- Sydney has locked in one of the most sought after free agents in the AFL, signing Will Hayward to a fresh five-year deal.
9News can reveal Hayward put pen to paper this week on a new contract which would lock him in with the Swans until at least the end of 2029.
Hayward had been sought by Carlton and Adelaide, who both offered six-season deals on more money than what he had signed for at Sydney.
Port Adelaide and Melbourne had also showed interest.
The signature is a major one for the Swans, following Errol Gulden and Ollie Florent’s long-term commitments recently.
Florent is a good friend of Hayward and the duo own Doozy Drinks together.
Will Hayward of the Swans celebrates kicking a goal. via Getty ImagesSydney is desperate to keep its tremendously gifted list intact, with vital forward Logan McDonald next on its priority list.
McDonald is being extensively courted by Western Australian clubs and would expect huge cash and significant trade capital if he chose to explore his options at the end of the season.
Further ahead but of no less importance is the signature of gun midfielder Chad Warner, who is out of contract at the end of next year but is sure to generate massive offers from rival clubs.
Hayward has played 148 games for Sydney since debuting in 2017.
While he’s from Adelaide, his partner grew up in Melbourne, making the decision to stay in the Harbour City all the more meaningful.
He’s become one of the more consistent and devastating small forwards in the game, booting 22 goals this season, including bags of four in successive weeks against Fremantle and GWS.
Sydney is expected to disclose the news as early as this week.
There are just five remaining restricted free agents on the table – Tim English, Patrick Dangerfield, Ben Ainsworth, Cam Zurhaar, and Blake Hardwic
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