Colless email and Caroline Wilsons spin !

[Mark Busuttil]

I am sick of Colless saying we're almost broke. There are no excuses anymore.

We no longer have to singlehandedly promote AFL in NSW, so that must free up some serious $$$.
We mismanaged the post 1996 and post 2005 income by blowing money on silly promotion ideas (I think templeton got the arse for some of them).

Post 2012, I'd like to see us bank a few million, rather than spend it all. We are in a market when we will make money in the good times, and lose it in the bad times. We are in the good times, so need to start banking it for the inevitable bad times.

We have some very serious footy people involved at the club now & I'll back their decisions 100%. Sydney is a very fickle market and it doesn't take much for AFL to drop off. For the prelim final against Collingwood, they were blaming ticket prices for the low crowd.Remember where this club has come from - we nearly folded in 1991. Colless makes allot of sense in his e-mail & it is one that all the AFL presidents will support. This debate about money is long overdue - Ticket-tek make more money in some fixtures than the clubs participating. Some of this is due to long-term contracts but that needs to change.

[DamY]

http://mm.afl.com.au/portals/0/2011/finals/club_funding_presentation_260911.pdf

This is slightly outdated but you can see how the Swans have focused their spending on on-field performance and are working harder in admin to overcome the shortfall.

[DamY]

http://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/7106/newsid/107672/default.aspx

Financial results for 2010

http://www.afl.com.au/portals/0/2012/afl_annual_report_2011.pdf

AFL annual report for 2011

[Mug Punter]

Well said. GWS actually helps us in a huge way in pushing this debate, something RC is no doubt very aware of. Instead of moaning about our COL allowance, the smaller clubs should have been viewing our Flag as a big win for smaller clubs, to show that it CAN be done. Something many fans of Vic teams don't get is that, while Sydney is a very big city, the Swans are a small club. We have been punching above our weight for a long time and will continue to do so while we remain as blessed as we are with high quality frontoffice and coaching staff and such an incredibly gutys and courageous playing group.

If we do start to struggle though, it's not inconceivable that we could head back in the direction that we were prior to the mid 90s. God forbid.

I opposed GWS as I honestly do not believe the Sydney market can sustain two AFL clubs. I'd love to be proved wrong there too BTW

At the same time the strength of the AFL commitment to GWS ensured our future and our concessions too. It also ensures that the "smaller" Melbourne clubs have a future too as how can you cull a Melbourne club with a plastic club soaking $10-20M a year up here.

We have worked this well to our advantage. I'd love to see the AFL review actually INCREASE our COL and given Gonzo's loveable belligerence I could actually see that happening.....

[Mug Punter]

I am sick of Colless saying we're almost broke. There are no excuses anymore.

We no longer have to singlehandedly promote AFL in NSW, so that must free up some serious $$$.
We mismanaged the post 1996 and post 2005 income by blowing money on silly promotion ideas (I think templeton got the arse for some of them).

Post 2012, I'd like to see us bank a few million, rather than spend it all. We are in a market when we will make money in the good times, and lose it in the bad times. We are in the good times, so need to start banking it for the inevitable bad times.

It would be nice but it's a luxury we cannot afford....

We are figthing in probably the toughest sporting market in the world and we fight above our weight. There is an arms race going on the football and recruitment spend and our unique and creative way we have approached the battle (compare us to the Lion FFS) is nothing short of incredible.

I don't think for a minute Colless is crying wolf. GWS is a circuit breaker for us for sure but to continue as an elite club as we have will be an ongoing tough battle.

[BillyRayCypress]

The AFL has released the findings of a report they commissioned into the state of community footy in Sydney; in part, the GWS Giants copped a 'whack' for not being a team player in developing our game in the 'burbs.
So it would be a bit surprising if they called on the Swans to help them out of the poo.

Most likely it was NSW/ACT people as the others have suggested.

Do you have a link for that report as i can't find it on the AFL website?. Thanks

[justabaraker]

Do you have a link for that report as i can't find it on the AFL website?. Thanks

It's on the Sydney AFL website under "Sydney Review":-

Sydney Review - Sydney AFL - SportingPulse

[BillyRayCypress]

Thanks for that link. I remember now doing the survey months ago.

It would have been nice if they bothered to email the participants with the survey results. Although quick scan at the report and I hope they didn't spend too much money on getting it done.

Shall read with interest.