Hannebery set to stay with Swans

Daniel Hannebery ... turned down approaches to return to Melbourne. Source: JOE CASTRO / AAP

Prized Sydney midfielder Daniel Hannebery has turned his back on a potential return to Melbourne by committing to the Swans.

Sydney's grand final hero is expected to sign a new three-year deal on Wednesday.

		P	W	D	L	%	Pts
1	Essendon	2	2	0	0	255.08	8
2	Port Adelaide	2	2	0	0	202.27	8
3	Sydney	2	2	0	0	147.65	8
4	Fremantle	2	2	0	0	135.44	8
5	Collingwood	2	2	0	0	117.65	8
6	Richmond	2	2	0	0	112.02	8
7	Geelong	2	2	0	0	105.67	8
8	Bulldogs	2	1	0	1	124.24	4
9	Hawthorn	2	1	0	1	122.51	4
10	Adelaide	2	1	0	1	91.75	4
11	Gold Coast	2	1	0	1	85.34	4
12	North Melbourne	2	0	0	2	90.70	0
13	Carlton	2	0	0	2	90.13	0
14	St Kilda	2	0	0	2	84.13	0
15	West Coast	2	0	0	2	69.53	0
16	Greater Western Sydney	2	0	0	2	64.17	0
17	Brisbane	2	0	0	2	60.99	0
18	Melbourne	2	0	0	2	28.39	0

Hannebery was a priority signing for the Swans. 

The midfielder won the Rising Star award in 2010 and sparkled in the Swans' premiership last year, finishing second in Norm Smith Medal voting behind teammate Ryan O'Keefe.

Hannebery was a target for Melbourne-based clubs when his contract expired at the end of the year. 

But the Swans have long viewed Hannebery as a future leader and were quick to move on a new deal this season, tying him to the club until the end of 2016.

Hannebery's manager Nick Gieschen, from Elite Sports Properties, said the 22-year-old was thrilled to stay in Sydney. 

"The club has looked after him really well since they drafted him as a bottom-aged player back in 2008. He loves the club and everything it stands for," he said.

"There's a great culture up there, he's settled and he's obviously really close with his teammates. 

"He's excited to stay at Sydney to continue to improve his football and help them push towards continued success over the next few years."

Hannebery has played 79 games for the Swans since arriving at the club with the 30th pick in the 2008 national draft. 

Now in his fifth season, the tough and hard-running playmaker collected 23 and 24 possessions in the Swans' first two games of the season.

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