CHIEF executive Andrew Demetriou has reiterated the League's intent to launch a team in western Sydney in 2012.
In a surprise appearance at the Sydney Swans' season launch on Tuesday, Demetriou said the introduction of a second team in Australia's most populous state had "never been a matter of if, it’s been a matter of when".
He said the second club would help the Swans win the hearts and minds of local sports fans in their battle against rival codes.
"[The Swans] have been doing the heavy lifting and really admirably, I must say. They’re a fantastic football club and very successful," Demetriou said.
"They’ve got double the turnover of most other clubs in this town. They’ve got easily the highest membership, but it’s tough when you’re competing against 17 other clubs.
"We need another club to put a game every weekend in this market, to have double the number of players so they can help promote the game."
Demetriou said Swans chairman Richard Colless supported the AFL’s push into western Sydney and there had been ongoing dialogue between the Swans and the League about the expansion.
He also vowed that the AFL’s plans to expand to 18 clubs would not harm the long-term viability of any existing teams.
"Our existing 16 clubs cannot be disadvantaged in any way by this expansion and we’ve made that promise – that our expansion cannot be to the detriment of our clubs and our players," he said.
"If any club … was to get into strife, they know that the AFL’s there to help them. It’s very important for us to have 16 strong football teams."
More to follow…
