Sydney Swans chairman Andrew Pridham hits out at draft sceptics

The academies of the northern states clubs had a big impact on the 2023 draft, and after the uproar from those down south, Swans boss Andrew Pridham has had his say on the matter.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos, SEPTEMBER 8, 2022. (AUS PHOTO) Sydney Swans powerbrokers; chairman Andrew Pridham (R) and CEO Tom Harley. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

Sydney chairman Andrew Pridham says the Swans would swap their Academy privileges for 18 games in their home state “any day” amid ongoing debate over the allowances provided to clubs in the northern states.

Sydney matched a bid on Swans Academy midfielder Caiden Cleary at pick 24 in this year’s AFL national draft and has previously picked up stars including Isaac Heeney, Errol Gulden, Callum Mills and Nick Blakey through the program.

Gold Coast was also a big beneficiary of its Academy in this year’s draft, matching bids on Suns Academy products Jed Walter (pick 3), Ethan Read (pick 9), Jake Rogers (pick 14) and Will Graham (pick 26).

Pridham said the success of northern academies often led to a “one-sided debate” which overlooked their value to the national game.

“A big responsibility (of AFL clubs) is actually to build the game and the reality is that without the Academy structure, whether it’s in Sydney or in Queensland, there are going to be thousands and thousands of kids every year, male and female, who won’t play AFL,” Pridham said on his ‘What Matters’ podcast.

Gold Coast’s Academy prospects from the 2023 draft Will Graham, Ethan Read, Jed Walter and Jake Rogers. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images.

“They’ll play other sports. So you’ve got to invest the money to get the talent.

“The issue is not the academies, because I think they’re incredibly important. I think they’re here to stay. Probably the bigger question is what are clubs and the AFL doing in the traditional markets – Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania – to develop the talent better in those markets rather than looking and saying, ‘Well, what’s happening in Sydney, why are you getting this advantage?’.”

The conversation on the MA financial podcast also included former AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan and Collingwood president Jeff Browne.

Pridham said while the academies may give clubs in New South Wales and Queensland an advantage at the AFL draft, other clubs had far greater advantages.

“The reality is the biggest advantage of all is being in Victoria and playing 18 of your games, home and away season games, on the MCG,” Pridham said.

“That’s a massive advantage. I’d take that over an Academy any day.”

Sydney played 11 matches interstate this year, while there were five Victorian clubs who were on the road just six times throughout the regular season.