Warner hopes for another 100 games in Swans colours
As Sydney superstar Chad Warner prepares for his 100th game, the gun midfielder has made a telling statement on his future, declaring he wants to play another hundred in red and white.
Warner was chased by both Fremantle and West Coast last year ahead of his contract ending at the end of this season.
Instead, the 24-year-old re-committed to the Swans in April on a two-year deal that will take him into free agency.
Now ahead of his landmark match, Warner heaped praise on the club that drafted him with the hope of passing even more milestones in the red and white.
'It's pretty weird to think (100 games) has come around already, coming from Perth and not knowing what was going to happen after that or even if I'd play one game,' he said
'I'm so grateful for the chance given to me by the club and to be valued by the footy club and the community.
'It's so exciting and I can't wait to see the next 100 or so hopefully.'
While there's still plenty to play out before Warner needs to decide on a new deal, his statement is an early blow both West Australian clubs ahead of them ramping up their pursuit of him again ahead of free agency.
West Coast chief executive Don Pyke said he would not give up the club's chase of Warner.
'It probably pushes that can down the road for a couple of years, but we will certainly stay in touch with Chad, probably have another game of golf or two with Chad,' he told 7NEWS last month.
'We will just stay in touch with Chad, and he will make his decision. If he's ready in two years and he wants to come back, then we'll push our case forward, as we should.'
Having been taken at pick 39 in the 2019 draft, Warner was something of a steal for the Swans as he developed into one of the most damaging midfielders in the competition. Chad Warner of the Swans celebrates a goal. Credit: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos / AFL Photos via Getty Images
In what was a stacked year for classy midfielders, Warner said he finds plenty of motivation in trying to prove himself against his peers.
'I do compare myself to in people in my draft year, and a lot of them were mids and really good mids,' he said.
'People like Noah Anderson, Matt Rowell, Tom Green and Caleb Serong and I'd hope they'd say the same and compare themselves because it's just that competitive mentality.
'It's not necessarily a point to prove but I want to be better than them when I can really.'
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