AFL Side Greater Western Sydney Pushes For Funding Cut Of Sydney Swans

Australian Football League side Greater Western Sydney "has pushed for the AFL to cut its financial support" of the Sydney Swans and "refused to back its cross-city rival in the bid to retain the controversial" A$1M ($903,600) cost of living allowance, according to Caroline Wilson of THE AGE. On the eve of a meeting with the AFL Commission, the Giants "have officially distanced themselves from Sydney," with Chair Tony Shepherd suggesting that "the time had come for the Swans to operate without extra help." Joining "the chorus led in recent weeks by fellow club chairmen Eddie McGuire and David Koch," Shepherd said the Swans should no longer be subsidized. Shepherd said, ''The Swans have been in Sydney for more than 30 years and it can be argued that as an established club they no longer need additional support" (THE AGE, 2/17).