31 July 1985, and the Sydney Swans again made history, becoming the first privately owned VFL club.
Six months previously, the idea had been mooted when the VFL announced that high-profile Carlton supporter Dr Geoffrey Edelsten had made a bid of $3 million to buy the Club. A bidding war ensued, in which there were three major players – but ultimately the offer (reportedly worth $6.5 million) made by Dr Geoffrey Edelsten, backed by Powerplay, was unanimously accepted by the VFL Board.
In reality, the selling price was $2.932 million – this included paying off the Swans’ debts and a distribution to all the other clubs.
The sale of the Club changed the face of football in Sydney dramatically over the following couple of years.
On field, under new coach John Northey, the team had started 1985 well. A 110-point thrashing of St Kilda at Moorabbin, followed by a four point victory over Richmond at the SCG saw the Swans on top of the ladder after the first two rounds.
However, losses in the following three games saw the season descend into mediocrity, and the Swans ultimately finished tenth on the ladder with six wins and 16 losses for the year.
At season’s end it was decided that a more experienced and higher profile coach was required, and John Northey was replaced by former Richmond Premiership coach Tom Hafey, after a failed attempt to lure Kevin Sheedy away from Essendon.
However, the most significant departure at the close of the 1985 season was that of Barry Round, former Captain, Brownlow Medallist and Club Champion, who had served the Club loyally since 1976.
Also farewelled at the end of 1985 were David Ackerly, Bernie Evans, Craig Braddy, Wayne Carroll, Gary Frangalas, Bill Picken and Colin Hounsell.
It was to be a busy off-season, as the Club embarked on a quest to entice established quality players to Sydney to fill the gaping holes left by those who had departed the Club. The football world eagerly anticipated a vastly changed Sydney Swans outfit for 1986.
