Australian Football League Side Sydney Swans To Win Battle Over AFL Trade Sanctions

Australian Football League side Sydney Swans appears "certain to win a running battle" with the AFL to be allowed to compete during next month’s player-exchange period on a level "close to equal footing with all other clubs," according to Patrick Smith of THE AUSTRALIAN. The Swans "argued their case has changed dramatically since they were banned from trading at the end of last year and they may now be allowed to trade in a player" worth A$500,000 ($357,000) a year. The league "continues to warm to Sydney’s case for a more dominant hand during this year’s trade period after constant lobbying by the Swans’ heavy hitters." The Sydney push has been led by CEO Andrew Ireland, Chair Andrew Pridham and GM of Football Operations Tom Harley, "who have gone a long way to convincing the league they need the ability to draft high-profile players." The decision "to water down the restriction will be made by the AFL executive, who will then inform the commission" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 9/15).