Glad Chad works to deliver a rapid rise
CHAD Warner rarely thinks about how quickly his life has changed but pinches himself when he does.
Going from a somewhat speculative draft pick three years ago to arguably Sydney’s most promising player – he sits equal-13th in the AFL coaches’ champion player of the year – is one heck of a rise.
But if you’re going to bet on someone, doing so on a player with an insatiable appetite for the contest who oozes speed and confidence was a pretty good punt for Swans list boss Kinnear Beatson to take.
It also helps that Warner, who had played only one senior game before breaking out last season, claims he is “obsessed with getting better”.
Already far from satisfied with his emergence last year, coach John Longmire told the hard-as-nails 21-year-old in his exit meeting that he had to get fitter.
Sydney officials allowed Perth-raised players Warner and Logan McDonald to complete their pre-season before Christmas in their home state but there was no complacency.
McDonald developed shin soreness and had to be reined in, whereas Warner ploughed on off the back of Longmire’s feedback and his own want to improve.
He trained with WAFL club Claremont with a specific focus on longer-distance running but would also regularly load up a sled with weights before doing repeat sprints.
The rewards have come thick and fast.
Warner, Marcus Bontempelli and Christian Petracca are the only three midfielders this year to rate ‘elite’ in Champion Data’s measure for goals, score assists and score involvements.
It’s little wonder Warner feels he has earned the right to be a bit chirpier on the field.
“I actually did see that. It’s pretty nice to be in that category with those two players who have been doing it for ages,” he said.
“So that’s the next thing – you’ve got to do it for the next couple of years as well, not just this year.”