AFL Supercoach 2026: Sydney Swans 2026 Squad Analysis

The Swans are firming as one of the clubs set for a big rise in 2026, after missing out on September action in Dean Cox’s first year in charge last year.

After the heartbreak of a grand final loss in 2024, the Swans struggled to put it together on field in Cox’s first season, but an aggressive off-season has them primed to contend once more this year.

Headlining the inclusions is former Carlton spearhead Charlie Curnow, who will lead the forward line in 2026. The Swans also added a pair of bargain pickups in ex-Hawk Jai Serong and ex-Sun Malcolm Rosas jnr via trade, plus a raft of young talent through the draft. 

Will Hayward and Oliver Florent headed to IKON Park as a part of the Curnow trade, while fringe forward Jack Buller made his way to Collingwood.

Let’s take a look at Sydney’s SuperCoach prospects for the upcoming season.

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Predicted Round 1 starting team

FB: Jai Serong, Lewis Melican, Sam Wicks

HB: Nick Blakey, Tom McCartin, Callum Mills

C: Errol Gulden, James Rowbottom, Justin McInerney

HF: James Jordon, Charlie Curnow, Tom Papley
FF: Malcolm Rosas jnr, Logan McDonald, Joel Amartey
FOLL: Brodie Grundy, Chad Warner, Isaac Heeney

I/C: Braeden Campbell, Dane Rampe, Hayden McLean, Matt Roberts, Angus Sheldrick

Analysis: A few fresh faces for Dean Cox to work with in 2026 and all of Curnow, Serong and Rosas jnr are in line to play early. Is this the year the Swans start phasing out some of their seasoned campaigners for fresh blood? The likes of Jesse Dattoli, Harry Kyle, Caiden Cleary and Corey Warner are on the fringes of selection, but as are Jake Lloyd, Harry Cunningham and Taylor Adams. Errol Gulden has had a full pre-season which is massive given his injury-hit 2025 campaign, while Callum Mills is another looking to recapture his best form in 2026.

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Fixtures

Round 1: Brisbane (H)

Round 2: Hawthorn (A)

Round 3: Bye

Round 4: West Coast (A)

Round 5: Gold Coast (H)

Byes: Round 3 & 15

Verdict: The Swans kick off the 2026 season against the Blues in Opening Round, which means they’ve got an annoying round 3 bye, which they share with the Suns, Hawks and Dogs. It’s a pretty tough start to the year for the Swans, but their fixture opens up from round 8 onwards, with clashes against Melbourne, North Melbourne, Richmond, St Kilda and Port Adelaide all before their mid-season bye. They share the round 15 bye with the Eagles, Bombers and Lions. If you’re a head-to-head player, the Swans’ fixtures are pretty juicy during SuperCoach finals time. 

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LOCK

All signs point towards a return to top form for Errol Gulden ($566,600 MID) in 2026. Gulden missed the first half of last year through injury, which meant he never really hit his straps. Having said that, in his ten matches last season, he only dropped below 92 once.

You don’t have to look far though for the numbers that back him as a selection this year. In 2024 he averaged 108 SuperCoach points per game and in 2023 he averaged 111.3 points per game. He’s always had the ceiling and if the Swans are to rise again in 2026, he’ll have to be central to that. 

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POINT OF DIFFERENCE

You really do have to factor in the early bye when looking at the Swans, but there are several players who over the course of the season would be good selections. Ruck Brodie Grundy ($677,900 RUC) was excellent last year, as was midfielder Isaac Heeney ($593,600 MID).

Could you take a flier on new recruit Charlie Curnow ($377,300 FWD). It’s an extremely risky pick, but he has been a solid SuperCoach option in the past. Perhaps he’s one to monitor for Draft formats or as a late-season head-to-head league flex play. 

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CHEAPIES

Former Hawk Jai Serong ($119,900 DEF) had a range of suitors during the trade period last year, but ultimately landed on the Swans as his preferred destination. Serong dominated for Box Hill during the VFL last year and is ready to slot straight into Sydney’s best 23 as a defender and make an immediate impact.

Elsewhere, Academy product Harry Kyle ($145,000 DEF/MID) is impressing in his first pre-season, while Billy Cootee ($113,500 MID) is a mature-aged draftee to keep an eye on.