Burgeoning WA star and Sydney midfielder Chad Warner has shown why the Eagles and Dockers are so desperate to get their hands on him, booting the opening goal of the AFL season just minutes into the Swan’s clash with Hawthorn.

The 23-year-old has been a hot topic in the lead-up to the 2025 season, with speculation he will leave the Swans at the end of the year.

However, any pressure the persistent speculation may have placed on the youngster was shrugged off almost immediately as the ball magnet made the best possible start to arguably his most important season to date.

After grabbing an early kick as the Hawks made a few early forays forward, Warner snuck into the forward line as former West Coast defender Tom Barrass was sucked up the ground on his Hawks debut.

The long ball in lacked direction, but Warner, who recently purchased a house in Perth, was on hand to clean up the crumbs and slot through the first goal of the season curtain raiser.

The major was met with roars from the fans at a pristine SCG, with one supporter displaying a sign with a desperate plea for the youngster to remain a blood beyond 2025.

“We love The Chad. Never leave us,” the sign read.

The fan’s sign even included an incentive, saying, “I’ll mow your lawn for 10 years”.

The clash was also a first for new Sydney coach and West Coast premiership hero Dean Cox after taking over from John Longmire.

Cox revealed ahead of the game he was feeling nervous but ready to “hand” the game over to the players.

Both teams were on fire in the opening term with nine goals kicked across each team.

The fast pace slowed slightly to start the second term before the Hawks kicked away to a 14-point gap off the back of physicality in the contest, despite Sam Wicks shutting Nick Watson out of the contest.

The lead ballooned to 20 at the main break as Sydney succumbed to errors in the back half.