GREATER Western Sydney has expressed some rare sympathy for rivals the Sydney Swans over the draft penalties imposed on them by the AFL.
Last week the AFL surprised many by declaring the Swans were unable to recruit new players via trades or free agency over the next two years as a result of the Cost of Living Allowance (COLA).
They have been restricted to only bringing in delisted free agents, players through the draft or rookie upgrades.
It was a decision met with concern from many quarters, including the AFL Players Association.
The Swans found another more unlikely ally on Thursday in GWS coach Leon Cameron, who was asked if he felt sorry for their cross-town rival.
"It's an interesting one and disappointing probably from Sydney's point of view," Cameron said. "You want to be able to be proactive.
"They've clearly shown the way over the last few years how to bring players into their footy club.
"We admire that, how the Swans have gone about that.
"We admire what we're now starting to do in bringing talent and mature-age players to our footy club.
"We're becoming a club that people want to come to. If we could head down that track like Sydney has, then we'll be rapt."
Cameron was speaking at a press conference where former Western Bulldogs captain Ryan Griffen was unveiled as a GWS player for the first time.
There was a significantly larger media presence on hand than usually attends Giants media gatherings and Cameron believes it was another indication that AFL is making major inroads in NSW.
"(AFL is) probably 24-7 in Melbourne, South Australia and Western Australia," he said. "But no doubt the game is growing here in NSW.
"You only need to look at the Academies, the kids that have been in the draft at the combine, the game is growing in NSW.
"The Swans have done a fantastic job in their 30-odd years being in Sydney.
"Obviously we've only been here three years, going into our fourth year.
"But we're not only growing our two clubs, we're growing the game of AFL, and it's great to see that we have this much coverage in our off-season."
In further news coming out of the Harbour City, Swans veteran Adam Goodes has revealed he would have played on in 2015 regardless of the result in this year's Grand Final.
Many felt Goodes would have retired if the Swans had won this year's flag, which they lost in a one-sided defeat to Hawthorn.
But the dual Brownlow medallist says he would have continued his 351-game career either way.
"It didn't matter what happened on Grand Final day, to be honest," Goodes told the Swans' website.
"Feeling the way I am mentally and physically, if we'd won, I would've played on.
"It was an easy decision for me and was all about how my body felt physically and I feel really good.
"So I look forward to running it into the ground again next year and seeing what happens."
