Sydney CEO Tom Harley talks changes to Academy bidding as Swans break membership record

As the Swans celebrate two of the most significant milestones in the club’s history, their CEO Tom Harley has had his say on talks there might be changes to the process of matching bids on Academy players.

Sydney CEO Tom Harley. Picture: Michael Klein

Sydney Swans CEO Tom Harley believes the AFL shouldn’t be making snap changes to the bidding process for Academy and Father-Son players at the Draft just because Gold Coast had one exceptionally profitable year.

Speaking at the club’s 150th anniversary celebrations on Wednesday, Harley re-emphasised the Swans’ position that the Academies and the associated Draft bidding system should be supported in its current form.

It comes amid talk from football operations boss Laura Kane that the points-bidding system is being reviewed and changes could be made as soon as this year.

John Longmire admitted the Swans were in “the dark” over any proposed charges earlier in the week, but Harley went one step further in endorsing the status quo.

Harley spoke strongly on maintaining the current Academy bidding system as the Swans celebrated their 150th anniversary. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“I think the Academies are the most important game development initiative for the growth of the game, certainly in Sydney and in Queensland,” Harley said.

“The reality is the current bidding process … I think is absolutely adequate.

“The facts remain we’ve got 25 per cent of our playing list from NSW which means 75% aren’t. The Academy has been going for 14 years and we’ve had over 5,000 boys and girls. Only 24 have been drafted and half a dozen have had a career like Callum Mills. That’s about 0.1 per cent of players who have made it to the elite level.”

The topic roared back into the public consciousness following the Gold Coast Suns’ impressive 2023 draft. They came away with four players in the first round – Jed Walter, Ethan Read, Jake Rogers and Will Graham – after stockpiling picks and matching bids on each of the quartet.

Jed Walter (R) is one of four Gold Coast Academy players taken by the Suns in last year’s first round. Picture: Graham Denholm/Getty Images

Harley was extremely vocal in his stance that one particularly strong draft shouldn’t be influencing policy going forward.

“To make a snap judgement off of the four Gold Coast players, which is what it feels like, I think would be really folly,” Harley said.

“I take a different view. I’ll celebrate the fact that the Suns had a really strong Academy haul.

“And certainly the club’s point of view from what we do and the time and energy that we invest into growing the game I think is recognised and needs to continue to be recognised.”

The Swans also announced on Wednesday that the club had passed 70,000 members for the first time in its history. They have already grown 5,000 members from last year’s total, and are confident that they will reach 75,000 before the AFLW season commences.

Sydney's own Academy stars Errol Gulden and Isaac Heeney have been integral to their 12-1 start to the season. Picture: Phil Hillyard

The groundswell of support for the club, currently sitting on top of the ladder with a three-game gap to second, also sees them on track to break their attendance record. Through six home games, the Swans are currently averaging just shy of 40,000 fans a game at the SCG.

It has meant on multiple occasions gates have had to be closed and general admission and red zone members have had to have seats found for them in other parts of the ground.

While it’s not front of mind yet, Harley admits that the possibility of outgrowing the SCG is something they may have to address sooner rather than later.

“The average is 39,950 … in the 40 years to now only eight crowds at the SCG excluding finals were over 40,000,” Harley said. “Four of our six home games have been (over 40,000) this year.

“We want to make sure that we provide access to all our members and our membership team, many of whom are in the room today.

“Look, if there came a time where we needed a larger stadium, that’d be great. Right now, we’re very comfortable packing out the SCG.

“It’s just a really good fit and we feel like we’re a significant part of the sporting landscape in Sydney.”

Originally published as Sydney CEO Tom Harley talks changes to Academy bidding as Swans break membership record