The Sydney Swans have reported a net operating loss of $509,625 for the year ending October 31, 2019. Net assets were $2,201,819.

The operating loss is the first in nine years and reflects several factors including increased operating costs and the impact of not qualifying for the AFL finals.

On the field in season 2019, the next generation of Sydney Swans made their mark as four premiership players were farewelled, including Jarrad McVeigh, Kieren Jack, Heath Grundy and Nick Smith.

For the first time in 10 years, and just the fourth time in the last 24 years, Sydney didn’t feature in the AFL finals series.

Regularly fielding one of the youngest teams in the competition, Sydney finished the season in 15th position with eight wins, 14 losses and a percentage of 97.7.

For the sixth consecutive year, the club averaged more than 30,000 supporters at the SCG and set a new membership record of 61,912 members.

Swans chairman Andrew Pridham thanked everyone involved with the club for their efforts in season 2019.

“We’re so incredibly grateful to our loyal members, supporters, corporate partners – in particular our Principal Partner QBE – all staff, players, coaches, my fellow directors and the volunteers who make up the Sydney Swans family,” Pridham said.

“There’s so much excitement for what’s ahead for our team in the new year. 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.”

Key 2019 statistics: 

  • 31,070 average crowd at the SCG
  • 36,640 largest home match attendance was against West Coast
  • 341,765 total attendance across all Sydney Swans SCG home games
  • 678,483 total attendance across all games
  • 61,912 members – a new record for the seventh consecutive year
  • 858,140 average TV viewers for Sydney Swans home-and-away season matches in 2019
  • 11,552,774 gross cumulative TV audience for Sydney Swans home-and-away season matches
  • Largest fan base in the AFL with 1.1 million fans in Australia (source: Roy Morgan AFL Club Supporter Ladder)