"I'm excited about what the future holds" - In-form defender locks in future with Sydney Swans, triggers contract extension clause

Sydney Swans defender Lewis Melican will remain with the team at least until the end of the 2025 season after triggering a clause in his contract that automatically keeps him at the club beyond this campaign.

Although the past four years of his career have been riddled with injuries, costing him 23 games, Melican looks to be making up for lost time. Since debuting in 2017, he has gone on to play 69 games, nine of which were in the 2024 season, solidifying his position in the backline.

The 27-year-old has played a key role in locking down a number of the best forwards in the competition, including Carlton’s Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow.

Melican is grateful for where he is and is excited about the time he has left with the Swans.

"It's a great feeling knowing I'll be at the Swans for another season, we're in a great spot as a squad at the moment," Melican told reporters. "I worked extremely hard in the off-season to get my body right and I feel as though I'm being rewarded. I'm excited about what the future holds at the Swans and can't wait to get stuck in for the rest of the season."

After a remarkable win against Hawthorn in April, Sydney Swans coach John Longmire spoke on how proud he is of Melican’s perseverance.

"He's just had a terrible run with injuries, and generally when he's gotten through those stages, we've played him when we can because we know he can really help, particularly when his anticipation is like it was today," Longmire said about the defender.

"He's had some tough times, but his attention to detail, getting his body right is at a high level every week and we need to keep that a real main focus for him."

Working alongside Dane Rampe, Tom McCartin and Nick Blakey, Melican has kept the Sydney Swans on top, lifting his output in AFL 2024, which makes a great case, if nothing else, for why he should remain in the club.

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Sydney Swans defender Lewis Melican anticipates a good game against Carlton in Round 10

AFL Opening Round - Sydney Swans v Melbourne

The Sydney Swans took their round-nine game against Freemantle fluidly on May 10. Lewis Melican told post-match reporters that he was impressed by the team’s ability to keep the pressure high throughout the game, emphasising the importance of pressure in overall game strategy. He attributed his individual outstanding performance to this.

"Our pressures are our number one thing really. If we get that up, it just helps our system defensively, offensively and everything, so to be able to keep our pressure up that high the whole game makes our game," Melican said.

"It’s one of those things when the pressure’s on around the ball, it just makes it so much easier (for him to play his part). The other back six, we just play that system really well. So that pressure makes it so easy to do what we need to do."

Looking forward to round 10, Melican believes the game against Carlton would be a good one, considering the Swans would be rested enough to handle their worthy opponents.

“We’ve got seven days, enough time to recover, so it will be a big game, as always. They’re a good side, so I can't wait for it,” Melican said.