‘New Buddy’ Logan McDonald turns his back on Perth clubs and signs new deal with Swans 

The Sydney Swans have fended off a reported 10-year offer from a rival club to lock down Logan McDonald, the young star dubbed as the next Lance Franklin.

McDonald, who hails from Western Australia, has signed a two-year extension with the Swans despite heavy interest from both the West Coast Eagles and Fremantle Dockers.

 It was originally reported that the Swans were trying to get McDonald to sign a four-year deal, however this two-year deal will keep the WA clubs at arm’s length – for now. 

He was tipped to be the No.1 pick in the 2020 AFL draft but eventually drifted to the Swans at 4, at least partly due to fears he would only serve with his draft club for the short term before returning home to Perth. 

Although McDonald moved across the country at a young age, he says the Swans’ culture made the transition easier.

His idol and teammate Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin is playing what is widely expected to be the last season of his stunning career, with his nine-year contract with the Swans to come to an end.

He is on course to kick his 1000th AFL goal in the coming weeks – he needs only four more goals to become the sixth man in history to reach the milestone.

McDonald is earmarked as the successor to Franklin as Sydney’s main forward target.

Although McDonald moved across the country at a young age, he says the Swans’ culture made the transition easier and he has no plans on leaving. 

‘The Sydney Swans is the only place I ever wanted to be. This is a great club, and I am grateful to be able to commit for another couple of years,’ McDonald said.

‘Ever since I walked through the doors; I’ve loved every minute of it.

‘The team is such a close-knit group here. I’ve come from Perth not really knowing anyone in Sydney, but I’ve built a close bond with a lot of the younger boys and I’ve loved every minute of it

‘It’s great to come into this club every day, in this beautiful city … I think we’re building something really special here.’

Swans coach John Longmire is pleased that McDonald has committed to the club for another two years so he can develop and become a key forward.

The Swans shocked many by making the finals in 2021 when they were expected to struggle through a transitionary period of blooding youngsters, and the new season had also started impressively with a come-from-behind win over city rival GWS.

Coach John Longmire said McDonald was one of the key players for the next generation of Sydney stars to take the club forward.

‘It’s terrific to have Logan commit to the club for another couple of years. He’s a quality young bloke,’ Longmire said.

‘He’s just got an absolute desire to work as hard as he can on his game and be the best player he can be, and we know that that takes time as a younger key forward.

‘It takes a bit of time to develop and to grow into your body, so we’ve just got to be patient with him, but we’re really confident that he’s going to be a very good player for this footy club.

‘The most important thing is that he’s a really hard worker, which is a great trait to have.’

McDonald celebrates with Franklin after kicking a goal during the round 12 AFL match between the St Kilda Saints and the Sydney Swans at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 2021.

When McDonald was drafted, he was shocked to quickly find a text message in his phone from Franklin.

‘Yeah Buddy flicked me a message straight away, that was pretty crazy,’ McDonald said.

‘I was a bit taken aback by it…. Buddy had just sent me a text.

 ‘He wished me the best and told me to enjoy the night and that he can’t wait to share the forward line with me next year, so that was pretty cool.’