# 2016 Sydney Swans season

The 2016 AFL season was the 120th season in the Australian Football League contested by the Sydney Swans.

## Club summary

After having split its home games between the Sydney Cricket Ground and ANZ Stadium since 2002, Sydney returned to playing all games at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The club and the stadium had originally planned to end their agreement at the end of the 2016 season, but the two parties agreed on February 29 to end the agreement one year early. The three 2016 matches which were scheduled for ANZ Stadium (Round 1 vs Collingwood, Round 7 vs Essendon and Round 18 vs Carlton) were shifted to the Sydney Cricket Ground as a result. Under the club's new stadium arrangement, it has committed to playing all home games at the Sydney Cricket Ground in a thirty-year deal, set to end in 2046.
On 12 April 2016, the Swans broke the 50,000 members milestone for the first time, breaking the club's record of 48,836 members set in 2015.

## Squad for 2016

Statistics are correct as of end of 2015 season. Flags represent the state of origin, i.e. the state in which the player played his Under-18s football.
Senior List :
| No. | State | Player | Hgt (cm) | Wgt (kg) | Date of Birth | Age (end 2015) | AFL Debut | Recruited from | Games (end 2015) | Goals (end 2015) |
| 1 | | James Rose | 185 | 79 | 16 April 1996 | 19 | 2015 | Sturt | 2 | 3 |
| 2 | | Alex Johnson | 194 | 92 | 2 March 1992 | 23 | 2011 | Oakleigh (U18) | 45 | 1 |
| 3 | | Jarrad McVeigh (c) | 184 | 74 | 7 April 1985 | 30 | 2004 | NSW/ACT (U18) | 266 | 184 |
| 4 | | Dan Hannebery (lg) | 181 | 79 | 24 February 1991 | 24 | 2009 | Oakleigh (U18) | 144 | 69 |
| 5 | | Isaac Heeney | 184 | 80 | 5 May 1996 | 19 | 2015 | Cardiff, Sydney Swans Academy | 14 | 16 |
| 6 | | Tom Mitchell | 181 | 83 | 31 May 1993 | 22 | 2013 | Claremont | 39 | 23 |
| 7 | | Harry Cunningham | 181 | 76 | 6 December 1993 | 22 | 2012 | NSW/ACT (U18) | 52 | 31 |
| 8 | | Kurt Tippett | 202 | 108 | 8 May 1987 | 28 | 2008 | Southport, Adelaide | 152 | 301 |
| 9 | | Abaina Davis | 192 | 97 | 27 January 1996 | 19 | | UNSW-Eastern Suburbs, Sydney Swans Academy | | |
| 10 | | Zak Jones | 181 | 79 | 15 March 1995 | 20 | 2014 | Dandenong (U18) | 15 | 1 |
| 11 | | Jeremy Laidler | 190 | 89 | 5 August 1989 | 26 | 2009 | Calder (U18), Geelong, Carlton | 68 | 7 |
| 12 | | Josh Kennedy (lg) | 188 | 93 | 20 June 1988 | 27 | 2008 | Sandringham (U18), Hawthorn | 158 | 95 |
| 13 | | Toby Nankervis | 199 | 106 | 12 August 1994 | 21 | 2015 | North Launceston | 5 | 1 |
| 14 | | Callum Mills | 186 | 80 | 2 April 1997 | 18 | | North Shore, Sydney Swans Academy | | |
| 15 | | Kieren Jack (c) | 178 | 75 | 28 June 1987 | 28 | 2007 | NSW/ACT (U18) | 185 | 131 |
| 16 | | Gary Rohan | 188 | 90 | 7 June 1991 | 24 | 2010 | Geelong (U18) | 61 | 42 |
| 17 | | Jack Hiscox | 184 | 74 | 23 March 1995 | 20 | | Sydney Uni, Sydney Swans Academy | | |
| 18 | | Callum Sinclair | 200 | 99 | 23 September 1989 | 26 | 2013 | Subiaco, West Coast | 29 | 18 |
| 19 | | Tom Derickx | 200 | 102 | 7 December 1987 | 28 | 2012 | Claremont, Richmond | 15 | 6 |
| 20 | | Sam Reid | 196 | 98 | 27 December 1991 | 24 | 2010 | Murray (U18) | 98 | 94 |
| 21 | | Ben McGlynn | 172 | 76 | 6 August 1985 | 30 | 2006 | Bendigo (U18), Hawthorn | 153 | 171 |
| 22 | | Dean Towers | 189 | 86 | 4 May 1990 | 25 | 2014 | North Ballarat | 17 | 8 |
| 23 | | Lance Franklin | 197 | 107 | 30 January 1987 | 29 | 2005 | Perth, Hawthorn | 221 | 706 |
| 24 | | Dane Rampe (lg) | 188 | 87 | 2 June 1990 | 25 | 2013 | UNSW-Eastern | 72 | 5 |
| 25 | | Ted Richards | 193 | 92 | 11 January 1983 | 32 | 2002 | Sandringham (U18), Essendon | 253 | 32 |
| 26 | | Luke Parker (lg) | 183 | 85 | 25 October 1992 | 23 | 2011 | Dandenong (U18) | 101 | 78 |
| 27 | | Daniel Robinson | 185 | 82 | 3 July 1994 | 21 | 2015 | Mosman Football Club | 4 | 2 |
| 29 | | George Hewett | 185 | 83 | 29 December 1995 | 20 | | North Adelaide | | |
| 30 | | Tyrone Leonardis | 182 | 78 | 22 February 1997 | 18 | | Northern (U18) | | |
| 32 | | Michael Talia | 194 | 94 | 11 February 1993 | 22 | 2012 | Calder (U18), Western Bulldogs | 30 | 3 |
| 33 | | Brandon Jack | 182 | 77 | 25 May 1994 | 21 | 2013 | Pennant Hills | 27 | 16 |
| 34 | | Jordan Dawson | 190 | 84 | 9 April 1997 | 18 | | Sturt | | |
| 35 | | Sam Naismith | 206 | 108 | 16 July 1992 | 23 | 2014 | North Shore | 1 | 0 |
| 36 | | Aliir Aliir | 193 | 94 | 5 September 1994 | 21 | | East Fremantle | | |
| 39 | | Heath Grundy (lg) | 192 | 106 | 2 June 1986 | 29 | 2006 | Norwood | 187 | 23 |
| 40 | | Nick Smith (lg) | 183 | 79 | 12 June 1988 | 27 | 2008 | Oakleigh (U18) | 142 | 9 |
| 42 | | Xavier Richards | 195 | 91 | 25 April 1993 | 22 | 2013 | Sandringham (U18) | 2 | 0 |
| 44 | | Jake Lloyd | 180 | 76 | 20 September 1993 | 22 | 2014 | North Ballarat (U18) | 43 | 11 |
| Rookie List |||||||||||
| No. | State | Player | Hgt | Wgt | Date of Birth | Age | Debut | Recruited from | Games | Goals |
| 28 | | Nic Newman | 188 | 81 | 15 January 1993 | 22 | | Frankston | | |
| 31 | | Harry Marsh | 189 | 82 | 13 January 1994 | 21 | | East Fremantle | | |
| 38 | | Colin O'Riordan | 188 | 87 | 12 October 1995 | 20 | | Tipperary GAA | | |
| 41 | | Tom Papley | 176 | 71 | 13 July 1996 | 19 | | Gippsland (U18) | | |
| 43 | | Lewis Melican | 194 | 80 | 4 November 1996 | 19 | | Geelong U18 | | |
| 45 | | Jordan Foote | 183 | 76 | 2 January 1996 | 19 | | UNSW-Eastern Suburbs, Sydney Swans Academy | | |
| 46 | | Sam Murray | 188 | 72 | 2 September 1997 | 18 | | Wodonga | | |
| 47 | | Kyle Galloway | 206 | 104 | 21 November 1996 | 19 | | Shepparton | | |
| Senior coaching panel |||||||||||
| | State | Coach | Coaching position | Coaching position | Coaching position | Coaching position | Sydney Coaching debut | Former clubs as coach | Former clubs as coach | Former clubs as coach |
| | | John Longmire | Senior coach | Senior coach | Senior coach | Senior coach | 2002 | | | |
| | | Stuart Dew | Senior Assistant Coach (midfield) | Senior Assistant Coach (midfield) | Senior Assistant Coach (midfield) | Senior Assistant Coach (midfield) | 2009 | | | |
| | | Josh Francou | Assistant coach (Stoppages) | Assistant coach (Stoppages) | Assistant coach (Stoppages) | Assistant coach (Stoppages) | 2015 | | | |
| | | Brett Kirk | Assistant coach (Forwards) | Assistant coach (Forwards) | Assistant coach (Forwards) | Assistant coach (Forwards) | 2016 | Fremantle (a) | Fremantle (a) | Fremantle (a) |
| | | Henry Playfair | Assistant coach (defence) | Assistant coach (defence) | Assistant coach (defence) | Assistant coach (defence) | 2010 | Sydney Swans (NEAFL) (s) | Sydney Swans (NEAFL) (s) | Sydney Swans (NEAFL) (s) |
| | | John Blakey | Coaching Director/Head of Development | Coaching Director/Head of Development | Coaching Director/Head of Development | Coaching Director/Head of Development | 2006 | Brisbane Lions (a) | Brisbane Lions (a) | Brisbane Lions (a) |
| | | Nick Davis | Development coach | Development coach | Development coach | Development coach | 2016 | | | |
| | | Rhyce Shaw | Reserves Coach | Reserves Coach | Reserves Coach | Reserves Coach | 2016 | | | |
| | | Jared Crouch | Academy coaching Director | Academy coaching Director | Academy coaching Director | Academy coaching Director | 2011 | | | |
* For players: (c) denotes captain, (vc) denotes vice-captain, (lg) denotes leadership group.
* For coaches: (s) denotes senior coach, (cs) denotes caretaker senior coach, (a) denotes assistant coach, (d) denotes development coach.

## Playing list changes

The following summarises all player changes between the conclusion of the 2015 season and the beginning of the 2016 season.

### In

| Player | Previous Club | League | via |
| Callum Sinclair | West Coast | AFL | Trade |
| Michael Talia | Western Bulldogs | AFL | Trade |
| Callum Mills | North Shore | Sydney AFL | Pick 3, 2015 National Draft (Academy selection) |
| Tyrone Leonardis | Northern (U18) | TAC Cup | Pick 51, 2015 National Draft |
| Jordan Dawson | Sturt | SANFL | Pick 56, 2015 National Draft |
| Tom Papley | Gippsland (U18) | TAC Cup | Pick 14, 2016 Rookie Draft |
| Kyle Galloway | Shepparton | GVFL | Pick 59, 2016 Rookie Draft |
| Sam Murray | Wodonga | O&MFL | Pick 66, 2016 Rookie Draft |
| Colin O'Riordan | Tipperary | GAA | Pick 69, 2016 Rookie Draft (International Rookie) |

### Out

| Player | New Club | League | via |
| Adam Goodes | | | Retired |
| Rhyce Shaw | | | Retired |
| Mike Pyke | | | Retired |
| Lewis Jetta | West Coast | AFL | Trade |
| Craig Bird | Essendon | AFL | Trade |
| Lloyd Perris | | | Delisted |
| Sean McLaren | | | Delisted |

### List management

| Player | Change |
| Sam Naismith | Promoted from the rookie list to the senior list |
| Harry Marsh | Demoted from the senior list to the rookie list during 2016 Rookie Draft (pick 32) |

## Season summary
### Pre-season matches

| Rd | Date and local time | Opponent | Scores (Sydney's scores indicated in bold) | Scores (Sydney's scores indicated in bold) | Scores (Sydney's scores indicated in bold) | Venue | Attendance |
| Rd | Date and local time | Opponent | Home | Away | Result | Venue | Attendance |
| 1 | Saturday, 20 February (4:40 pm) | Port Adelaide | 1.10.12 (81) | 1.7.9 (60) | Won by 21 points | Blacktown International Sportspark (H) | 3,172 |
| 2 | Friday, 4 March (7:10 pm) | Greater Western Sydney | 1.8.3 (60) | 0.14.10 (94) | Lost by 34 points | Drummoyne Oval (H) | 4,754 |
| 3 | Friday, 11 March (5:50 pm) | Carlton | 1.8.12 (69) | 0.14.7 (91) | Won by 22 points | Etihad Stadium (A) | 6,804 |

### Home and away season

| Rd | Date and local time | Opponent | Scores (Sydney's scores indicated in bold) | Scores (Sydney's scores indicated in bold) | Scores (Sydney's scores indicated in bold) | Venue | Attendance | Ladder position | Record | Ref. |
| Rd | Date and local time | Opponent | Home | Away | Result | Venue | Attendance | Ladder position | Record | Ref. |
| 1 | Saturday, 26 March (7:25 pm) | Collingwood | 18.25 (133) | 7.11 (53) | Won by 80 points | Sydney Cricket Ground (H) | 33,857 | 2nd | 1-0 | |
| 2 | Sunday, 3 April (4:40 pm) | Carlton | 10.11 (71) | 20.11 (131) | Won by 60 points | Etihad Stadium (A) | 33,146 | 2nd | 2-0 | |
| 3 | Saturday, 9 April (4:35 pm) | Greater Western Sydney | 14.9 (93) | 10.8 (68) | Won by 25 points | Sydney Cricket Ground (H) | 37,045 | 1st | 3-0 | |
| 4 | Saturday, 16 April (7:10 pm) | Adelaide | 16.17 (113) | 15.13 (103) | Lost by 10 points | Adelaide Oval (A) | 51,330 | 3rd | 3-1 | |
| 5 | Saturday, 23 April (1:40 pm) | West Coast | 12.16 (88) | 7.7 (49) | Won by 39 points | Sydney Cricket Ground (H) | 35,427 | 3rd | 4-1 | |
| 6 | Sunday, 1 May (1:10 pm) | Brisbane Lions | 14.10 (94) | 15.7 (97) | Won by 3 points | The Gabba (A) | 14,646 | 3rd | 5-1 | |
| 7 | Saturday, 7 May (4:35 pm) | Essendon | 20.15 (135) | 7.12 (54) | Won by 81 points | Sydney Cricket Ground (H) | 29,527 | 3rd | 6-1 | |
| 8 | Saturday, 14 May (7:25 pm) | Richmond | 14.17 (101) | 15.10 (100) | Lost by 1 point | Melbourne Cricket Ground (A) | 36,014 | 4th | 6-2 | |
| 9 | Friday, 20 May (7:50 pm) | Hawthorn | 7.13 (55) | 10.9 (69) | Won by 14 points | Melbourne Cricket Ground (A) | 61,552 | 4th | 7-2 | |
| 10 | Friday, 27 May (7:50 pm) | North Melbourne | 14.7 (91) | 9.11 (65) | Won by 26 points | Sydney Cricket Ground (H) | 38,498 | 2nd | 8-2 | |
| 11 | Saturday, 4 June (7:25 pm) | Gold Coast | 6.5 (41) | 11.13 (79) | Won by 38 points | Metricon Stadium (A) | 4,368 | 2nd | 9-2 | |
| 12 | Sunday, 12 June (4:40 pm) | Greater Western Sydney | 15.15 (105) | 9.9 (63) | Lost by 42 points | Spotless Stadium (A) | 21,541 | 3rd | 9-3 | |
| 13 | Sunday, 19 June (1:10 pm) | Melbourne | 12.14 (86) | 4.7 (31) | Won by 55 points | Sydney Cricket Ground (H) | 19,086 | 2nd | 10-3 | |
| 14 | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | 2nd | 10-3 | |
| 15 | Saturday, 2 July (4:35 pm) | Western Bulldogs | 11.13 (79) | 13.5 (83) | Lost by 4 points | Sydney Cricket Ground (H) | 33,386 | 4th | 10-4 | |
| 16 | Friday, 8 July (7:50 pm) | Geelong | 9.6 (60) | 15.8 (98) | Won by 38 points | Simonds Stadium (A) | 24,339 | 2nd | 11-4 | |
| 17 | Thursday, 14 July (7:20 pm) | Hawthorn | 10.10 (70) | 11.9 (75) | Lost by 5 points | Sydney Cricket Ground (H) | 42,314 | 5th | 11-5 | |
| 18 | Saturday, 23 July (1:45 pm) | Carlton | 10.14 (74) | 10.8 (68) | Won by 6 points | Sydney Cricket Ground (H) | 31,765 | 3rd | 12-5 | |
| 19 | Sunday, 31 July (1:20 pm) | Fremantle | 7.5 (47) | 21.11 (137) | Won by 90 points | Domain Stadium (A) | 32,401 | 3rd | 13-5 | |
| 20 | Saturday, 6 August (1:45 pm) | Port Adelaide | 14.16 (100) | 4.9 (33) | Won by 67 points | Sydney Cricket Ground (H) | 30,204 | 2nd | 14-5 | |
| 21 | Saturday, 13 August (7:25 pm) | St Kilda | 11.10 (76) | 23.8 (146) | Won by 70 points | Etihad Stadium (A) | 33,059 | 2nd | 15-5 | |
| 22 | Saturday, 20 August (1:45 pm) | North Melbourne | 10.16 (76) | 12.13 (85) | Won by 9 points | Blundstone Arena (A) | 16,495 | 1st | 16-5 | |
| 23 | Saturday, 27 August (4:35 pm) | Richmond | 25.14 (164) | 7.9 (51) | Won by 113 points | Sydney Cricket Ground (H) | 36,570 | 1st | 17-5 | |
| Source Archived 17 December 2016 at the Wayback Machine |||||||||||

### Finals matches

| Round | Date and local time | Opponent | Scores (Sydney's scores indicated in bold) | Scores (Sydney's scores indicated in bold) | Scores (Sydney's scores indicated in bold) | Venue | Attendance | Ref |
| Round | Date and local time | Opponent | Home | Away | Result | Venue | Attendance | Ref |
| QF | Saturday, 10 September (3:20 pm) | Greater Western Sydney | 7.13 (55) | 12.19 (91) | Lost by 36 points | Stadium Australia (H) | 60,222 | |
| SF | Saturday, 17 September (7:25 pm) | Adelaide | 18.10 (118) | 12.10 (82) | Won by 36 points | Sydney Cricket Ground (H) | 38,136 | |
| PF | Friday, 23 September (7:50 pm) | Geelong | 8.12 (60) | 15.7 (97) | Won by 37 points | Melbourne Cricket Ground (A) | 71,772 | |
| GF | Saturday, 1 October (2:30 pm) | Western Bulldogs | 10.7 (67) | 13.11 (89) | Lost by 22 points | Melbourne Cricket Ground (H) | 99,981 | |

## Ladder

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | L | D | PF | PA | PP | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | Sydney | 22 | 17 | 5 | 0 | 2221 | 1469 | 151.2 | 68 | 2016 finals |
| 2 | Geelong | 22 | 17 | 5 | 0 | 2235 | 1554 | 143.8 | 68 | 2016 finals |
| 3 | Hawthorn | 22 | 17 | 5 | 0 | 2134 | 1800 | 118.6 | 68 | 2016 finals |
| 4 | Greater Western Sydney | 22 | 16 | 6 | 0 | 2380 | 1663 | 143.1 | 64 | 2016 finals |
| 5 | Adelaide | 22 | 16 | 6 | 0 | 2483 | 1795 | 138.3 | 64 | 2016 finals |
| 6 | West Coast | 22 | 16 | 6 | 0 | 2181 | 1678 | 130.0 | 64 | 2016 finals |
| 7 | Western Bulldogs (P) | 22 | 15 | 7 | 0 | 1857 | 1609 | 115.4 | 60 | 2016 finals |
| 8 | North Melbourne | 22 | 12 | 10 | 0 | 1956 | 1859 | 105.2 | 48 | 2016 finals |
| 9 | St Kilda | 22 | 12 | 10 | 0 | 1953 | 2041 | 95.7 | 48 | |
| 10 | Port Adelaide | 22 | 10 | 12 | 0 | 2055 | 1939 | 106.0 | 40 | |
| 11 | Melbourne | 22 | 10 | 12 | 0 | 1944 | 1991 | 97.6 | 40 | |
| 12 | Collingwood | 22 | 9 | 13 | 0 | 1910 | 1998 | 95.6 | 36 | |
| 13 | Richmond | 22 | 8 | 14 | 0 | 1713 | 2155 | 79.5 | 32 | |
| 14 | Carlton | 22 | 7 | 15 | 0 | 1568 | 1978 | 79.3 | 28 | |
| 15 | Gold Coast | 22 | 6 | 16 | 0 | 1778 | 2273 | 78.2 | 24 | |
| 16 | Fremantle | 22 | 4 | 18 | 0 | 1574 | 2119 | 74.3 | 16 | |
| 17 | Brisbane Lions | 22 | 3 | 19 | 0 | 1770 | 2872 | 61.6 | 12 | |
| 18 | Essendon | 22 | 3 | 19 | 0 | 1437 | 2356 | 61.0 | 12 | |

## Individual awards and records
### Bob Skilton Medal

Bob Skilton Medal :
| Rank | Player | Votes |
| 1 | Josh Kennedy | 922 |
| 2 | Dan Hannebery | 913 |
| 3 | Heath Grundy | 865 |
| 4 | Luke Parker | 834 |
| 5 | Dane Rampe | 833 |
| 6 | Lance Franklin | 827 |
| 7 | Jake Lloyd | 684 |
| 8 | Tom Mitchell | 672 |
| 9 | Nick Smith | 622 |
| 10 | Kieren Jack | 601 |
Rising Star Award: Callum Mills
Dennis Carroll Trophy for Most Improved Player: Aliir Aliir
Barry Round Shield for Best Clubman: Alex Johnson
Paul Kelly Players’ Player: Lance Franklin
Paul Roos Award for Best Player in a Finals Series: Heath Grundy & Josh Kennedy

### All-Australian Team

AFL Rising Star :
| No. | Player | Status | Position |
| 4 | Dan Hannebery | In Team | Wing |
| 12 | Josh Kennedy | In Team | Centre |
| 23 | Lance Franklin | In Team | Centre-half forward |
| 24 | Dane Rampe | In Team | Back pocket |
| 26 | Luke Parker | In Team | Interchange bench |

### Milestones

Milestones :
| No. | Player | Milestone | Round |
| 8 | Kurt Tippett | 50th club game | Round 2 |
| 12 | Josh Kennedy | 150th club game | Round 5 |
| 4 | Dan Hannebery | 150th career game | Round 6 |
| 11 | Jeremy Laidler | 50th club game | Round 8 |
| 40 | Nick Smith | 150th career game | Round 9 |
| 6 | Tom Mitchell | 50th career game | Round 11 |
| 39 | Heath Grundy | 200th career game | Round 13 |
| 23 | Lance Franklin | 750th career goal | Round 13 |
| 15 | Kieren Jack | 200th career game | Round 16 |
| 23 | Lance Franklin | 200th club goal | Round 23 |
| | John Longmire | 100th career coaching win | Round 23 |

### Debuts

Debuts :
| No. | Player | Round |
| 14 | Callum Mills | Round 1 |
| 18 | Callum Sinclair | Round 1$^1$ |
| 29 | George Hewett | Round 1 |
| 32 | Michael Talia | Round 1$^1$ |
| 41 | Tom Papley | Round 1 |
| 36 | Aliir Aliir | Round 6 |
| 17 | Jack Hiscox | Round 8 |
| 31 | Harry Marsh | Round 10 |
| 45 | Jordan Foote | Round 18 |
$^1$Had previously played for another club but played their first match for the Sydney Swans.

### AFL Rising Star

AFL Rising Star :
| No. | State | Player | Status | Round |
| 41 | | Tom Papley | Nominated | Round 5 |
| 14 | | Callum Mills | Winner | Round 16 |

## Reserves
### Regular season

| Rd | Date and local time | Opponent | Scores (Sydney's scores indicated in bold) | Scores (Sydney's scores indicated in bold) | Scores (Sydney's scores indicated in bold) | Venue | Ladder position |
| Rd | Date and local time | Opponent | Home | Away | Result | Venue | Ladder position |
| 1 | Saturday, 2 April (11:00 am) | Brisbane Lions | 5.10 (40) | 25.12 (162) | Won by 122 points | Burpengary Sports Complex (A) | 1st |
| 2 | Saturday, 9 April (10:30 am) | UWS Giants | 17.13 (115) | 14.13 (97) | Won by 18 points | Blacktown International Sportspark (H) | 1st |
| 3 | Saturday, 16 April (1:00 pm) | Redland | 7.10 (52) | 23.11 (149) | Won by 97 points | Leyshon Park (A) | 1st |
| 4 | Saturday, 23 April (9:30 am) | Southport | 12.13 (85) | 6.9 (45) | Won by 40 points | Drummoyne Oval (H) | 1st |
| 5 | Sunday, 1 May (9:30 am) | Brisbane Lions | 3.7 (25) | 20.15 (135) | Won by 110 points | Coorparoo (A) | 1st |
| 6 | Saturday, 7 May (12:00 pm) | Gold Coast | 18.12 (120) | 8.7 (55) | Won by 65 points | Drummoyne Oval (H) | 1st |
| 7 | Saturday, 14 May (12:00 pm) | Canberra | 4.4 (28) | 26.14 (170) | Won by 142 points | Manuka Oval (A) | 1st |
| 8 | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | 1st |
| 9 | Friday, 27 May (4:10 pm) | Sydney University | 6.8 (44) | 15.13 (103) | Won by 59 points | Sydney Cricket Ground (A) | 1st |
| 10 | Saturday, 4 June (12:00 pm) | Gold Coast | 3.3 (21) | 15.17 (107) | Won by 86 points | Metricon Stadium (A) | 1st |
| 11 | Sunday, 12 June (1:00 pm) | UWS Giants | 16.13 (109) | 16.12 (108) | Lost by 1 point | Spotless Stadium (A) | 1st |
| 12 | Sunday, 19 June (9:30 am) | Aspley | 16.14 (110) | 7.5 (47) | Won by 63 points | Sydney Cricket Ground (H) | 1st |
| 13 | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | 1st |
| 14 | Saturday, 2 July (12:55 pm) | NT Thunder | 19.13 (127) | 9.7 (61) | Won by 66 points | Sydney Cricket Ground (H) | 1st |
| 15 | Saturday, 9 July (12:00 pm) | Canberra | 6.7 (43) | 20.20 (140) | Won by 97 points | Manuka Oval (A) | 1st |
| 16 | Saturday, 16 July (12:00 pm) | Gold Coast | 26.14 (170) | 7.4 (46) | Won by 124 points | Newcastle Oval (H) | 1st |
| 17 | Saturday, 23 July (10:05 am) | UWS Giants | 4.19 (43) | 10.8 (68) | Lost by 25 points | Sydney Cricket Ground (H) | 1st |
| 18 | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | 1st |
| 19 | Saturday, 6 August (10:05 am) | Brisbane Lions | 24.16 (160) | 3.7 (25) | Won by 135 points | Sydney Cricket Ground (H) | 1st |
| 20 | Saturday, 13 August (6:30 pm) | NT Thunder | 14.8 (92) | 8.6 (54) | Lost by 38 points | Marrara Oval (A) | 1st |
| 21 | Saturday, 20 August (2:00 pm) | Sydney University | 5.13 (43) | 10.8 (68) | Won by 25 points | Blacktown International Sportspark (A) | 1st |

### Finals series

| Rd | Date and local time | Opponent | Scores (Sydney's scores indicated in bold) | Scores (Sydney's scores indicated in bold) | Scores (Sydney's scores indicated in bold) | Venue |
| Rd | Date and local time | Opponent | Home | Away | Result | Venue |
| EF | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye |
| SF | Saturday, 3 September (11:25 am) | Aspley | 15.23 (113) | 4.7 (31) | Won by 82 points | Blacktown International Sportspark (H) |
| GF | Sunday, 11 September (1:30 pm) | UWS Giants | 11.12 (78) | 11.16 (82) | Lost by 4 points | Blacktown International Sportspark (H) |

### Ladder

2016 Ladder :
| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | L | D | PF | PA | PP | Pts |
| 1 | Sydney Swans | 18 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 2126 | 941 | 225.9 | 60 |
| 2 | WSU Giants (P) | 18 | 12 | 6 | 0 | 1911 | 1319 | 144.9 | 48 |
| 3 | Sydney University | 18 | 12 | 6 | 0 | 1471 | 1368 | 107.5 | 48 |
| 4 | Aspley | 18 | 12 | 6 | 0 | 1527 | 1432 | 106.6 | 48 |
| 5 | NT Thunder | 18 | 11 | 7 | 0 | 1619 | 1388 | 116.6 | 44 |
| 6 | Gold Coast | 18 | 8 | 10 | 0 | 1460 | 1832 | 79.7 | 32 |
| 7 | Southport | 18 | 7 | 11 | 0 | 1522 | 1473 | 103.3 | 28 |
| 8 | Redland | 18 | 7 | 11 | 0 | 1269 | 1572 | 80.7 | 28 |
| 9 | Canberra | 18 | 3 | 15 | 0 | 1196 | 1883 | 63.5 | 12 |
| 10 | Brisbane Lions | 18 | 3 | 15 | 0 | 1061 | 1954 | 54.3 | 12 |