2016 Sydney Swans season

The 2016 AFL season was the 120th season in the Australian Football League contested by the Sydney Swans.

Sydney Swans
2016 season
PresidentAndrew Pridham
CoachJohn Longmire
(6th season)
Captain(s)Kieren Jack
(4th season)
Jarrad McVeigh
(6th season)
Home groundSCG
(Capacity: 48,000)
NAB Challenge6th
AFL season1st (17-5)
Finals2nd
(defeated by Western Bulldogs in the Grand Final)
Bob Skilton MedalJosh Kennedy
Leading goalkickerLance Franklin (81)
Highest home attendance99,981 vs Western Bulldogs
(Grand Final)
Lowest home attendance19,086 vs Melbourne
(Round 13)
Average home attendance40,430 (Increase 8,939)
Club membership56,523 (Increase 7,687)

Club summary

After having split its home games between the Sydney Cricket Ground and ANZ Stadium since 2002, Sydney returned to playing all games at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The club and the stadium had originally planned to end their agreement at the end of the 2016 season, but the two parties agreed on February 29 to end the agreement one year early. The three 2016 matches which were scheduled for ANZ Stadium (Round 1 vs Collingwood, Round 7 vs Essendon and Round 18 vs Carlton) were shifted to the Sydney Cricket Ground as a result. Under the club's new stadium arrangement, it has committed to playing all home games at the Sydney Cricket Ground in a thirty-year deal, set to end in 2046.[1]

On 12 April 2016, the Swans broke the 50,000 members milestone for the first time, breaking the club's record of 48,836 members set in 2015.[2]

Squad for 2016

Statistics are correct as of end of 2015 season.Flags represent the state of origin, i.e. the state in which the player played his Under-18s football.

Senior List[3]
No.StatePlayerHgt (cm)Wgt (kg)Date of BirthAge (end 2015)AFL DebutRecruited fromGames (end 2015)Goals (end 2015)
1 James Rose1857916 April 1996192015Sturt23
2 Alex Johnson194922 March 1992232011Oakleigh (U18)451
3 Jarrad McVeigh (c)184747 April 1985302004NSW/ACT (U18)266184
4 Dan Hannebery (lg)1817924 February 1991242009Oakleigh (U18)14469
5 Isaac Heeney184805 May 1996192015Cardiff, Sydney Swans Academy1416
6 Tom Mitchell1818331 May 1993222013Claremont3923
7 Harry Cunningham181766 December 1993222012NSW/ACT (U18)5231
8 Kurt Tippett2021088 May 1987282008Southport, Adelaide152301
9 Abaina Davis1929727 January 199619UNSW-Eastern Suburbs, Sydney Swans Academy
10 Zak Jones1817915 March 1995202014Dandenong (U18)151
11 Jeremy Laidler190895 August 1989262009Calder (U18), Geelong, Carlton687
12 Josh Kennedy (lg)1889320 June 1988272008Sandringham (U18), Hawthorn15895
13 Toby Nankervis19910612 August 1994212015North Launceston51
14 Callum Mills186802 April 199718North Shore, Sydney Swans Academy
15 Kieren Jack (c)1787528 June 1987282007NSW/ACT (U18)185131
16 Gary Rohan188907 June 1991242010Geelong (U18)6142
17 Jack Hiscox1847423 March 199520Sydney Uni, Sydney Swans Academy
18 Callum Sinclair2009923 September 1989262013Subiaco, West Coast2918
19 Tom Derickx2001027 December 1987282012Claremont, Richmond156
20 Sam Reid1969827 December 1991242010Murray (U18)9894
21 Ben McGlynn172766 August 1985302006Bendigo (U18), Hawthorn153171
22 Dean Towers189864 May 1990252014North Ballarat178
23 Lance Franklin19710730 January 1987292005Perth, Hawthorn221706
24 Dane Rampe (lg)188872 June 1990252013UNSW-Eastern725
25 Ted Richards1939211 January 1983322002Sandringham (U18), Essendon25332
26 Luke Parker (lg)1838525 October 1992232011Dandenong (U18)10178
27 Daniel Robinson185823 July 1994212015Mosman Football Club42
29 George Hewett1858329 December 199520North Adelaide
30 Tyrone Leonardis1827822 February 199718Northern (U18)
32 Michael Talia1949411 February 1993222012Calder (U18), Western Bulldogs303
33 Brandon Jack1827725 May 1994212013Pennant Hills2716
34 Jordan Dawson190849 April 199718Sturt
35 Sam Naismith20610816 July 1992232014North Shore10
36 Aliir Aliir193945 September 199421East Fremantle
39 Heath Grundy (lg)1921062 June 1986292006Norwood18723
40 Nick Smith (lg)1837912 June 1988272008Oakleigh (U18)1429
42 Xavier Richards1959125 April 1993222013Sandringham (U18)20
44 Jake Lloyd1807620 September 1993222014North Ballarat (U18)4311
Rookie List[4]
No.StatePlayerHgtWgtDate of BirthAgeDebutRecruited fromGamesGoals
28 Nic Newman1888115 January 199322Frankston
31 Harry Marsh1898213 January 199421East Fremantle
38 Colin O'Riordan1888712 October 199520Tipperary GAA
41 Tom Papley1767113 July 199619Gippsland (U18)
43 Lewis Melican194804 November 199619Geelong U18
45 Jordan Foote183762 January 199619UNSW-Eastern Suburbs, Sydney Swans Academy
46 Sam Murray188722 September 199718Wodonga
47 Kyle Galloway20610421 November 199619Shepparton
Senior coaching panel[5]
StateCoachCoaching positionSydney Coaching debutFormer clubs as coach
John LongmireSenior coach2002
Stuart DewSenior Assistant Coach (midfield)2009
Josh FrancouAssistant coach (Stoppages)2015
Brett KirkAssistant coach (Forwards)2016Fremantle (a)
Henry PlayfairAssistant coach (defence)2010Sydney Swans (NEAFL) (s)
John BlakeyCoaching Director/Head of Development2006Brisbane Lions (a)
Nick DavisDevelopment coach2016
Rhyce ShawReserves Coach2016
Jared CrouchAcademy coaching Director2011
  • For players: (c) denotes captain, (vc) denotes vice-captain, (lg) denotes leadership group.
  • For coaches: (s) denotes senior coach, (cs) denotes caretaker senior coach, (a) denotes assistant coach, (d) denotes development coach.

Playing list changes

The following summarises all player changes between the conclusion of the 2015 season and the beginning of the 2016 season.

In

PlayerPrevious ClubLeaguevia
Callum SinclairWest CoastAFLTrade[6]
Michael TaliaWestern BulldogsAFLTrade[7]
Callum MillsNorth ShoreSydney AFLPick 3, 2015 National Draft (Academy selection)
Tyrone LeonardisNorthern (U18)TAC CupPick 51, 2015 National Draft
Jordan DawsonSturtSANFLPick 56, 2015 National Draft
Tom PapleyGippsland (U18)TAC CupPick 14, 2016 Rookie Draft
Kyle GallowaySheppartonGVFLPick 59, 2016 Rookie Draft
Sam MurrayWodongaO&MFLPick 66, 2016 Rookie Draft
Colin O'RiordanTipperaryGAAPick 69, 2016 Rookie Draft (International Rookie)[8]

Out

PlayerNew ClubLeaguevia
Adam GoodesRetired[9]
Rhyce ShawRetired[10]
Mike PykeRetired[11]
Lewis JettaWest CoastAFLTrade[12]
Craig BirdEssendonAFLTrade[13]
Lloyd PerrisDelisted[14]
Sean McLarenDelisted[15]

List management

PlayerChange
Sam NaismithPromoted from the rookie list to the senior list
Harry MarshDemoted from the senior list to the rookie list during 2016 Rookie Draft (pick 32)

Season summary

Pre-season matches

Rd Date and local timeOpponentScores (Sydney's scores indicated in bold)VenueAttendance
HomeAwayResult
1Saturday, 20 February (4:40 pm)Port Adelaide1.10.12 (81)1.7.9 (60)Won by 21 points[16]Blacktown International Sportspark (H)3,172
2Friday, 4 March (7:10 pm)Greater Western Sydney1.8.3 (60)0.14.10 (94)Lost by 34 points[17]Drummoyne Oval (H)4,754
3Friday, 11 March (5:50 pm)Carlton1.8.12 (69)0.14.7 (91)Won by 22 points[18]Etihad Stadium (A)6,804

Home and away season

RdDate and local timeOpponentScores (Sydney's scores indicated in bold)VenueAttendanceLadder
position
RecordRef.
HomeAwayResult
1Saturday, 26 March (7:25 pm)Collingwood18.25 (133)7.11 (53)Won by 80 pointsSydney Cricket Ground (H)33,8572nd1-0[19]
2Sunday, 3 April (4:40 pm)Carlton10.11 (71)20.11 (131)Won by 60 pointsEtihad Stadium (A)33,1462nd2-0[20]
3Saturday, 9 April (4:35 pm)Greater Western Sydney14.9 (93)10.8 (68)Won by 25 pointsSydney Cricket Ground (H)37,0451st3-0[21]
4Saturday, 16 April (7:10 pm)Adelaide16.17 (113)15.13 (103)Lost by 10 pointsAdelaide Oval (A)51,3303rd3-1[22]
5Saturday, 23 April (1:40 pm)West Coast12.16 (88)7.7 (49)Won by 39 pointsSydney Cricket Ground (H)35,4273rd4-1[23]
6Sunday, 1 May (1:10 pm)Brisbane Lions14.10 (94)15.7 (97)Won by 3 pointsThe Gabba (A)14,6463rd5-1[24]
7Saturday, 7 May (4:35 pm)Essendon20.15 (135)7.12 (54)Won by 81 pointsSydney Cricket Ground (H)29,5273rd6-1[25]
8Saturday, 14 May (7:25 pm)Richmond14.17 (101)15.10 (100)Lost by 1 pointMelbourne Cricket Ground (A)36,0144th6-2[26]
9Friday, 20 May (7:50 pm)Hawthorn7.13 (55)10.9 (69)Won by 14 pointsMelbourne Cricket Ground (A)61,5524th7-2[27]
10Friday, 27 May (7:50 pm)North Melbourne14.7 (91)9.11 (65)Won by 26 pointsSydney Cricket Ground (H)38,4982nd8-2[28]
11Saturday, 4 June (7:25 pm)Gold Coast6.5 (41)11.13 (79)Won by 38 pointsMetricon Stadium (A)4,3682nd9-2[29]
12Sunday, 12 June (4:40 pm)Greater Western Sydney15.15 (105)9.9 (63)Lost by 42 pointsSpotless Stadium (A)21,5413rd9-3[30]
13Sunday, 19 June (1:10 pm)Melbourne12.14 (86)4.7 (31)Won by 55 pointsSydney Cricket Ground (H)19,0862nd10-3[31]
14Bye2nd10-3
15Saturday, 2 July (4:35 pm)Western Bulldogs11.13 (79)13.5 (83)Lost by 4 pointsSydney Cricket Ground (H)33,3864th10-4[32]
16Friday, 8 July (7:50 pm)Geelong9.6 (60)15.8 (98)Won by 38 pointsSimonds Stadium (A)24,3392nd11-4[33]
17Thursday, 14 July (7:20 pm)Hawthorn10.10 (70)11.9 (75)Lost by 5 pointsSydney Cricket Ground (H)42,3145th11-5[34]
18Saturday, 23 July (1:45 pm)Carlton10.14 (74)10.8 (68)Won by 6 pointsSydney Cricket Ground (H)31,7653rd12-5[35]
19Sunday, 31 July (1:20 pm)Fremantle7.5 (47)21.11 (137)Won by 90 pointsDomain Stadium (A)32,4013rd13-5[36]
20Saturday, 6 August (1:45 pm)Port Adelaide14.16 (100)4.9 (33)Won by 67 pointsSydney Cricket Ground (H)30,2042nd14-5[37]
21Saturday, 13 August (7:25 pm)St Kilda11.10 (76)23.8 (146)Won by 70 pointsEtihad Stadium (A)33,0592nd15-5[38]
22Saturday, 20 August (1:45 pm)North Melbourne10.16 (76)12.13 (85)Won by 9 pointsBlundstone Arena (A)16,4951st16-5[39]
23Saturday, 27 August (4:35 pm)Richmond25.14 (164)7.9 (51)Won by 113 pointsSydney Cricket Ground (H)36,5701st17-5[40]
Source Archived 17 December 2016 at the Wayback Machine

Finals matches

Round Date and local timeOpponentScores (Sydney's scores indicated in bold)VenueAttendanceRef
HomeAwayResult
QFSaturday, 10 September (3:20 pm)Greater Western Sydney7.13 (55)12.19 (91)Lost by 36 pointsStadium Australia (H)60,222[41]
SFSaturday, 17 September (7:25 pm)Adelaide18.10 (118)12.10 (82)Won by 36 pointsSydney Cricket Ground (H)38,136[42]
PFFriday, 23 September (7:50 pm)Geelong8.12 (60)15.7 (97)Won by 37 pointsMelbourne Cricket Ground (A)71,772[43]
GFSaturday, 1 October (2:30 pm)Western Bulldogs10.7 (67)13.11 (89)Lost by 22 pointsMelbourne Cricket Ground (H)99,981[44]

Ladder

PosTeamPldWLDPFPAPPPtsQualification
1Sydney22175022211469151.2682016 finals
2Geelong22175022351554143.868
3Hawthorn22175021341800118.668
4Greater Western Sydney22166023801663143.164
5Adelaide22166024831795138.364
6West Coast22166021811678130.064
7Western Bulldogs (P)22157018571609115.460
8North Melbourne221210019561859105.248
9St Kilda22121001953204195.748
10Port Adelaide221012020551939106.040
11Melbourne22101201944199197.640
12Collingwood2291301910199895.636
13Richmond2281401713215579.532
14Carlton2271501568197879.328
15Gold Coast2261601778227378.224
16Fremantle2241801574211974.316
17Brisbane Lions2231901770287261.612
18Essendon2231901437235661.012
Source: AFL
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for.
(P) Premiers

Individual awards and records

Bob Skilton Medal
RankPlayerVotes
1Josh Kennedy922
2Dan Hannebery913
3Heath Grundy865
4Luke Parker834
5Dane Rampe833
6Lance Franklin827
7Jake Lloyd684
8Tom Mitchell672
9Nick Smith622
10Kieren Jack601

Rising Star Award: Callum Mills

Dennis Carroll Trophy for Most Improved Player: Aliir Aliir

Barry Round Shield for Best Clubman: Alex Johnson

Paul Kelly Players’ Player: Lance Franklin

Paul Roos Award for Best Player in a Finals Series: Heath Grundy & Josh Kennedy

AFL Rising Star
No.StatePlayerStatusPosition
4 Dan HanneberyIn TeamWing
12 Josh KennedyIn TeamCentre
23 Lance FranklinIn TeamCentre-half forward
24 Dane RampeIn TeamBack pocket
26 Luke ParkerIn TeamInterchange bench

Milestones

Milestones
No.StatePlayerMilestoneRound
8 Kurt Tippett50th club gameRound 2
12 Josh Kennedy150th club gameRound 5
4 Dan Hannebery150th career gameRound 6
11 Jeremy Laidler50th club gameRound 8
40 Nick Smith150th career gameRound 9
6 Tom Mitchell50th career gameRound 11
39 Heath Grundy200th career gameRound 13
23 Lance Franklin750th career goalRound 13
15 Kieren Jack200th career gameRound 16
23 Lance Franklin200th club goalRound 23
John Longmire100th career coaching winRound 23

Debuts

Debuts
No.StatePlayerRound
14 Callum MillsRound 1
18 Callum SinclairRound 11
29 George HewettRound 1
32 Michael TaliaRound 11
41 Tom PapleyRound 1
36 Aliir AliirRound 6
17 Jack HiscoxRound 8
31 Harry MarshRound 10
45 Jordan FooteRound 18

1Had previously played for another club but played their first match for the Sydney Swans.

AFL Rising Star
No.StatePlayerStatusRound
41 Tom PapleyNominatedRound 5
14 Callum MillsWinnerRound 16

Reserves

Regular season

RdDate and local timeOpponentScores (Sydney's scores indicated in bold)VenueLadder
position
HomeAwayResult
1Saturday, 2 April (11:00 am)Brisbane Lions5.10 (40)25.12 (162)Won by 122 pointsBurpengary Sports Complex (A)1st
2Saturday, 9 April (10:30 am)UWS Giants17.13 (115)14.13 (97)Won by 18 pointsBlacktown International Sportspark (H)1st
3Saturday, 16 April (1:00 pm)Redland7.10 (52)23.11 (149)Won by 97 pointsLeyshon Park (A)1st
4Saturday, 23 April (9:30 am)Southport12.13 (85)6.9 (45)Won by 40 pointsDrummoyne Oval (H)1st
5Sunday, 1 May (9:30 am)Brisbane Lions3.7 (25)20.15 (135)Won by 110 pointsCoorparoo (A)1st
6Saturday, 7 May (12:00 pm)Gold Coast18.12 (120)8.7 (55)Won by 65 pointsDrummoyne Oval (H)1st
7Saturday, 14 May (12:00 pm)Canberra4.4 (28)26.14 (170)Won by 142 pointsManuka Oval (A)1st
8Bye1st
9Friday, 27 May (4:10 pm)Sydney University6.8 (44)15.13 (103)Won by 59 pointsSydney Cricket Ground (A)1st
10Saturday, 4 June (12:00 pm)Gold Coast3.3 (21)15.17 (107)Won by 86 pointsMetricon Stadium (A)1st
11Sunday, 12 June (1:00 pm)UWS Giants16.13 (109)16.12 (108)Lost by 1 pointSpotless Stadium (A)1st
12Sunday, 19 June (9:30 am)Aspley16.14 (110)7.5 (47)Won by 63 pointsSydney Cricket Ground (H)1st
13Bye1st
14Saturday, 2 July (12:55 pm)NT Thunder19.13 (127)9.7 (61)Won by 66 pointsSydney Cricket Ground (H)1st
15Saturday, 9 July (12:00 pm)Canberra6.7 (43)20.20 (140)Won by 97 pointsManuka Oval (A)1st
16Saturday, 16 July (12:00 pm)Gold Coast26.14 (170)7.4 (46)Won by 124 pointsNewcastle Oval (H)1st
17Saturday, 23 July (10:05 am)UWS Giants4.19 (43)10.8 (68)Lost by 25 pointsSydney Cricket Ground (H)1st
18Bye1st
19Saturday, 6 August (10:05 am)Brisbane Lions24.16 (160)3.7 (25)Won by 135 pointsSydney Cricket Ground (H)1st
20Saturday, 13 August (6:30 pm)NT Thunder14.8 (92)8.6 (54)Lost by 38 pointsMarrara Oval (A)1st
21Saturday, 20 August (2:00 pm)Sydney University5.13 (43)10.8 (68)Won by 25 pointsBlacktown International Sportspark (A)1st

Finals series

RdDate and local timeOpponentScores (Sydney's scores indicated in bold)Venue
HomeAwayResult
EFBye
SFSaturday, 3 September (11:25 am)Aspley15.23 (113)4.7 (31)Won by 82 pointsBlacktown International Sportspark (H)
GFSunday, 11 September (1:30 pm)UWS Giants11.12 (78)11.16 (82)Lost by 4 pointsBlacktown International Sportspark (H)

Ladder

2016 Ladder
PosTeamPldWLDPFPAPPPts
1Sydney Swans1815302126941225.960
2WSU Giants (P)18126019111319144.948
3Sydney University18126014711368107.548
4Aspley18126015271432106.648
5NT Thunder18117016191388116.644
6Gold Coast1881001460183279.732
7Southport18711015221473103.328
8Redland1871101269157280.728
9Canberra1831501196188363.512
10Brisbane Lions1831501061195454.312
Source: [1]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for.
(P) Premiers

References