Sydney Swans

Formed in 1874 as the South Melbourne Football club, it played in the [Victorian Football Association]? until 1896 when it joined the [Victorian Football League]?. The club won its only VFL premiership in 1933, and always struggled for money, players and fans until it reached the point in the early 1980's where it was set to disappear.

The club moved to Sydney in 1981 as part of the the VFL's attempts to broaden its appeal which culminated in the national competition of the AFL?. During the mid 1980's, the club was purchased by medical entrepreneur [Geoffrey Edelsten]?, the first privately-owned AFL club, to which he brought money and equally marketing razamatazz (including elaborate half-time entertainment and the novelty of star player [Warwick Capper]? and his infamously tight shorts) to attract the Sydney public. When Edelsten's financial empire came crashing down, it looked again like the club might fold. But with substantial monetary and management support from the AFL, the club survived, and with generous [AFL draft]? concessions, has fielded a competitive team throughout the 1990's and attracted a reasonable audience - mediocre by Melbourne standards but larger on average than Sydney's native sporting code, [rugby league]?.

Premierships:

1933 (As South Melbourne)

Brownlow Medals:

Club Best And Fairests: