Former captain Jarrad McVeigh has extended his career with the Swans into a 16th year by signing a 1-year contract extension.
Speculation was rife through July and August as to his future, with many media commentators and journalists claiming that he was as good as gone, while we here at the blog commented that his future was uncertain.
Fortunately, the 32-year-old has put pen to paper to extend his time with the Swans and put all the naysayers and rumour mongers to shame.
Playing his 299th game in this Saturday afternoon's elimination final against Essendon, his return to form has been a welcome addition to his team, not the least his poise, composure, decision making and skills out of defence.
Averaging just under 20 disposals a game in 2017, the dual club Champion, All-Australian, premiership winning captain has continued to add leadership to the young Swans defence when they needed it most.
Sydney's head of football Tom Harley said that signing on is a great outcome.
“Jarrad’s on-field contribution to the team during the second half of the season has been significant whilst maintaining his leadership excellence as a key member of our leadership group.
“The Club and Jarrad have been in constant dialogue during the season about his future both in a playing sense and also post-football.
“To that point, we are also delighted that Jarrad has committed to transitioning into a coaching role at Sydney post his playing career.
“Jarrad is a premiership captain, dual Club Champion and a great custodian of the Swans and we are rapt to have secured him as part of our future.”
McVeigh says that he's excited to play out his career in the red and white.
“I’m proud to say that I’ve signed on and I’ll be able to run out with the boys for another year,” McVeigh said.
“It’s exciting to have another year as a Sydney Swans player ahead of me, but also to be able to continue working with the younger players coming through.
“We’ve got some really exciting young talent and they’re only going to get better – I’m rapt to have the opportunity to continue helping them along the way.”
Best of all, when his playing career is finished he will transition into a coaching role, with a decision on his playing future post-2018 to be made at the end of next season.
McVeigh joins Isaac Heeney, Callum Mills, Sam Reid, Will Hayward, Zak Jones, Oliver Florent, Jordan Dawson, Lewis Melican and Darcy Cameron in recommitting to Sydney in 2017.
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