The 2016 AFL season was the 120th season in the Australian Football League contested by the Sydney Swans.
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 , Round 7 vs and Round 18 vs ) 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.
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.
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 No. State Player Hgt (cm) Wgt (kg) Date of birth Age (end 2015) AFL Debut Recruited from Games (end 2015) Goals (end 2015) 1 James Rose 185 79 16 April 1996 19 2015 Sturt 2 3 2 Alex Johnson 194 92 2 March 1992 23 2011 Oakleigh (U18) 45 1 3 Jarrad McVeigh (c) 184 74 7 April 1985 30 2004 NSW/ACT (U18) 266 184 4 Dan Hannebery (lg) 181 79 24 February 1991 24 2009 Oakleigh (U18) 144 69 5 Isaac Heeney 184 80 5 May 1996 19 2015 Cardiff, Sydney Swans Academy 14 16 6 Tom Mitchell 181 83 31 May 1993 22 2013 Claremont 39 23 7 Harry Cunningham 181 76 6 December 1993 22 2012 NSW/ACT (U18) 52 31 8 Kurt Tippett 202 108 8 May 1987 28 2008 Southport, Adelaide 152 301 9 Abaina Davis 192 97 27 January 1996 19 UNSW-Eastern Suburbs, Sydney Swans Academy 10 Zak Jones 181 79 15 March 1995 20 2014 Dandenong (U18) 15 1 11 Jeremy Laidler 190 89 5 August 1989 26 2009 Calder (U18), Geelong, Carlton 68 7 12 Josh Kennedy (lg) 188 93 20 June 1988 27 2008 Sandringham (U18), Hawthorn 158 95 13 Toby Nankervis 199 106 12 August 1994 21 2015 North Launceston 5 1 14 Callum Mills 186 80 2 April 1997 18 North Shore, Sydney Swans Academy 15 Kieren Jack (c) 178 75 28 June 1987 28 2007 NSW/ACT (U18) 185 131 16 Gary Rohan 188 90 7 June 1991 24 2010 Geelong (U18) 61 42 17 Jack Hiscox 184 74 23 March 1995 20 Sydney Uni, Sydney Swans Academy 18 Callum Sinclair 200 99 23 September 1989 26 2013 Subiaco, 29 18 19 Tom Derickx 200 102 7 December 1987 28 2012 Claremont, Richmond 15 6 20 Sam Reid 196 98 27 December 1991 24 2010 Murray (U18) 98 94 21 Ben McGlynn 172 76 6 August 1985 30 2006 Bendigo (U18), Hawthorn 153 171 22 Dean Towers 189 86 4 May 1990 25 2014 North Ballarat 17 8 23 Lance Franklin 197 107 30 January 1987 29 2005 Perth, Hawthorn 221 706 24 Dane Rampe (lg) 188 87 2 June 1990 25 2013 UNSW-Eastern 72 5 25 Ted Richards 193 92 11 January 1983 32 2002 Sandringham (U18), Essendon 253 32 26 Luke Parker (lg) 183 85 25 October 1992 23 2011 Dandenong (U18) 101 78 27 Daniel Robinson 185 82 3 July 1994 21 2015 Mosman Football Club 4 2 29 George Hewett 185 83 29 December 1995 20 North Adelaide 30 Tyrone Leonardis 182 78 22 February 1997 18 Northern (U18) 32 Michael Talia 194 94 11 February 1993 22 2012 Calder (U18), 30 3 33 Brandon Jack 182 77 25 May 1994 21 2013 Pennant Hills 27 16 34 Jordan Dawson 190 84 9 April 1997 18 Sturt 35 Sam Naismith 206 108 16 July 1992 23 2014 North Shore 1 0 36 Aliir Aliir 193 94 5 September 1994 21 East Fremantle 39 Heath Grundy (lg) 192 106 2 June 1986 29 2006 Norwood 187 23 40 Nick Smith (lg) 183 79 12 June 1988 27 2008 Oakleigh (U18) 142 9 42 Xavier Richards 195 91 25 April 1993 22 2013 Sandringham (U18) 2 0 44 Jake Lloyd 180 76 20 September 1993 22 2014 North Ballarat (U18) 43 11 Rookie List No. State Player Hgt Wgt Date of birth Age Debut Recruited from Games Goals 28 Nic Newman 188 81 15 January 1993 22 Frankston 31 Harry Marsh 189 82 13 January 1994 21 East Fremantle 38 Colin O'Riordan 188 87 12 October 1995 20 Tipperary GAA 41 Tom Papley 176 71 13 July 1996 19 Gippsland (U18) 43 Lewis Melican 194 80 4 November 1996 19 Geelong U18 45 Jordan Foote 183 76 2 January 1996 19 UNSW-Eastern Suburbs, Sydney Swans Academy 46 Sam Murray 188 72 2 September 1997 18 Wodonga 47 Kyle Galloway 206 104 21 November 1996 19 Shepparton Senior coaching panel State Coach Coaching position Sydney Coaching debut Former clubs as coach John Longmire Senior coach 2002 Stuart Dew Senior Assistant Coach (midfield) 2009 Josh Francou Assistant coach (Stoppages) 2015 Brett Kirk Assistant coach (Forwards) 2016 (a) Henry Playfair Assistant coach (defence) 2010 Sydney Swans (NEAFL) (s) John Blakey Coaching Director/Head of Development 2006 (a) Nick Davis Development coach 2016 Rhyce Shaw Reserves Coach 2016 Jared Crouch Academy coaching Director 2011
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 Player Previous Club League via Callum Sinclair AFL Trade Michael Talia AFL Trade Callum Mills North Shore Sydney AFL Pick 3, 2015 National Draft (Academy selection) Tyrone Leonardis Northern (U18) TAC Cup Pick 51, 2015 National Draft Jordan Dawson Sturt SANFL Pick 56, 2015 National Draft Tom Papley Gippsland (U18) TAC Cup Pick 14, 2016 Rookie Draft Kyle Galloway Shepparton GVFL Pick 59, 2016 Rookie Draft Sam Murray Wodonga O&MFL Pick 66, 2016 Rookie Draft Colin O'Riordan Tipperary GAA Pick 69, 2016 Rookie Draft (International Rookie)
Out Player New Club League via Adam Goodes Retired Rhyce Shaw Retired Mike Pyke Retired Lewis Jetta AFL Trade Craig Bird AFL Trade Lloyd Perris Delisted Sean McLaren Delisted
List management Player Change Sam Naismith Promoted from the rookie list to the senior list Harry Marsh Demoted from the senior list to the rookie list during 2016 Rookie Draft (pick 32)
Season summary
Pre-season matches Rd Date and local time Opponent Scores (Sydney's scores indicated in bold) Venue Attendance Home Away Result 1 Saturday, 20 February (4:40 pm) 1.10.12 (81) 1.7.9 (60) Won by 21 points Blacktown International Sportspark (H) 3,172 2 Friday, 4 March (7:10 pm) 1.8.3 (60) 0.14.10 (94) Lost by 34 points Drummoyne Oval (H) 4,754 3 Friday, 11 March (5:50 pm) 1.8.12 (69) 0.14.7 (91) Won by 22 points Etihad Stadium (A) 6,804
Home and away season
Rd Date and local time Opponent Scores (Sydney's scores indicated in bold) Venue Attendance Ladderposition Record Ref. Home Away Result 1 Saturday, 26 March (7:25 pm) 18.25 (133) 7.11 (53) Won by 80 points Sydney Cricket Ground (H) 33,857 2nd 1-0 2 Sunday, 3 April (4:40 pm) 10.11 (71) 20.11 (131) Won by 60 points Etihad Stadium (A) 33,146 2nd 2-0 3 Saturday, 9 April (4:35 pm) 14.9 (93) 10.8 (68) Won by 25 points Sydney Cricket Ground (H) 37,045 1st 3-0 4 Saturday, 16 April (7:10 pm) 16.17 (113) 15.13 (103) Lost by 10 points Adelaide Oval (A) 51,330 3rd 3-1 5 Saturday, 23 April (1:40 pm) 12.16 (88) 7.7 (49) Won by 39 points Sydney Cricket Ground (H) 35,427 3rd 4-1 6 Sunday, 1 May (1:10 pm) 14.10 (94) 15.7 (97) Won by 3 points The Gabba (A) 14,646 3rd 5-1 7 Saturday, 7 May (4:35 pm) 20.15 (135) 7.12 (54) Won by 81 points Sydney Cricket Ground (H) 29,527 3rd 6-1 8 Saturday, 14 May (7:25 pm) 14.17 (101) 15.10 (100) Lost by 1 point Melbourne Cricket Ground (A) 36,014 4th 6-2 9 Friday, 20 May (7:50 pm) 7.13 (55) 10.9 (69) Won by 14 points Melbourne Cricket Ground (A) 61,552 4th 7-2 10 Friday, 27 May (7:50 pm) 14.7 (91) 9.11 (65) Won by 26 points Sydney Cricket Ground (H) 38,498 2nd 8-2 11 Saturday, 4 June (7:25 pm) 6.5 (41) 11.13 (79) Won by 38 points Metricon Stadium (A) 4,368 2nd 9-2 12 Sunday, 12 June (4:40 pm) 15.15 (105) 9.9 (63) Lost by 42 points Spotless Stadium (A) 21,541 3rd 9-3 13 Sunday, 19 June (1:10 pm) 12.14 (86) 4.7 (31) Won by 55 points Sydney Cricket Ground (H) 19,086 2nd 10-3 14 Bye 2nd 10-3 15 Saturday, 2 July (4:35 pm) 11.13 (79) 13.5 (83) Lost by 4 points Sydney Cricket Ground (H) 33,386 4th 10-4 16 Friday, 8 July (7:50 pm) 9.6 (60) 15.8 (98) Won by 38 points Simonds Stadium (A) 24,339 2nd 11-4 17 Thursday, 14 July (7:20 pm) 10.10 (70) 11.9 (75) Lost by 5 points Sydney Cricket Ground (H) 42,314 5th 11-5 18 Saturday, 23 July (1:45 pm) 10.14 (74) 10.8 (68) Won by 6 points Sydney Cricket Ground (H) 31,765 3rd 12-5 19 Sunday, 31 July (1:20 pm) 7.5 (47) 21.11 (137) Won by 90 points Domain Stadium (A) 32,401 3rd 13-5 20 Saturday, 6 August (1:45 pm) 14.16 (100) 4.9 (33) Won by 67 points Sydney Cricket Ground (H) 30,204 2nd 14-5 21 Saturday, 13 August (7:25 pm) 11.10 (76) 23.8 (146) Won by 70 points Etihad Stadium (A) 33,059 2nd 15-5 22 Saturday, 20 August (1:45 pm) 10.16 (76) 12.13 (85) Won by 9 points Blundstone Arena (A) 16,495 1st 16-5 23 Saturday, 27 August (4:35 pm) 25.14 (164) 7.9 (51) Won by 113 points Sydney Cricket Ground (H) 36,570 1st 17-5 Source
Finals matches Round Date and local time Opponent Scores (Sydney's scores indicated in bold) Venue Attendance Ref Home Away Result QF Saturday, 10 September (3:20 pm) 7.13 (55) 12.19 (91) Lost by 36 points Stadium Australia (H) 60,222 SF Saturday, 17 September (7:25 pm) 18.10 (118) 12.10 (82) Won by 36 points Sydney Cricket Ground (H) 38,136 PF Friday, 23 September (7:50 pm) 8.12 (60) 15.7 (97) Won by 37 points Melbourne Cricket Ground (A) 71,772 GF Saturday, 1 October (2:30 pm) 10.7 (67) 13.11 (89) Lost by 22 points Melbourne Cricket Ground (H) 99,981
Ladder
Individual awards and records
Bob Skilton Medal Bob Skilton Medal Rank Player Votes 1 Josh Kennedy 922 2 Dan Hannebery 913 3 Heath Grundy 865 4 Luke Parker 834 5 Dane Rampe 833 6 Lance Franklin 827 7 Jake Lloyd 684 8 Tom Mitchell 672 9 Nick Smith 622 10 Kieren Jack 601
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
All-Australian Team AFL Rising Star No. State Player Status Position 4 Dan Hannebery In Team Wing 12 Josh Kennedy In Team Centre 23 Lance Franklin In Team Centre-half forward 24 Dane Rampe In Team Back pocket 26 Luke Parker In Team Interchange bench
Milestones Milestones No. State Player Milestone Round 8 Kurt Tippett 50th club game Round 2 12 Josh Kennedy 150th club game Round 5 4 Dan Hannebery 150th career game Round 6 11 Jeremy Laidler 50th club game Round 8 40 Nick Smith 150th career game Round 9 6 Tom Mitchell 50th career game Round 11 39 Heath Grundy 200th career game Round 13 23 Lance Franklin 750th career goal Round 13 15 Kieren Jack 200th career game Round 16 23 Lance Franklin 200th club goal Round 23 John Longmire 100th career coaching win Round 23
Debuts Debuts No. State Player Round 14 Callum Mills Round 1 18 Callum Sinclair Round 11 29 George Hewett Round 1 32 Michael Talia Round 11 41 Tom Papley Round 1 36 Aliir Aliir Round 6 17 Jack Hiscox Round 8 31 Harry Marsh Round 10 45 Jordan Foote Round 18 1Had previously played for another club but played their first match for the Sydney Swans.
AFL Rising Star AFL Rising Star No. State Player Status Round 41 Tom Papley Nominated Round 5 14 Callum Mills Winner Round 16
Reserves
Regular season