Sydney Swans young gun Logan McDonald has been in talks with the club about re-signing, and told Central News he’s not looking to go anywhere else.

Although there is no official confirmation from the Swans a week after signing star midfielder Errol Gulden, the key forward has been speaking with coach John Longmire about his future

After playing with the team for four years, this Sunday’s match-up against the Gold Coast Suns will mark the 22-year-old’s 50th cap for the side.

Despite this achievement, McDonald said he isn’t too concerned about his future. 

“I’ve started to sit down with [Longmire] a lot more over the last few weeks, and [by him] being a key forward in the past, [it has] really helped me and fast-tracked my development as quickly as possible,” he said.

“It’s good that the club was able to walk away Errol last week, and we know he’s such an important player for the future.

“I’ll just leave the contract stuff with my manager in the club to work through, and I’m just trying to focus on playing my role.”

 

The key forward was thrust into the AFL spotlight after a breakout 2023 season, which he has continued into the start of 2024.   

He said despite his hometown of Fremantle being almost 4,000 kilometres away, he feels right at home in Sydney.

“I’m grateful to be able to play 50 games with this club,” he said. “I’ve loved my time here, and I’ve been a part of some good teams and some great moments already in my young career, and I can’t wait for a few more.

“I’ve got a lot of growth to do, and I’m gonna repay the faith.”

Nicknamed ‘the next Buddy’, after having a three-goal game against Carlton in 2022, which he continued to build on in 2023 kicking 32 goals, the key forward has made 53 disposals and kicked 11 goals in five matches this season – four against Collingwood in round two.  

 

McDonald said he had been motivated watching teammates like Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin, Isaac Heeney, and Tom Papley light up the SCG. 

“[Buddy’s] obviously been a legend in this footy club for so long, and he’s sorely missed, but it makes us so dangerous,” he said.

“The first few years of my career, I was just watched [Buddy] from afar, and to train with him was great. We’re [now] trying to create a dangerous mix [where] anyone can score, and we’re doing that at the moment. 

“We don’t know who’s gonna kick the goals each week, and we found a good mix of us that have been able to hit the scoreboard.”

This Sunday, Sydney will host the Suns at 1pm at the SCG. 

The Suns have garnered an impressive early defensive record this season, coming sixth in the league for clearances. 

The Swans’ young attack versus Gold Coasts’ defence is set to be an interesting match-up, considering the Swans’ forward pack has the second-highest number of goals and goal efficiency.

McDonald said the side was well-prepared for the fixture after having a bye last week due to their involvement in Round Zero. 

“The [bye] came at the perfect time for us,” he added. “It’s important for us to step back, and I think we’ve had a lot of things to work on.

“[Gold Coast have] been unbelievable. Their numbers stack up on top of the competition

“Anything short of our best, they’ll put us to the side, so we had a good session today to bring out our best and compete on a really hot Sunday.”

Looking forward, McDonald spoke about where he sees himself when he reaches his century of matches. 

“Hopefully, I’ve got a couple of premiership medallions around my neck,” he said. “That’d be nice. That’s why we all play footy.

“Other than that, I just [want to] keep developing as a player and improving.”

Main image screenshot courtesy Fox Sport.