Sydney Swans post $500k loss after missing finals

Sydney has posted its first operating loss in a decade, paying the price for the missing the finals for the first time since 2009.

Lance Franklin played just 10 games in 2019 as the Swans failed to make the finals. Picture: Phil Hillyard

The Sydney Swans have paid a financial price for their rare finals absence, recording the AFL club’s first net operating loss in nine years.

Sydney revealed on Friday they had posted a net operating loss of $509,625 for the year ending October 31.

It is the first time the Swans have failed to record a profit since 2010, when they announced a loss of $549,819.

The club noted in a statement that the 2019 loss reflected several factors, including increased operating costs and the impact of not reaching the finals.

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Lance Franklin played just 10 games in 2019 as the Swans failed to make the finals. Picture: Phil Hillyard

It was just the fourth time in 24 years that the red and whites were not involved in the September shake up for the flag and their first finals absence since 2009.

John Longmire’s men eventually finished 15th on the ladder with eight wins and 14 losses. Star forward Lance Franklin missed much of the campaign through injury while experienced performers Jarrad McVeigh, Nick Smith, Heath Grundy and Kieren Jack all called it quits in 2019.

On the plus side, the Swans average crowd at the SCG was 31,070 and the club set a new record for members with 61,912 signing up.

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Swans chairman Andrew Pridham thanked everyone involved in the “Sydney Swans family” and insists the future looks bright for the club.

“There’s so much excitement for what’s ahead for our team in the new year,” he said. “I believe that we can look forward with great optimism, on and off the field.

“We have a young and talented list. Further, strong progress is being made in the redevelopment of our training and administration facilities, work that will benefit the community and generations of future players in our men’s and academy programs, and ultimately an AFLW team.”

— with AAP