Sydney Swans chairman Andrew Pridham says the move to bring all home games to the SCG will help the Swans consolidate a base there.

Pridham says with plans afoot to build new facilities in the SCG precinct, the time was right for the Swans to return home.

“Our members and supporters clearly feel that the SCG is our spiritual home – we’ve been there for over 30 years,” Pridham told radio SEN on Tuesday.

“It was really about being able to play consistently (and) being able to play our biggest games at the SCG, which we’ve always considered our home ground.”

Pridham says the Swans are thrilled to have struck an agreement with the SCG Trust and ANZ Stadium on the eve of the season, conceding the move came “very, very close to not happening”.

And he says there have been some wonderful moments at ANZ Stadium over the journey.  

“We had 14 years out there and the largest ever crowd outside Victoria in a home-and-away game – ironically against Collingwood – 73,000 people.

“So I think it played an important role in the development of AFL in NSW, and for the Swans, but for us its time had come.

“Our spiritual home is the SCG, which I think is universally loved by football fans, and it’s just great to be there for all of our games.”

The Swans face Collingwood in a Round 1 blockbuster at the SCG on Saturday 26 March at 7.25pm. Tickets go on sale at 9am on Friday.

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