A major warning from the AFL ahead of the 2025 season causes the Sydney Swans’ trade plans to fail.

On the back of the Swans’ fourth consecutive grand final defeat following losses to Hawthorn in 2014, the Bulldogs in 2016, Geelong two seasons ago and Brisbane this year, Sydney have had an incredibly underwhelming AFL trade period. Heading into the grand final as favourites and minor premiers, Sydney were played off the park by the Lions in an 18.12 (120) to 9.6 (60) flogging. And in the hours and days that followed there were calls from the likes of Sydney great Paul Roos for major roster changes.

Roos led the calls for a squad overhaul, declaring change is a must. “That conversation now has to take place (who needs to go). They have to put good players on the market that change the narrative,” Roos said.

“Again, we’re talking margins. We’re talking about a great footy club. There’s no question that the talent in terms of management, their structure and the football club is there. But it’s two (grand finals) in three years with largely the same group. There are some holes in the organisation in terms of the game plan and now potentially personnel. If John and the coaching staff firmly believe that there are players in there who can’t perform on the biggest stage, you have to get rid of them. It’s a brutal industry, but that’s just the reality.”

However, the Swans’ trade movements were underwhelming, to say the least. Sydney were linked to Jake Stringer but ultimately decided against it, with the forward moving to local rivals GWS. While club veteran Luke Parker – who has played 293 games for the Bloods – and Jacob Konstanty, were traded away to North Melbourne in return for pick 44 in the AFL national draft – hardly anything to write home about.

Two-time All-Australian Leigh Montagna believes the Swans have not done enough to address areas that cost them the flag in 2024. And the St Kilda great says Longmire’s side is too reliant on Isaac Heeney, Errol Gulden and Chad Warner. “They’ve done nothing. They’ve moved on (Jacob) Konstanty – the youngster who’s going to be known for dislocating Callum Mills’ shoulder – who is going to try and make a name for himself at North Melbourne,” Montagna told Fox Sports Australia.

“It’s really the same list; they’re going to go in with the same. How can they be different next year? There’s such a heavy reliance on the big three (Isaac Heeney, Errol Gulden and Chad Warner) in the midfield. Some of the areas that were not a strength let them down in the grand final – their key forwards. They’re just going to go to the well again.”