Sydney list boss Kinnear Beatson says the club isn’t concerned about the possibility of Logan McDonald wanting to return to Western Australia at some stage amid a busy trade period for the club.
WA journalist Ryan Daniels reported Fremantle has interest in luring McDonald and that its pick swap with Port Adelaide — that saw the Dockers add a first-round pick in next year’s draft — could be part of a potential play for the key forward, who’s out of contract at the end of 2024.
However speaking on SEN’s Sportsday, Beatson was confident that the 21-year old is enjoying his time in the Harbour City and relishing developing with the rest of the Swans’ promising list.
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“No, we’re not (worried),” Beatson said of McDonald’s potential go-home pull.
“He’s contracted for next year. He seems really close with the player group.
“We’ve already expressed our interest to his manager that we want to extend him and we’ll be working on that at the start of the year.
“All indications are that he’s really tight with that young group and they see a future together. So we’re comfortable with that at the moment.”
Sydney has been one of the most active clubs this trade period, acquiring Brodie Grundy, Taylor Adams, James Jordon and Joel Hamling to bolster its midfield and defence.
Beatson said upgrading those areas and finding a ruck replacement for Tom Hickey were key focus areas for the club to address for 2024.
The long-time Sydney list manager conceded he and his team likely wouldn’t make any more significant moves between now and the end of the exchange window next Wednesday, left with draft picks 12, 44 and 54.
“We might try to fiddle around with trying to bring our second pick forward a bit. But we’ve achieved the things the list management committee set midway through the year,” Beatson said.
“Being able to acquire the two unrestricted free agents and not having to give anything up for it, that was a nice start for us.”
After revealing Sydney’s bid for Adams didn’t come until before the grand final, Beatson said the club had targeted Grundy from further back after it became apparent he was searching for a new home.
“Fair to say (we started targeting Grundy) after midway through the year — when the jungle drums were beating a bit that he wasn’t happy and not getting enough ruck time,” he added. “We were desperately going to need one.
“When a player of Brodie’s ilk becomes available, you’re mad not to look at it and follow up on it.
“He expressed an interest in Sydney and the thought of a new environment where he’s not going to be hassled every two minutes is something he’s looking forward to. He walk around the streets of Sydney and not be pulled up every two seconds for a selfie et cetera.
“I think for Brodie, that will be a plus for him.”
Beatson also admitted the Swans attempted to land Western Bulldogs star forward Aaron Naughton, with rival interest prompting the Dogs to move to re-sign him on a monster eight-year extension.
“Oh well, you’ve just got to have a go at trying to get really good players into your club,” the Swans list boss noted.
“We’ve got three young forwards in Logan, Joel Amartey and Hayden McLean. Not quite sure yet what’s happening with Sam Reid, and losing ‘Bud’ (Lance Franklin) of course, they’re big shoes to fill.
“If you can get an A-grader in, you’ve got to look at it. We had a crack at it, he’s elected to stay, so we move on.”
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