life Members.
Keane revealed how difficult it was to farewell the pair.
"It was extremely difficult and we probably walked into this process knowing that, as you said, we're going to have to give up something of significance to get a player like Charlie Kurnow," Keane said.
"I just don't think it can be understated how important both Will and Ollie have been, both on and off field, to our footy club and we wish them both all the best, and we're sure they're going to play some really good footy at Carlton.
"(Conversations with Will and Ollie), they were pretty open and honest. Once we prioritised Charlie, it was always probably, as I said, the complexities around doing this were that a lot of our players were contracted and happy to stay in Sydney, so, look, they were challenging conversations.
"We're really, sad to see them go but we're also really excited about what we're bringing into the footy club too."
Overall, Keane said he was pleased with how the trade period had played out and the club's position heading into the 2025 Telstra AFL Draft.
"I think we often look at trades in isolation but it's important also to look at it holistically and what it looks like at the end of the day," he said.
"I think we bring in three players that we targeted pretty strongly, it was great for our footy club that all three players wanted to come to Sydney and were able to get those deals done.
"We gave up some picks to get that done but we also replenished our draft plan this year, we added a future third next year and a future second in 2027. So, we sit here with some ammunition, some assets to still have a play at this year's draft and future drafts as well."
Listen to the latest episode below, where Keane also gives an insight into what fans can expect from recruits Jai Serong and Malcolm Rosas Jnr, plus the club's position heading into the 2025 Telstra AFL Draft, on Wednesday November 19, and Thursday, November 20.
Key Times:
0.45 On Charlie Curnow
1:58 Farewelling Will Hayward and Ollie Florent
3:13 On Jai Serong
3:49 On Malcolm Rosas Jnr
4:20 The state of the list ahead of the 2025 Draft
Catch up on all the episodes of More than Footy below.
