Swans president Andrew Pridham has faced fierce criticism after reportedly suggesting to the AFL Commission that the GWS Giants should leave Sydney and relocate permanently to Canberra. The proposal has sparked tensions between the two Sydney-based AFL clubs.
Context and Reactions
Pridham and Swans CEO Matthew Pavlich recently discussed the state of Australian Rules football in Sydney and New South Wales, expressing their belief that GWS should focus on Canberra and the Riverina region. Speaking on Channel Seven's The Agenda Setters, reporter Tom Morris confirmed that Giants boss Dave Matthews was furious upon learning of the suggestion.
“Essentially what he (Pridham) is saying is Sydney (the club) want GWS out of Sydney (the city) to go to Canberra and the Riverina,” Morris said. “I spoke to outgoing Giants CEO Dave Matthews... and it's fair to say he wasn't happy.”
In a statement to The Agenda Setters, Matthews responded: “The Swans had a 30-year head start, but should understand the need for two big Sydney clubs. Thinking otherwise is at best narrow-minded and at worst selfish.”
Previous Tensions
During the recent Gather Round in Adelaide, Pridham raised eyebrows when asked if the Giants had made inroads across western Sydney. His response was blunt: “No. None.” He added that GWS enjoy “strong support in the ACT.”
The GWS Giants currently play four home matches per season at Manuka Oval in Canberra as part of a deal with the ACT Government. Last year, the Swans declared the SCG off-limits to GWS after the Giants proposed a 2026 'home' game against Richmond be played at Moore Park, as their regular base at Sydney Olympic Park was unavailable due to the Royal Easter Show.
“Our position is consistent: under our venue hire agreement, we have exclusive rights to AFL games on the SCG, and we would enforce that as we always have... so it's not going to happen,” Pridham said at the time.
Call for Unity
The Agenda Setters host Craig Hutchison urged a collaborative approach, stating: “They can't be getting tribal at this time.” He emphasised that growing the code in Sydney should be a combined focus for the Swans, Giants, and the league.
Earlier this month, Matthews revealed the Giants are open to rebranding away from the GWS moniker, which they have used since their 2012 inception. The ongoing dispute highlights the challenges of expanding AFL presence in a rugby-dominated market.
