Don't miss any of the news involving the Swans as we bring you everything from the newspapers around the country on Thursday 24th March, 2016.

AFL’s door is open to commissioner Goodes
Neil Cordy
Daily Telegraph, March 24

AFTER apologising to Adam Goodes for the AFL’s handling of last year’s booing saga, league chief Gillon McLachlan says the Swans great would be a worthy candidate for a spot on its commission.

Goodes has not responded since McLachlan used the league’s annual report last week to express his regret he did not act earlier.

“The commission decisions are beyond my pay grade but there is no doubt that Adam Goodes has the potential to be an outstanding candidate to be a commissioner,” McLachlan said.

“I hope that Adam knows he is such an extraordinary part of our game and its history. He is one of the defining players in the modern era.

“I hope he will be a huge part of the future at the right time when he comes back to our game. There will be many potential roles available.”

NSW coup as draft heads in northerly direction
Neil Cordy
Daily Telegraph, March 24

NEW South Wales’ AFL credentials have been given a further boost with yesterday’s announcement that Sydney will host the next two AFL National Drafts and the National Championships for nines football.

AFL boss Gillon McLachlan joined NSW Premier Mike Baird and sports minister Stuart Ayres yesterday to herald the news as a coup for the premier state at Parliament House.

The venue and the date in November are yet to be set but McLachlan is already throwing up some possibilities.

“The Opera House and the Town Hall are candidates,” Mc-Lachlan said.

“The AFL draft is the most consumed event in the AFL calendar outside grand final week."

Swans eye Henson Park
Andrew Wu
SMH, March 24

It's regarded affectionately as the "jewel in the crown of rugby league" but the iconic Henson Park could become a base for the Sydney Swans as part of a joint initiative by the club and AFL NSW to find an "elite second-tier" facility in the city's east.

As the Swans prepare to play their 350th game on the SCG, it has emerged the club is searching Sydney for a venue that can be redeveloped to stage matches for their reserves side in the NEAFL competition and also be a home for their Academy and a possible women's team.

It could also be used for preseason training, though the club's preferred position is to keep its training and administration base within the Moore Park precinct.

Eddie has plans: New Sydney-Collingwood blockbuster and a Goodes medal on the agenda
Samantha Lane
The Age, March 24

Collingwood and Sydney, best of football enemies, are hatching a new, mid-year blockbuster that the chiefs of both clubs say can rival the NRL's State of Origin in significance.

The Magpie boss and broadcaster has floated the idea of an Adam Goodes medal for best afield in the annual clash, a proposal bound to have detractors given recent history between the clubs and the now retired footballer icon.

McGuire said the AFL had "let slide" boundless opportunities to promote the code in NSW since a record 72,393 attendance for a round 21 Sydney-Collingwood clash in 2003 at Stadium Australia.  It remains the biggest crowd at an AFL game outside Melbourne.

Sydney chairman Andrew Pridham, who at last week's meeting of club bosses discussed with McGuire reigniting grand-scale corporate and fan activity around the bout, said the match – re-imagined – could be Australia's biggest annual sporting event over several days.

Pridham is even flagging an annual meeting of all AFL club bosses in Sydney around the occasion, and possible temporary relocation of football shows.

With the right promotion and fixture placement of what is currently the Lockett-Coventry cup, the Swans chief said it would be a guaranteed sell-out at the SCG.

NRL's head start on AFL a big issue for Sydney Swans and GWS Giants, Tony Shepherd believes
David Sygall
SMH, March 24

Rugby league's four-week head start on the AFL season is a Lance Franklin-sized free kick that is putting Sydney's two Australian football clubs at a competitive disadvantage, Greater Wester Sydney Giants chairman Tony Shepherd believes.

AFL boss Gillon McLachlan confirmed on Wednesday that the season would start a week earlier in 2017, but that would still allow the NRL weeks in which to gain momentum in Sydney through advertising, marketing and media coverage on the back of live action.

"We are in a competition in Sydney for the hearts and minds of the people," Shepherd told Fairfax Media. "Rugby league does start earlier than us and that really starts the ball rolling in terms of football in Sydney. That head start has got to be an issue.

"If you're selling merchandise, you don't want to give your competitors a four-week start. It is an issue for us."

Adam Goodes would be ideal AFL Commission candidate: Gillon McLachlan
AAP, The Australian, March 24

AFL boss Gillon McLachlan says retired great Adam Goodes would be an ideal candidate to become the league's first indigenous Commission member.

McLachlan said the AFL was looking forward to working with the Swans' dual premiership winner, two-time Brownlow medallist and former Australian of the Year in some capacity whenever Goodes decided the time was right.

"Commission decisions are beyond my pay grade but there's no doubt that Adam Goodes has the potential to be an outstanding candidate for a commissioner," McLachlan said on Wednesday after announcing Sydney would host the AFL draft for the next two years.

"Adam is a legend of our game.”