AFL career
2020–2021: Debut Seasons
Warner debuted in the Swans' eight point loss to the Richmond Tigers in the 6th round of the 2020 AFL season, alongside teammate Dylan Stephens. [12] [13] [14] On his debut, Warner picked up 8 disposals, 2 marks and 2 tackles. [15]
After a great start to the 2021 AFL season, Warner received a 2021 AFL Rising Star nomination [16] after he kicked 2 goals, collected 20 disposals and had 417 metres gained in a career best performance against Richmond in Round 3. [17] He re-signed with the club the day he received his nomination, keeping him at the club until 2023. [18] The following week saw him named as one of the Swans' best [19] after he collected 23 disposals, his highest total in a game to that point.
In 2021 Warner missed Round 13 due to leg soreness. He returned in their 1-point loss to Greater Western Sydney in Week 1 of the Finals.
2022–2023: Rise
Warner started the 2022 season by missing the opening round with COVID-19 but he played the next game and was the one who kicked the ball to Lance Franklin when he kicked his 1000th goal. He then enjoyed a breakout 2022 season with his incredible burst and impact per touch immediately marking him as one of the best young players of the competition. AFL journalist Damian Barrett spoke many times about the high esteem he places him in, even counting him a certainty to win the Brownlow at some stage. His incredible season was awarded when he was included in the All Australian Squad and was the runner-up in the Bob Skilton Medal. He was the clear best on ground for the Swans in their grand final loss.
In Round 5 of the 2023 season Warner played his first game alongside his younger brother Corey Warner in which Corey kicked his first goal. In Sydney’s Indigenous Round clash with Carlton Warner stepped up collecting 29 disposals and kicking 2 goals to be awarded with the Goodes-O’Loughlin Medal for Best on Ground in the game. Warner finished the 2023 season after playing 21 out of a possible 24 games for Sydney and polling his teams’ second most Brownlow votes with 16 on the night. His poll was only behind fellow young gun Errol Gulden who polled 27.
2024: All-Australian selection and second Grand Final loss
Warner had an excellent year in 2024 helping Sydney reach the Grand Final. Warner starred across the year which was reflected with his inaugural All-Australian selection. [20] Warner's standout performances of the season were in Rounds 11, 18, and 22. Round 11 was a 4 goal, 25 disposal display in a 14 point win over the Western Bulldogs. [21] Round 18 included 31 disposals and 6 clearances in a dominant 79 point win. [22] Finally, Round 22 brought a match winning 33 disposal 2 goal outing which helped accomplish a 3 point win over Collingwood. [23] On Grand Final day Warner was active, having 21 disposals and kicking a goal however they unfortunately fell short and lossed by 60 points to the Brisbane Lions. [24]
2025 came with a lot of change for Sydney with a new coach in, Dean Cox, and the absence of star midfielder, Errol Gulden, for the majority of the season caused the Swans to finish 10th and miss September. Warner fell a bit in 2025, not kicking over 2 goals in a game at all during the year and only collecting 30 or more disposals on one occasion. [25] This was shown as Warner didn't receiver a single vote on Brownlow night where just the year prior he racked up 23 votes and finished in the top 10. [26] Warner's best performances of the year were in Round 10 where, as previously stated, he gained 30 disposals and kicked 2 goals, further in Round 22, Warner helped the Swans accomplish a two point over eventual premiers, Brisbane, through his 26 disposals and 2 goals. [27] 2025 also came with the opportunity for Chad to play more games alongside his brother Corey, as Corey found himself playing 14 games for the seniors. [28]
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