Fans pay tribute to Jarrad McVeigh after Swans legend's 'emotional decision' with family

AFL fans are wishing Jarrad McVeigh all the best after the Sydney Swans announced this week he's leaving the club after 23 years. McVeigh captained the Swans from 2011 to 2016, winning the AFL premiership in 2012.

He played 325 games for his beloved club after debuting in 2004, and moved into the coaching department soon after retiring at the end of 2019. He worked as an assistant coach under John Longmire, before becoming the club's VFL head coach in 2025 when Dean Cox took over from Longmire.

But the Swans announced on Tuesday that McVeigh is departing to explore new opportunities with his family in America. “It has been an incredible journey with the Sydney Swans, and I am grateful for the opportunities and experiences I have had here,” McVeigh said in a statement released by the club.

“Football clubs are about people and relationships, and I have been so fortunate to have worked with incredible people over the journey, from my teammates to the players I now coach, our staff, our board, and our passionate supporters. I’ve grown up at this club and it has been an emotional decision to leave, but I am excited about what the next chapter holds for my family.”

Swans chairman Andrew Pridham said: “Jarrad has been an integral part of our club for more than two decades, exemplifying the courage, grit and determination our club is known for. It has been our privilege to watch him flourish as a player, a leader, and a father, and while he may be departing our club, he will always be part of our red and white family.

“On behalf of everyone at the club I would like to thank ‘Macca’ for his enormous contribution. We wish him, together with (wife) Clementine, (daughters) Lolita and Florence, all the very best for their adventure in Chicago.”

AFL fans pay tribute to Jarrad McVeigh

McVeigh's 325 games are second-most in club history, only behind former co-captain Adam Goodes and equal with Jude Bolton. He missed out on selection when the Swans won the 2005 grand final, and then played in the losing decider in 2006.

He was named club champion in 2008 and 2013, and an All-Australian in 2013. McVeigh was indicted into the Sydney Swans' Hall of Fame in 2024.

Fans have been paying tribute to McVeigh on social media and wishing him well for the future. "Loved Macca," one person wrote. "Hardest worker in any team and led from the front."

Another wrote: "Thank you for your loyalty and hard work, will always be a Swan champion." While a third commented: "An incredible person and great player!"

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Nick Davis also leaving Sydney Swans after 15 years

The news about McVeigh comes after fellow premiership hero Nick Davis revealed last month that he's also leaving the club after 15 years. Davis, who helped the Swans win the 2005 flag, has hinted at a full-time switch to work with the Sydney Roosters in the NRL.

Davis has been an assistant coach and runner at the Swans since retiring in 2008, but feels he's reached his ceiling with Cox entrenched as the men's head coach and Scott Gowans leading the women's team. The Swans hero has also been working with the Roosters as a kicking and catching coach for a number of years, and will now look to expand that role.

"Having some time off from the Swans (earlier this year) has allowed me to up my time at the Roosters and have a bit of success there in a few areas over the last month," he told SEN radio. "My biggest job today is putting up some bombs for Ted (James Tedesco). There's a few conversations going on and I'm definitely excited to expand some of the roles I've been doing at the Roosters."

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