CHAD Warner has signed a new two-year deal to stay at Sydney.
As first reported on Gettable in March, Warner had settled on staying at the Swans on a big-money two-year deal despite significant interest from both West Australian clubs.
The deal is worth approximately $2.7-2.8 million over the two years, making him one of the best-paid players in the competition.
It means Warner will remain at the Swans until the end of the 2027 season, when he will become a free agent.
Warner's brother, Corey, signed a new deal this year that will also take him through to the end of the 2027 season.
AFL.com.au reported in March that while a return back to Western Australia would have landed Warner a mega deal in terms of length and pay, this deal takes him through to free agency, with a new Collective Bargaining Agreement set to be in play at the end of that year.
With Tasmania also coming into the competition the following season, the Devils' bids for out-of-contract players are also expected to inflate the pay market for the best players in the game.
Warner says it was returning to his Perth home to play Fremantle in round two that was the catalyst for his decision.
Helping his side to their first win of the season with a star performance in the engine room, the 23-year-old passionately tugged at his guernsey after the final siren.
"I've always said the whole time, I was pretty 50-50," Warner said on Thursday.
"When we went back, played Freo, and I had about a week there in Perth - when I came back here, that was the moment.
"Like anyone going through this process, they'd always have that pull (to go home).
"There was a big part of me that did want to go back.
"But then, I think the part of me that wanted to stay here was even bigger.
"That overweighed in the end, and I'm very excited and happy about my decision.
"I used the contract as a massive motivator at the start of the season.
"Coming back from Perth, not having as much of that noise and deciding what I wanted to do, I think maybe the last couple of games have affected me in that way - not having the motivation as much.
"It's good we can put that to bed and just play footy and win from here."
- with AAP
