Earlier this year, before signing their respective two-year contract extensions at the Sydney Swans, Chad and Corey Warner thought long and hard about what the club and the city meant to them.
Both brothers loved their upbringing in Perth and return whenever there is a viable gap in their schedule. Sydney can never replace the family and friends they miss, but it has given them a different perspective on their daily lives.
In Sydney, the Warner brothers can walk near their home in Coogee and remain largely anonymous. Back home in Perth, it is impossible to escape from their day job.
“Even if you are just going out for dinner with your family or something in the off-season [in Perth], I guess there is a lot more attention on you,” Corey said.
“I think it’s definitely a benefit for us in Sydney here; you can go out with your mates, or go out for dinner, go to the beach, and you can just be a different person and not like an AFL player, and not have all the attention on you for a bit when you’re away from the club. But it’s definitely a reminder when you go back to Perth.”
Corey and Chad Warner at Swans headquarters before Saturday’s game against Essendon.Credit: Dominic Lorrimer
Since his breakthrough season in 2022 when he made the All-Australian squad, Chad has gradually become used to the level of interest in his career at home. The star midfielder seriously considered offers to move home to the Dockers and Eagles, but understood that his life would change dramatically.
“On the weekend, we went out because Dad was over for the [Giants] game, and went out to the [Coogee] Pav to have a few beers, and you never do anything wrong, but I feel like [in] Perth they’d be trying to find something that you’re doing wrong, so that is really annoying,” Chad said.
“Even coaches over there – I think at the moment the Freo coach [Justin Longmuir] is copping it a lot – and I think it’s really, really tough in that regard, too, because fans are pretty ruthless over there. And I think a lot of the time they want to blame, and just want to keep blaming and blaming, and I think the coach at the moment is kind of falling victim to that a bit.”
Warner also has sympathy for Eagles star Harley Reid in his second season at the club after dealing with intense attention from local media.
“He had probably one of the best first years in footy you will see – and I haven’t been following too much this year – but then you see all the criticism that maybe a captain of a club should be copping if they weren’t performing,” Chad said.
Chad Warner after Sydney’s win at Optus Stadium against FremantleCredit: Getty Images
“But I think it’s the amount that you have to cop at such a young age, especially when of the calibre of player that he is. It’s stupid, because at the end of the day, I wouldn’t blame him at all if he wanted to get out of there. But it probably is the best thing for his career to get out of there if that’s the stuff that you’re copping, to be honest.”
On the field, the Warners complement each other nicely. The elder brother’s explosive ability to change a game is set against his younger brother’s athleticism, which exerts relentless pressure on the opposition.
Off the field, the Warners also work in synergy. On Sunday, before leading the Swans to victory against the Giants at the SCG, Chad desperately needed his sibling’s famed organisational skills to make the first bounce.
“I was nearly late to the Giants game on the weekend,” Chad said. “Even though I’ve had some mates over, and nothing happened, really, I just kind of lost track of time. We were at the beach and stuff, and then had to quickly rush out the door to the Giants game.
“Corey always laughs about it, but I think how always the night before, he has everything ready, for anything, whatever it is, holiday or anything … I feel like I’m probably the one in the family who’s going to forget and lose stuff the most.”
Ahead of facing Essendon together in Melbourne on Saturday, Chad is reminded of how the Swans cared for him and his brother during the tricky negotiations.
“I think the way they approached both of us this year has been amazing,” Chad said.
“They want to support you, but at the same time, they go, it’s a business, and if that’s what is going to make you happy going home, well then that’s what’s going to make you happy, and good, we’re going to support you either way.”
