West Coast skipper happy to step out of the middle to help lure Sydney star Chad Warner

West Coast Eagles co-captain Liam Duggan says he’d gladly make way in the club’s midfield if it meant securing one of the competition’s brightest young players.

Warner brothers clash in Swans match sim

West Coast co-captain Liam Duggan would happily forgo his position in the Eagles’ midfield if it meant luring out-of-contract superstar Chad Warner.

Warner, originally from Western Australia, is being pursued by both Fremantle and West Coast as he enters the final year of his contract at Sydney.

Duggan said he would jump at the opportunity to lead Warner, even if it forced a change of position.

“Yeah, I would love to play with Chad Warner,” Duggan said.

“That’s another we’ve got to sort out, I think anyone would like Chad Warner standing alongside them.

“I would probably get kicked out of the midfield, I might have to find a new home somewhere on the ground if he came, but it would be pretty nice.”

West Coast Eagles co-captain Liam Duggan would gladly make way for Chad Warner (pictured). Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images
West Coast Eagles co-captain Liam Duggan would gladly make way for Chad Warner (pictured). Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Warner, 23, poured fuel on a potential return to WA by recently purchasing a house in his home state.

Despite being out of contract, Warner would still have to request a trade if he wanted to leave the Swans.

West Coast has a much stronger draft hand, with its own first-round pick as well as one linked to Hawthorn.

Fremantle, which is expected to contend for the premiership, has only its own first-round pick and is in deeper talks with Melbourne livewire Kysaiah Pickett.

Sydney captain Callum Mills said he was hopeful the Swans could get a deal done to hold onto the star ball winner.

“We’d love him to stay. That’s the main thing. He’s a good person, he loves the club and we love him, so hopefully we can get something done.”

Fremantle captain Alex Pearce was tight-lipped about Pickett potentially adding to the Dockers’ premiership push.

“Of course,” Pearce said with a smile, when asked if he would like to play with Pickett.

Originally published as West Coast skipper happy to step out of the middle to help lure Sydney star Chad Warner

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