Mid West product Logan McDonald signs two-year deal to keep him at Sydney Swans until end-2024

One of the Mid West’s brightest footy gems is set to keep lighting up the AFL, although WA fans hoping for a return home for Logan McDonald may be disappointed as Sydney have confirmed he has signed a two-year contract extension. McDonald said he was excited with the deal to keep him at the Swans until at least the end of the 2024 season. “The Sydney Swans is the only place I ever wanted to be,” he said. “This is a great club, and I am grateful to be able to commit for another couple of years.” Coming from a country background, via Perth, McDonald said he had found it easy to fit in in Sydney. “Ever since I walked through the doors, I’ve loved every minute of it,” he said. “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.” McDonald comes from three generations of players at Coorow-Latham in the North Midlands and played league footy there as a teenager, a fact he credited as helping his development when he was picked up in the draft. He also played juniors in Carnarvon. Swans executive general manager for football Charlie Gardiner said the club had high hopes for McDonald. “We’re delighted Logan has recommitted to the club,” Gardiner said. “He is clearly an exciting talent and has shown the potential to perform at the top level, but it is his work ethic and drive to improve that has impressed us the most. He is a terrific young man with a great attitude, so we know he is going to do everything possible to get the best out of himself and his teammates.” Selected by Sydney at pick No. 4 in the 2020 draft, the 19-year-old key forward made his debut in 2021 and has kicked nine goals from eight appearances so far. Touted as the master’s apprentice to Lance “Buddy” Franklin — raised a couple of hours drive from Coorow in Dowerin — and his eventual replacement up forward for the Swans, McDonald said earlier in March he was hoping to set up Franklin for his thousandth goal. “I’ll be trying to make sure I’m the one giving it to him or pretty close in the picture so I can be on the highlight reel,” McDonald told The West Australian. “Lance has been huge for me as a person, both off-field and on,” he said. “If I ever need anything from him or help from him, he’s the first person to put his hand up. “ McDonald had five disposals and two marks and kicked a behind as Sydney beat GWS Giants 17.10 (112)-13.14 (92) on Saturday. The Swans play Geelong this Friday.