Sam Gray was one of four Sydney players delisted in September after playing just seven games in two seasons.
Gray, who joined the Swans as a delisted free agent from Port Adelaide at the end of 2019, rued the unforeseen COVID-19 pandemic that has wreaked havoc on the AFL and VFL over the last two years.
The AFL pulled the plug on the remainder of the VFL season in September after Melbourne’s sixth lockdown was extended.
“It (time at the Swans) obviously didn’t turn out the way I would’ve wanted it to,” Gray told AFL Trade Radio’s The Early Trade.
“I didn’t know that COVID was going to hit and that really played a part in not being able to play games in the VFL, so it was harder to get games in the AFL.
“It didn’t work out, but there’s not much I can do about it now.”
The 28-year-old didn’t make a single senior appearance in 2021 as two Swans young guns burst onto the scene.
“It was probably at the start (of the season) when the two younger players came in, Errol Gulden and Braeden Campbell were playing good footy so it was understandable,” Gray said.
“Then I tried to play in the midfield in the VFL and the Swans were playing pretty well at the time, so it was hard to get a gig.
“Then I went back forward and tried to go back to that pressure forward spot. It got to a point where they probably didn’t see me in their team next year.”
Gray was asked whether he received much feedback from John Longmire and Sydney’s coaching staff throughout the year.
“Probably not as much as I would’ve liked at times,” he replied.
“Understandably, they (Sydney) were going through COVID. They were away and I was back in Sydney.
“Probably not up to what I would’ve wanted. Coming from Port, they were pretty good at it, so that’s what I’m going off.”
Gray played a total of 103 AFL games, kicking 84 goals.