Sydney's 2023 season has come to a conclusion, following the side's narrow six-point loss to Carlton at the MCG on Friday night.
In a year that saw a number of club favourites retire, the Bloods culture ran strong and its youth showed themselves capable of leading the club onward into the future.
Letter Grade: B
The Sporting News takes a look at Sydney's 2023 season.
Did Sydney over/under achieve in 2023?
Sydney was left picking up the pieces after an 81-point loss to Geelong in last year's grand final, causing many to doubt their 2023 credentials.
For a side that came so close one season prior, making the finals wasn't the typical goal; but for the young, wounded Swans, it was a surprising achievement.
The Bloods finished with 12 wins, ten losses, and one draw, before bowing out to a red-hot Carlton in a closely contested elimination final.
It was a middling, stabilising year that will set Sydney up for a bigger and better 2024 season.
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What worked?
The Swans mounted the pressure on their opponents once again this year, with the side ranking second for pressure acts, just behind St Kilda.
Sydney was able to claw within two goals of Carlton in an elimination final loss, off the back of its immense tackling pressure.
Led by James Rowbottom (7.3 tackles per game) coach John Longmire's side was able to restrict opposition midfielders and create turnovers.
What went wrong?
With Lance "Buddy" Franklin retiring, there were few forward options for the Swans this season.
Medium forwards Tom Papley (37) and Isaac Heeney (30) were among the most dangerous forwards, but were also valuable onballers.
Joel Amartey and Logan McDonald have shown signs of improvement but look a distance off the competition's best.
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Sydney Swans best player
At just 21 years of age, Sydney midfielder Errol Gulden is taking the AFL by storm.
His blistering season earned him an All-Australian spot on the wing, and it was no surprise the young gun was the Swans' best against Carlton.
Gulden averaged 19.3 kicks a game while slotting 22 goals as a genuine wingman. He's right alongside Nick Daicos and Zak Butters as the sport's best young players.
Who should Sydney target in the AFL trade period?
Both Tom Hickey and Paddy McCartin announced their retirements this season, leaving Sydney with holes in its ruck and key defence stocks.
Ruckman Brodie Grundy is open to a Swans move, while it will be a competitive search for a backman in this year's trade period.
MORE: AFL Trade news & rumours latest
