AFL takes long term view for second Sydney team

AFL Chief Executive Andrew Demetriou says the success of a second Sydney team in the national competition wonât fully be able to be judged for decades, regardless of whatever success Team GWS might have in its early years.
Speaking as the AFL announced draft concessions for Team GWS, the competitionâs 18th license, Demetriou reiterated the AFLâs determination for expansion but said western Sydney would be a difficult market to crack explaining that the establishing the Blacktown Olympic Park-based club will be "arguably the greatest challenge undertaken by the AFL."
Demetriou explained that "we think itâs the right time, the right opportunity and weâll give it our best, and thatâs all we can hope to do.
"When you consider that weâre committing in excess of $120 million over the next six years to the club, and thatâs complemented by between $80-$100 million in NSW with our grassroots program which includes facilities, talent identification, fan development, itâs a $200 million-plus investment.
"And we see it as an investment, itâs a long-term strategy that we will see the benefits of, we hope, 10-20 years down the track ⦠thatâs what investments are."
Demetriou said while the League would guide Team GWS, as it did initially with the Gold Coast Football Club, he pointed to the competitionâs 17th franchise as an example of how quickly a new club could get off the ground, adding "with Greater Western Sydney, weâd hope to help as much as we can to a point in time where really the local community will identify the colours, the brand, the song, the identity that they want, what the club represents.
"This will be the Greater Western Sydneyâs club, and itâs their club to run and to own and to feel a deep sense of belonging for over a period of time."
Demetriou also announced that one of the NRLâs top administrators, former Manly Sea Eagles Chief Executive Grant Mayer, was joining Team GWS adding that the news would be one of a series of "very, very exciting" announcements for the franchise in coming weeks.
"Weâve been approached by various people from various sporting codes to join us," Demetriou added.
"I think that speaks volumes for what weâve always believed is a great, fertile opportunity for us to grow the game in a very important market.
"The fact that people from other codes are approaching us to be involved is a real confidence booster."
Team GWS will also gain more player concessions for its inaugural squad than its predecessor AFL club Gold Coast when it enters the competition in 2012.