Sydney's Chad Warner Lauds James Jordon's Tagging Masterclass on Harley Reid
Sydney Swans midfielder Chad Warner has publicly commended the exceptional stopping skills of teammate James Jordon, highlighting his ability to consistently outmaneuver opponents. Warner's praise came following the Swans' dominant 128-point demolition of the West Coast Eagles on Saturday night, where Jordon executed a precise tagging role on Eagles star Harley Reid.
Warner's Insight into Jordon's Craft
Warner, an East Fremantle product who was instrumental in the Swans' midfield drive, emphasized Jordon's tactical prowess. "Harley is such an amazing player. His improvement is huge so you have got to tag him," Warner stated. Reid was effectively subdued by Jordon, managing just one clearance as the Swans controlled ground ball movements between the 50-metre arcs during the first half.
Having experienced Jordon's tagging firsthand in pre-season intra-club matches, Warner described the challenge. "It's not fun and especially in pre-season, when he is trying to get a nice session in," he remarked. Warner praised Jordon's honesty and work ethic, noting the team's support during tagging assignments. "He's so honest, honest as the day is long, and we're trying to help him out as much as we can."
Warner elaborated on Jordon's technical abilities, saying, "He's not a big fella, but his craft is just so good. His feet and hands are so good where it's hard to actually slip him. And he finds ways to just beat you."
Strategic Preparation and Game Analysis
The Swans conducted extensive analysis on the Eagles, who entered the match with back-to-back wins for the first time since 2024. Warner explained, "The main thing was the amount of ground balls that they get in between the arcs. They're a really young team who run, they handball and run, so you have to be ready for a big pressure game." He admitted the physical toll, stating, "It was tough out there with the running. I was pretty cooked."
The game was effectively decided by quarter time, with Sydney kicking six unanswered goals. They maintained momentum with seven-goal second and third terms. Warner overcame an early ankle roll to contribute significantly, kicking two goals, securing six clearances from 19 centre ball-ups, and recording 13 score involvements from 24 possessions, nine of which were contested.
Regarding his injury, Warner said, "The ankle, it's pretty sore. I've never really had anything like that, so I'll have to wait and see but I think it's fine."
Team Dynamics and Future Outlook
Despite a 16-day break compared to the Eagles' six-day turnaround, Warner felt prepared. "We had a big training session last Sunday, so it wasn't really a 16-day break, but it was a bit of a freshen up," he noted. The Swans, now 3-1, have moved past their round three loss to Hawthorn, focusing on improved ball movement and handballing strategies.
Warner expressed admiration for mid-forward Isaac Heeney, who kicked four goals and attended 23 centre ball-ups in a standout performance. "I honestly can't even describe him in words," Warner said. "He's such a tough match-up forward or mid, there's probably no one really like it in the game at the moment."
When asked if the Swans' form mirrored their 2024 grand final season, Warner responded, "I think it's more like a 2026 form. The reality is, there's a long way to go and we've got a lot of improvement to make."
Personal Speculation and Stadium Experience
Warner addressed ongoing speculation about a potential move to West Coast when his contract expires in 2027, stating it doesn't distract him. "Not really, to be honest, I think it's kind of fun having all the speculation, but everyone's got to go through it at some point," he said. He enjoys playing at Optus Stadium, adding, "I like the big ground where you can run a bit. The Swans, we like to use our ball movement on it."
The Swans' forward line delivered strong performances, with Charlie Curnow kicking four goals, and Joel Amartey and Tom Papley contributing two each. Warner defended Curnow from recent criticism, saying, "He probably caught too much flak recently, because he creates such a contest. And the same with Logan [McDonald]. If they're not getting goals, they're creating contests."
Overall, Warner's comments underscore the Swans' strategic depth and collective effort, with Jordon's tagging role serving as a key component in their comprehensive victory over the Eagles.
