View source for Sydney Swans

{{Short description|Australian rules football club}}
{{Use Australian English|date=January 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2015}}
{{Infobox Australian football club
|color1 = #E1251B
|color2 = white
|color3 = solid white
| clubname  = Sydney Swans
| image     = Sydney Swans Logo 2020.svg
| image_size = 150
| caption   = 
| fullname  = Sydney Swans Limited<ref>{{cite web|url=https://abr.business.gov.au/ABN/View?abn=48063349708|title=Current details for ABN 48 063 349 708|website=[[Australian Business Number]]|date=November 2014|publisher=Australian Business Register|access-date=4 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sydneyswans.com.au/staticfile/AFL%20Tenant/SydneySwans/Club%20HQ/Swans%20Constitution.pdf|title=Sydney Swans Constitution|access-date=24 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916123719/http://www.sydneyswans.com.au/staticfile/AFL%20Tenant/SydneySwans/Club%20HQ/Swans%20Constitution.pdf|archive-date=16 September 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| formernames = South Melbourne Football Club<br/>(1874–1981)<br/>The Swans<br/>(1982)
| nicknames = Swans, Swannies, Bloods 
| season    = [[2023 Sydney Swans season|<span style="color:white">2025</span>]]
| home&away = Tenth
| afterfinals = Tenth
| pre-season = 
| topgoalkicker  = [[Isaac Heeney]] (37 goals)
| bestandfairest = [[Isaac Heeney]]
| bestandfairestname = Bob Skilton Medal
| founded   = {{Start date and age|19 June 1874}}
| colours   = {{color box|#ED171F}} Red {{color box|white}} White
| league    = '''[[Australian Football League|AFL]]:''' Senior men<br>'''[[AFL Women's|AFLW]]:''' Senior women<br>'''[[Victorian Football League|VFL]]:''' Reserves men <br/>'''[[VFL Women's|VFLW]]:''' Reserves women
| coach     = '''AFL:''' [[Dean Cox]]<br>'''AFLW:''' <br>'''VFL:''' [[Nick Malceski]]
| captain   = '''AFL: ''' [[Callum Mills]]<br>'''AFLW:''' [[Chloe Molloy]], [[Lucy McEvoy]]<br>'''VFL:''' [[Nicholas Shipley]]
| premierships = '''VFL/AFL''' (5){{hlist|''[[1909 VFL Grand Final|1909]]''|''[[1918 VFL Grand Final|1918]]''|''[[1933 VFL Grand Final|1933]]''|[[2005 AFL Grand Final|2005]]|[[2012 AFL Grand Final|2012]]}}'''VFA''' (5){{hlist|''[[1881 VFA season|1881]]''|''[[1885 VFA season|1885]]''|''[[1888 VFA season|1888]]''|''[[1889 VFA season|1889]]''|''[[1890 VFA season|1890]]''}}'''Reserves''' (4){{hlist|[[AFL Canberra|2005]]|[[AFL Canberra|2006]]|[[AFL Canberra|2007]]|[[AFL Canberra|2008]]}}
<small>''South Melbourne in italics.''</small>
| membership = {{increase}} 76,674<ref>{{cite web |title=Sydney Swans hit new all-time membership record |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/1416244/all-time-club-membership-record-broken-again |publisher=AFL |access-date=6 November 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251106103332/https://www.afl.com.au/news/1416244/all-time-club-membership-record-broken-again |archive-date=6 November 2025 |date=6 November 2025}}</ref>
| membership_year = 2025
| n1th      = Jason Kimberley<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/our-people/ticket-holder | title=Official AFL Website of the Sydney Swans Football Club. All the latest news, videos, results and information | date=6 October 2023 }}</ref>
| ground    = '''AFL:''' [[Sydney Cricket Ground]] (48,000)<br>'''AFLW:''' [[Henson Park]] (20,000) [[North Sydney Oval]] (10,000)<br>'''VFL:''' [[Sydney Cricket Ground]], [[Tramway Oval]] (1,000)
| ground2   = 
| capacity  = 
| capacity2 = 
| formerground = [[Lakeside Stadium|Lakeside Oval]] (1874–1981) <br /> [[Stadium Australia]] (2002–2015)
| trainingground = '''Outdoor: '''[[Sydney Cricket Ground]], [[Tramway Oval]], [[Moore Park, New South Wales|Moore Park]]<br>'''Indoor:''' Royal Hall of Industries, Moore Park
| url       = {{URL|http://www.sydneyswans.com.au/|sydneyswans.com.au}}
| jumper    = 
| current   = 2025 Sydney Swans season
| pattern_name1 = Home 
| pattern_b1      = _sydneyswans2021h
| pattern_sh1     = _whitesides2
| pattern_so1     = _hoops_red
| body1           = FFFFFF
| shorts1         = FF0000
| socks1          = FFFFFF
| pattern_name2 = Clash
| pattern_b2      =   _sydneyswans2021h
| pattern_sh2     = _sides_on_white
| pattern_so2     =  _hoops_white
| body2           =FFFFFF 
| shorts2         = FF0000
| socks2          = ED171F
| pattern_b3      = _sydneyswans2021heritage
| pattern_sh3     =_whitesides2 
| pattern_so3     = _hoops_red
| body3           = FFFFFF
| shorts3         = 404040
| socks3          = 
| pattern_name3 = Heritage
}}
The '''Sydney Swans''' are an [[Australian rules football]] club based in [[Sydney]], [[New South Wales]]. The men's team competes in the [[Australian Football League]] (AFL), and the women's team in the [[AFL Women's]] (AFLW). The Swans also field a [[#Reserves team|reserves men's team]] in the [[Victorian Football League]] (VFL). The Sydney Swans Academy, consisting of the club's best junior development signings, contests Division 2 of the [[AFL Under-19 Championships|men's]] and [[AFL Women's Under-18 Championships|women's]] underage national championships and the [[Talent League]].

The club's origins trace back to 21 March 1873, when a meeting was held at the Clarendon Hotel in [[South Melbourne]] to establish a junior football club, to be called the '''South Melbourne Football Club'''.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1873-03-24 |title=MONDAY, MARCH 24, 1873. |work=Argus |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5850573 |access-date=2022-07-16}}</ref> The club commenced playing in 1874 at its home ground, [[Lakeside Stadium|Lakeside Oval]] in [[Albert Park, Victoria|Albert Park]]. Playing as South Melbourne, it participated in the [[Victorian Football League|Victorian Football Association]] (VFA) competition from 1878 before joining the breakaway [[Victorian Football League (1897-1989)|Victorian Football League]] (VFL) as a founding member in 1897. Originally known as the "Bloods" in reference to the red colour used on players' [[Guernsey (Australian rules football)|guernseys]], the Swan emblem was adopted in 1933 after a journalist at the time referred to them using the moniker following a large influx of Western Australian players. In 1982, it became the first professional Australian football club to permanently relocate interstate (from [[Victoria, Australia|Victoria]] to New South Wales). Initially playing in Sydney as "The Swans", it was given its current name in 1983.<ref>[https://www.theage.com.au/national/nsw/all-our-cygnets-are-in-a-row-for-diehard-swans-fans-the-bloods-run-deep-20220922-p5bka2.html All our cygnets are in a row': For diehard Swans fans, the Bloods run deep] 24 September 2022</ref>

The club has a rivalry with the [[Greater Western Sydney Giants]], with whom they contest the [[Sydney Derby (AFL)|Sydney Derby]]. Their headquarters and training facilities are located in the [[Moore Park, New South Wales|Moore Park]] sporting precinct, with offices and indoor training at the Royal Hall of Industries and outdoor sessions conducted on the adjacent [[Tramway Oval]] and [[Sydney Cricket Ground]], the latter being the site of the club's senior men's team home matches since 1982. The Swans have won five VFL/AFL premierships including [[1909 VFL Grand Final|1909]], [[1918 VFL Grand Final|1918]], and [[1933 VFL Grand Final|1933]], before experiencing a 72-year premiership drought—the longest of any team in the competition's history. This premiership drought ended with the [[2005 AFL Grand Final|2005 premiership]], which was later followed by another title in [[2012 AFL Grand Final|2012]]. Their five premierships are supplemented by fourteen grand final defeats, the most recent of which came in [[2024 AFL Grand Final|2024]].

According to [[Roy Morgan]] statistics, the Swans are one of the most supported clubs in the AFL with more than a million fans in 2021;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.roymorgan.com/findings/8799-afl-supporter-ladder-june-2021-202109210357#:~:text=The%20Sydney%20Swans%20have%20again,Morgan%20AFL%20club%20supporters%20survey|title=AFL supporter bases boom in 2020/21 as lockdowns keep people at home and 'glued' to the action on TV|work=Roy Morgan|date=21 September 2021|language=en}}</ref> it has also been the most supported club in the league for the past nineteen years consecutively, dating back to 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.roymorgan.com/findings/9679-afl-supporter-ladder-september-2024|title=Grand Finalists Sydney & Brisbane are the most widely supported AFL teams with over 1 million supporters each|publisher=Roy Morgan|date=24 September 2024}}</ref>

==History==

===Origins: 1873–1876===
The club's origins trace back to 21 March 1873, when a meeting was held at the Clarendon Hotel in [[South Melbourne]] for the purpose of establishing a junior football club, to be called the South Melbourne Football Club.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1873-03-24 |title=MONDAY, MARCH 24, 1873. |work=Argus |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5850573 |access-date=2022-07-16}}</ref>

According to club historians, it was incorporated at the Temperance Hall, Napier Street at Emerald Hill 19 June 1874.<ref>[https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/1361548/birth-of-a-club Birth of a club] from Sydney Swans.com.au Jun 19, 2023</ref> It was first known as "Cecil Football Club" (after Cecil Street, [[South Melbourne]], one of the early thoroughfares),<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article243864985 |title=SOUTH'S JUBILEE |newspaper=[[The Herald (Melbourne)|The Herald]] |issue=14,881 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=28 January 1925 |access-date=10 December 2021 |page=6 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> but adopted the name "South Melbourne Football Club" four weeks later on 15 July.<ref>[http://sydneyswans.com.au/Swans/TheClub/History/tabid/7210/Default.aspx History – Official AFL Website of the Sydney Swans<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070901004841/http://sydneyswans.com.au/Swans/TheClub/History/tabid/7210/Default.aspx |date=1 September 2007 }}</ref> The club was based at [[Lake Oval]] alongside the lake in Albert Park, also home of the [[South Melbourne Cricket Club]].<ref name="Lakeside Stadium">{{cite web|url=https://www.austadiums.com/stadiums/lakeside-stadium|title=Lakeside Stadium|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/1874-1897|title=Timeline: VFA era and the birth of a new club (1874–1897)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>

While one of the early favourites to win, South Melbourne were a notable exclusion from the [[Challenge Cup (Australian rules football)|Challenge Cup competitions]] of the 1870s with entry to this competition strictly limited to clubs playing under the [[Melbourne Football Club]]'s rules. The club's lack of adherence to the Victorian Rules (and insistence on playing by its own rules) resulted in some controversial early wins.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article138066466 |title=TO THE EDITOR OF THE AUSTRALASIAN. |newspaper=[[The Australasian]] |volume=IX |issue=229 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=20 August 1870 |access-date=7 April 2022 |page=13 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> This, along with ability to regularly field a full senior team, may have contributed to its absence during the football season competition begun in the 1870s. Throughout this period South Melbourne, along with neighbouring Cup member club Albert Park, had experimented with [[rugby football]] rules which in May 1874 had advocated strongly for their widespread adoption in Victoria;<ref>The Record and Emerald Hill and Sandridge Advertiser. May 1874</ref> however, this did not meet favour with the more powerful clubs in the colony.{{Citation needed|date=July 2024}}

Despite not being part of the big league of clubs, South Melbourne by the mid-1870s is recorded to have enough senior players to field two teams of twenty and played matches against non-Cup clubs during this time against nearby clubs including Fawkner Park, Elwood,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article202167497 |title=FOOTBALL. |newspaper=[[The Age]] |issue=6368 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=5 July 1875 |access-date=7 April 2022 |page=4 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> [[West Melbourne Football Club|West Melbourne]], Southern Rifles in 1875<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article220460157 |title=FOOTBALL |newspaper=[[Weekly Times]] |issue=308 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=31 July 1875 |access-date=7 April 2022 |page=5 (TOWN EDITION) |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> and Sandridge Alma,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article7439717 |title=SATURDAY'S SPORTS. |newspaper=[[The Argus (Melbourne)]] |issue=9,340 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=22 May 1876 |access-date=7 April 2022 |page=6 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> St Kilda Alma,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article220460944 |title=FOOTBALL NOTES. |newspaper=[[Weekly Times]] |issue=356 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=1 July 1876 |access-date=7 April 2022 |page=5 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> Victoria Parade,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article220462808 |title=FOOTBALL NOTES. |newspaper=[[Weekly Times]] |issue=358 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=15 July 1876 |access-date=7 April 2022 |page=5 (TOWN EDITION) |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> and [[Williamstown Football Club|Williamstown]] in 1876<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5890598 |title=SATURDAY'S SPORTS. |newspaper=[[The Argus (Melbourne)]] |issue=9,352 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=5 June 1876 |access-date=7 April 2022 |page=9 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> among others. Many of this group of clubs most of which had primarily juniors had also begun to discuss starting their own cup competition.{{Citation needed|date=July 2024}}

South was one of Victoria's most prolific touring clubs. Seeking more regular senior competition in 1876 South Melbourne also went on one of its first regional tours playing against newly formed clubs at [[Beechworth Football Club|Beechworth]], [[Blackwood, Victoria|Blackwood]], [[Taradale, Victoria|Taradale]] and [[Ballarat]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article60095607 |title=SPORTING. |newspaper=[[Illustrated Australian News]] |issue=237 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=15 May 1876 |access-date=7 April 2022 |page=70 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>

===VFA era: 1877–1896===
South Melbourne was a junior foundation club of the [[Victorian Football Association]] in 1877, and attained senior status in 1879.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Australasian|date=18 October 1879|title=The Football Season of 1879 – Part 1|author=Peter Pindar|location=Melbourne|page=493|issue=707|volume=XXVII}}</ref>

====Amalgamation with Albert Park====
In 1880, South Melbourne amalgamated with the nearby [[Albert Park Football Club (VFA)|Albert-park Football Club]], which had a senior football history dating back to May 1867 (Albert-park had, in fact, been known as South Melbourne during its first year of existence).<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Argus|page=5|title=Thursday, 23 May 1867|date=23 May 1867|location=Melbourne}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Australasian|pages=588–589|title=Football|date=8 May 1869|volume=VI|issue=162|location=Melbourne}}</ref> Following the amalgamation, the club retained the name South Melbourne, and adopted the club's now familiar red and white colours from Albert-park.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://vuir.vu.edu.au/344/1/05chapter4.pdf|title=Chapter four – Sydney or bust: the South Melbourne Football Club's 1981 relocation saga|access-date=18 October 2014|page=111|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630175551/http://vuir.vu.edu.au/344/1/05chapter4.pdf|archive-date=30 June 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> Nicknamed the "Southerners", the team was more colourfully known as the "Bloods", in reference to the bright red diagonal sash on their white jumpers<ref>[http://home.vicnet.net.au/~nickname/afl.html#swans Nickname – AFL<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080608065725/http://home.vicnet.net.au/~nickname/afl.html |date=8 June 2008 }}</ref><ref>Edited by Ross, J and G. Hutchison, G.,''100 Years of Australian Football'', Published by Viking, Penguin Books Australia Ltd, 1996</ref> The colourful epithet the "Bloodstained Angels" was also in use. Following the 1880 amalgamation it became the strongest in metropolitan Melbourne.<ref name="review">{{cite news|newspaper=The Australasian|date=16 October 1880|title=The Football Season of 1880|author=Peter Pindar|location=Melbourne|page=492|issue=759|volume=XXIX}}</ref>

====VFA success====
[[File:Southmelbourne_fc_1888.jpg|thumb|left|The Bloods and the [[1888 British Lions tour to New Zealand and Australia|touring British Lions]] in front of the grandstand at the South Melbourne Cricket Ground in 1888. South Melbourne won 7 goals to 3]]
Over its first decade as an amalgamated club, South Melbourne won five VFA premierships – in 1881, 1885 (undefeated) and three-in-a-row in 1888, 1889 and 1890 – and was runner-up to the provincial [[Geelong Football Club]] in 1880, 1883 and 1886. The 1886 season was notable for its [[South Melbourne vs Geelong (1886 VFA season)|4 September match]] against Geelong, which generated unprecedented public interest as both clubs had entered the match undefeated.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-05-08 |title=On This Day: First VFL game |url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/689691/on-this-day-first-vfl-game? |access-date=2025-02-11 |website=sydneyswans.com.au |language=en}}</ref>

The club was the second Victorian club to visit New South Wales in 1883 travelling to Newcastle where it also defeated the Northern Districts League by a goal before travelling to Sydney where it defeated [[Sydney Football Club (NSWAFL)|Sydney]] by just a single goal in front of a large crowd at the Sydney Cricket Ground<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13538663 |title=FOOTBALL. |newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |issue=14,127 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=9 July 1883 |accessdate=13 May 2022 |page=6 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> and  East Sydney Football Club by a goal in front of 600 spectators.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13538888 |title=FOOTBALL. |newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |issue=14,129 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=11 July 1883 |accessdate=14 May 2022 |page=8 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>

In May 1889, the Swans lost narrowly to a [[List of 1888–89 New Zealand Native football team matches|touring Maori team from New Zealand]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/culture/nz-natives-rugby-tour/matches-played |title=Matches played—New Zealand Natives' rugby tour, 1888/89 |publisher=nzhistory.net.nz |access-date=1 June 2013 |archive-date=15 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215141348/http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/culture/nz-natives-rugby-tour/matches-played |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:VFA_Grand_Final_1896_between_Collingwood_vs_South_Melbourne_at_East_Melbourne_Cricket_Ground_Weekly_Times_10_October_1896.png|thumb|South Melbourne played in the first Victorian Grand Final, the [[1896 VFA Grand Final]]]]
At the end of the 1896 season, [[Collingwood Football Club|Collingwood]] and South Melbourne finished equal at the top of the VFA's premiership ladder with records of 14–3–1, requiring a [[1896 VFA season#Playoff match|playoff match]] to determine the season's premiership; this was the first time this had occurred in VFA history.<ref name="rd20">{{cite news|newspaper=The Argus|location=Melbourne|date=28 September 1896|title=Football Notes|page=6}}</ref> The match took place on 3 October 1896 at the [[East Melbourne Cricket Ground]]. Collingwood won the match, six goals to five, in front of an estimated crowd of 12,000.<ref name="argusplayoff">{{cite news|newspaper=The Argus|location=Melbourne|date=5 October 1896|title=The Football Premiership|page=5}}</ref>

This grand final would be the last match South Melbourne would play in the VFA, as the following season they would be one of eight founding clubs forming the breakaway [[Victorian Football League (1897–1989)|Victorian Football League]] joining [[St Kilda Football Club|St Kilda]], [[Essendon Football Club|Essendon]], [[Fitzroy Football Club|Fitzroy]], [[Melbourne Football Club|Melbourne]], [[Geelong Football Club|Geelong]], [[Carlton Football Club|Carlton]] and [[Collingwood Football Club|Collingwood]].{{Citation needed|date=July 2024}}

===VFL entry: 1897–1909===
[[File:1909 South Melbourne Football Club.jpg|thumb|[[1909 VFL season|1909]] VFL team]]
South Melbourne was one of the original founding clubs of the [[Victorian Football League (1897–1989)|Victorian Football League]] that was formed in 1897.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/1898-1930|title=Timeline: Early VFL days (1898–1930)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>

===Premiership success: 1909–1945===
[[File:Aerial view of Albert Park Lake and the South Melbourne Cricket Ground in the foreground with a football match in progress.jpeg|thumb|left|Aerial photo of the South Melbourne cricket ground during the 1920s with a SMFC match in progress]]
The club had early success and won three VFL premierships in 1909, 1918 and 1933.{{Citation needed|date=July 2024}} However, they were the subject of some off-field difficulties, and the late 1920s, the [[South Melbourne Districts Football Club]] donated 40 [[Guinea (coin)|guineas]] to South Melbourne to stop them from folding.<ref name="vafasmd">{{cite web |title=South Melbourne Districts Football Club |url=https://www.vafa.com.au/clubs/south-melbourne-districts/ |publisher=Victorian Amateur Football Association |access-date=29 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240929012207/https://www.vafa.com.au/clubs/south-melbourne-districts/ |archive-date=29 September 2024}}</ref> The Districts also often provided assistance payments to players when needed.<ref name="vafasmd"/>

In 1932, the red sash on the guernsey was replaced with a red "V".<ref>Branagan, Mark and Lefebvre, Mike, Bloodstained Angels, The Rise & Fall of the Foreign Legion, 1995, self-published, Melbourne, Australia</ref> 
The club was at its most successful in the 1930s, when key recruits from both Victoria and interstate led to a string of appearances in the finals, including four successive grand final appearances from 1933 to 1936, albeit with only one premiership in 1933. The collection of players recruited from interstate in 1932/1933 became known as South Melbourne's "Foreign Legion".<ref>The caricature at the foot of [https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/149547747/17704724 page 10 of ''Table Talk'' (22 June 1933)] was created by Richard "Dick" Ovenden (1897–1972). From left to right those represented are: [[Jack Bisset]], the team's captain; [[Dick Mullaly]], the club's secretary; [[Brighton Diggins]], from Subiaco (WAFL); [[Bert Beard]], from South Fremantle (WAFL); [[Bill Faul]], from Subiaco (WAFL); [[Joe O'Meara]], from East Perth (WAFL); [[Frank Davies (footballer, born 1907)|Frank Davies]], from City (NTFA); [[Laurie Nash]], from City (NTFA); [[John Bowe (footballer)|John Bowe]], from Subiaco (WAFL); [[Jack Wade (footballer)|Jack Wade]], from Port Adelaide (SANFL); [[Ossie Bertram]], from West Torrens (SANFL); and [[Wilbur Harris]], from West Torrens (SANFL).</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/1898-1930|title=Timeline: Early VFL days (1898–1930)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>

On grand final eve, 1935, as the Swans prepared to take on Collingwood, star full-forward Bob Pratt was clipped by a truck moments after stepping off a tram and subsequently missed the match for South. Ironically, the truck driver was a South Melbourne supporter.<ref>Shaw, I.W. (2006) ''The Bloodbath''. Scribe Publications.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/1930-1960|title=Timeline: A second wave of success (1930–1960)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>

[[File:Laurie Nash1937.jpg|thumb|Captain [[Laurie Nash]] marks on 26 June 1937]]
It was during this period that the team became known as the Swans. The nickname, which was suggested by a ''[[Herald and Weekly Times]]'' artist in 1933, was inspired by the number of Western Australians in the team (the [[black swan]] being the state emblem of Western Australia), and was formally adopted by the club before the following season 1934.<ref name="J. M. Rohan 7">{{cite news|newspaper=The Sporting Globe|date=24 January 1934|location=Melbourne|title=Real story behind South Melbourne's football premiership|page=7|author=J. M. Rohan}}</ref> The name stuck, in part due to the club's association with nearby [[Albert Park and Lake]], also known for its [[swan]]s (although there are no longer any non-native white swans and only black, indigenous swans in the lake).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/1930-1960|title=Timeline: A second wave of success (1930–1960)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>

After several years with only limited success, South Melbourne next reached the grand final in 1945. The match, played against Carlton, was to become known colloquially as "[[1945 VFL Grand Final|the Bloodbath]]", due to the player brawl that overshadowed the match, with a total of 9 players being reported by the umpires. Carlton won the match by 28 points, and from then on, South Melbourne struggled for many years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/1930-1960|title=Timeline: A second wave of success (1930–1960)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>

===Struggling times: 1946–1981===
Following the end of the second world war, South Melbourne consistently struggled, as their traditional inner-city recruiting district largely emptied as a result of demographic shifts. The club missed the finals in 1946 and continued to fall such that by 1950 they were second-last on the ladder. They narrowly missed the finals in 1952, but from 1953 to 1969, they never finished any higher than eighth on the ladder. By the 1960s it was clear that South Melbourne's financial resources would not be capable of allowing them to compete in the growing market for country and interstate players, and their own local zone was never strong enough to compensate for this. The introduction of country [[zoning (Australian rules football)|zoning]] failed to help, as the [[Riverina Football League]] proved to be one of the least profitable zones.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/1930-1960|title=Timeline: A second wave of success (1930–1960)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/1960-1984|title=Timeline: Tough times see the Swans fly north (1960–1984)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>

[[File:South Melbourne Football team from the Record 23 June 1951 Pg 3.png|thumb|1951 VFL team]]
Between 1945 and 1981, South Melbourne made the finals only twice: under legendary coach [[Norm Smith]], South Melbourne finished fourth in 1970, but lost the first semi-final; and, in 1977, the club finished fifth under coach Ian Stewart, but lost the elimination final. In that time, they "won" three [[Wooden spoon (award)|wooden spoons]]. Between Round 7, 1972 and Round 13, 1973, the team lost 29 consecutive games. By the end of the 1970s, South Melbourne were saddled with massive debts after struggling for such a long period of time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/1930-1960|title=Timeline: A second wave of success (1930–1960)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/1960-1984|title=Timeline: Tough times see the Swans fly north (1960–1984)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>

===A VFL club for Sydney===
[[File:Performance Chart AFL SYD.svg|thumb|Chart of yearly ladder positions for Sydney in [[Australian Football League|VFL/AFL]]]]
{{see also|Australian rules football in New South Wales#History}}
The VFL had been actively seeking an audience in Sydney since its first exhibition match in 1903 drew 20,000 people.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article9805380 |title=FOOTBALL IN SYDNEY. |newspaper=[[The Argus (Melbourne)]] |issue=17,742 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=25 May 1903 |access-date=24 November 2021 |page=6 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> For more than three quarters of a century, it had strategically scheduled matches in Sydney and through the [[Australian National Football Council]] – had allocated a significant share of its marketing budget to developing the code in Sydney, showcasing interstate tournaments and encouraging its clubs to play against the state representative side. At one point, it even attempted to negotiate a [[universal football|hybrid code with rugby league]]. However interest in the code in Sydney remained the poorest in the country (where it was behind three other football codes). In the late 1970s, however, with increasing professionalism of the sport there was an overall increase in national interest in the VFL competition.{{Citation needed|date=July 2024}}

In 1976, Melbourne journalist [[Jim Main]] began to break a story that a leading Melbourne businessman who had relocated to Sydney, Mannie Bongornio, had been meeting with [[Allen Aylett]] about luring a VFL club to Sydney. The idea began to gain traction and in 1977, [[Ron Barassi]] proposed the VFL setting up a club in Sydney, which he offered to coach believing that it would help spread the code in the state.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110884194 |title=Call to include Sydney in VFL |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=52 |issue=14,965 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=23 December 1977 |accessdate=12 May 2023 |page=12 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> Upon becoming league president, Aylett had the league investigated playing Sunday matches at the SCG.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110894246 |title=VFL to approach SGG |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=52 |issue=15,571 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=27 April 1978 |accessdate=12 May 2023 |page=1 (SPORTS SECTION) |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> The VFL scheduled 2 premiership matches for the [[Sydney Cricket Ground]] in 1979. One of them, between the [[1978 VFL Grand Final|previous year's grand finalists]] North Melbourne and Hawthorn drew a record 31,395 to the gates. In 1979 the financially struggling [[Fitzroy Lions]] conducted a feasibility into the possibility of moving to North Sydney and a proposal was put forward, but was voted down by its board in 1980.<ref name="Jim Main 2006">Jim Main, Shake Down The Thunder, Geoff Slattery Publishing, 2006, {{ISBN|0-9757964-6-1}}</ref> To test the market further, the VFL scheduled 4 matches for the SCG in 1980 with an average attendance of 19,000. In April 1980, the VFL stated that its market study showed there was sufficient support for a Sydney team, finding that there was an increase in television ratings in Sydney and sustained attendance at matches and that it intended to have a team in Sydney, possibly as soon as 1982.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110591820 |title=SYDNEY-BASED TEAM ULTIMATE AIM OF V.F.L. |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=54 |issue=16,278 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=20 April 1980 |access-date=24 November 2021 |page=26 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> A 1981 report by [[Graham Huggins]] concluded that there was an "untapped market in Sydney which represented an excellent opportunity for the league."<ref name="higgins_report">{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article125641831 |title=AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL Clubs will decide on fate of Sydney VFL team |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=55 |issue=16,701 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=18 June 1981 |accessdate=2 May 2022 |page=28 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> The report claimed that 60,000 people in Sydney had stated that they would regularly support the new club and 90% of these supporters would watch VFL on television from Sydney and 80% of these supporters had not attended rugby and 92% believed that Australian rules could become popular in Sydney.<ref>[https://www.nswfootballhistory.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/1980-VFL-Move-to-Sydney.pdf 1980 VFL Move to Sydney] from NSW Football History</ref>

In 1981 the VFL had decided that it would establish an entirely new 13th VFL club in Sydney along with a possible 14th team.<ref name="higgins_report"/> The VFL was under strong pressure from interests in [[Adelaide]] to admit a South Australian club and from the ACT for a new [[Canberra]] license, however VFL president [[Allan Aylett]] was convinced that Sydney was the most viable option.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article126866835 |title=AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL South's truce uneasy |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=56 |issue=16,886 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=20 December 1981 |accessdate=2 May 2022 |page=17 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> By 1981, Canberra's [[ACTAFL]] had edged out rugby league in popularity with an increase in participation it had become the number one sport.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122092603 |title=Swans might be Canberra's lever into AFL |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=64 |issue=19,730 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=15 October 1989 |access-date=9 December 2021 |page=14 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> Under significant pressure from a rugby league junior development push and fearing the impact on its strong local competition of entry of a Sydney team made a formal bid for licence to enter a Canberra team into the VFL. With corporate backing<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110957597 |title=More sponsorship for Australian rules |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=54 |issue=16,303 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=15 May 1980 |access-date=9 December 2021 |page=22 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> and strong public support including local legend [[Alex Jesaulenko]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article131857891 |title=Jesaulenko confident of playing |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=52 |issue=15,602 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=10 June 1978 |access-date=9 December 2021 |page=46 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> the Canberra bid was confident it would be a successful expansion club.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article127058242 |title=Weaknesses exposed in VFL transfer plan |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=55 |issue=16,746 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=2 August 1981 |access-date=9 December 2021 |page=6 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> Aylett however, determined to pursue the entry of a Sydney team, dismissed the Canberra bid publishing a scathing report on the development of football in the ACT, stating that the VFL might consider Canberra for a licence in another 10 years. Aylett's view was that Sydney offered a much bigger television audience and the most potential to add to the league's lucrative television rights.{{Citation needed|date=July 2024}} The league had also estimated that the club could initially draw support from an estimated 300,000 ex-Victorians living in and around Sydney.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122471004 |title=AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL Swans decision expected soon |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=59 |issue=18,085 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=4 April 1985 |accessdate=9 September 2024 |page=20 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>

With the possibility of another club making Sydney a viable move, in 1981, the South Melbourne board, recognising the structural difficulties it faced with long-term viability and financial stability in Melbourne, decided not to miss what it saw as a strategic opportunity to capture an untapped market and save its club. The board made the decision to play all 1982 home games in Sydney. The club had been operating at a loss of at least $150,000 for the previous five years. News of the proposal broke on 2 July 1981, after which a letter was sent to members justifying the board's reasons for making the proposal and noting that the coach and current players were in favour of the move.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/2019-07-02/on-this-day-swans-move-to-sydney|title=On This Day: Swans move to Sydney|website=sydneyswans.com.au|date=2 July 2019 |access-date=2019-07-03}}</ref> On 29 July 1981, the VFL formally accepted the proposal, and paved the way for the Swans to shift to Sydney in 1982.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/1960-1984|title=Timeline: Tough times see the Swans fly north (1960–1984)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>

Inevitably, the move caused very great internal difficulties as a large supporters' group known as Keep South at South campaigned against the move throughout the rest of 1981; and, at an [[extraordinary general meeting]] on 22 September, the group democratically won control of the club's board. However, the new board did not have the power to unilaterally stop the move to Sydney: under the VFL constitution, to rescind the decision that had been made on 29 July required a three-quarters majority in a vote  of all twelve clubs, and at a meeting on 14 October it failed to obtain this majority.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Age|location=Melbourne|title=VFL 'no' sends South to Sydney|author=Mike Coward|date=15 October 1981|page=32}}</ref> The new board, whilst representative of most fans, lacked the support of the players, many of whom were in favour of a long-term move to Sydney; in early November, after the board promised that it would try to bring the club back to Melbourne in 1983, the players went on strike, seeking to force the new board to commit to Sydney in the long term as well as seeking payments that the cash-strapped club owed them from the previous season.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Age|location=Melbourne|page=40|author=Geoff Slattery|date=7 November 1981|title=South Players on strike}}</ref> The board ended up undermining its own position when it accepted a $400,000 loan from the VFL in late November in order to stay solvent, under the condition that it commit to Sydney for at least two years. Finally, in early December, the Keep South at South board resigned and a board in favour of the move to Sydney was installed.{{CN|date=April 2025}}

===Swans move to Sydney: 1982–1984===
In 1982, the club was still technically a Melbourne-based club which played all of its home games at the [[Sydney Cricket Ground]].<ref name="Officially">{{cite news|newspaper=The Sun News-Pictorial|location=Melbourne|first=Peter|last=Simunovich|title=The Swans – officially|date=3 June 1982|page=67}}</ref> Its physical "home club" was the "Southern Cross Social Club" at 120a Clovelly Road, Randwick<ref name="History">{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/1960-1984|title=Timeline: Tough times see the Swans fly north (1960–1984)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref> In response to the move, the club's sponsors, [[Alan Bond|Bond Corporation]] pulled out and the club was left without a major backer.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article126870826 |title=VFL needs business infusion to Canberra |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=56 |issue=16,906 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=10 January 1982 |accessdate=16 September 2022 |page=18 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> At a major launch in Sydney, Aylett vindicated the league's decision, announcing it had signed a new sponsor, Ward Transport, and that on-field success for the Swans would soon follow.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article126881051 |title=AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL VFL confident of Sydney success |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=56 |issue=16,952 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=25 February 1982 |accessdate=16 September 2022 |page=42 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> The Swans experienced success in the 1982 Escort Championships with 1,000 supporters packing out the Chevron Hotel ballroom in King Cross in response to the win, however Channel Seven did not broadcast the match in Sydney.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article126885283 |title=AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL Swans' song of victory |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=56 |issue=17,098 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=21 July 1982 |accessdate=16 September 2022 |page=1 (SPORTS SECTION) |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> 

{| style="margin-right:4px; margin-top:8px; float:right; border:1px No. 000 solid; border-radius:8px; background:#fff; font-family:Verdana; font-size:8pt; text-align:center;"
|-
| width=200 | ''[[1982 Escort Championships|1982 Escort Championships Final]]'' || ''G'' || ''B'' || ''Total''
|-
| style="text-align:left" |  {{AFL Swa}}|| '''13''' ||'''12''' ||'''90'''
|-
| style="text-align:left" |  {{AFL NM}} || 8 || 10 || 58
|-
| Venue: [[Waverley Park]]
| colspan=3 | Crowd: 20,028
|}

The club won their first official Sydney home game against Melbourne in front of 15,764.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article126913492 |title=The Swans go 'home' |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=56 |issue=16,986 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=31 March 1982 |accessdate=16 September 2022 |page=38 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>

In June 1982, it dropped the name "South Melbourne", officially becoming "the Swans" for the rest of the season.<ref name="Officially" /> The name change, however, did not endear either the Sydney media or the Sydney public, and after successive games at home, began to draw as few as 10,000. Despite just missing the finals, and some good wins at home and respectable home crowds against league leaders Carlton and Richmond, the lack of success and cold reception in Sydney led to the lustre quickly leaving the league's glamour team.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article126897801 |title=AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL Tigers, Blues set for thriller |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=56 |issue=17,039 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=23 May 1982 |access-date=16 September 2022 |page=28 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> It was officially renamed the "Sydney Swans" in 1983.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/nsw/all-our-cygnets-are-in-a-row-for-diehard-swans-fans-the-bloods-run-deep-20220922-p5bka2.html |title='All our cygnets are in a row': For diehard Swans fans, the Bloods run deep |work=The Age |date=24 September 2022 |access-date=5 October 2024}}</ref>

In 1983 average crowds in Sydney continued to plummet to 12,000 and Swans supporter packages dropped to as low as 100 members (well short of the 20,000 average crowds predicted by the VFL's 1980 Hennessy Report).<ref name="Timeline">[https://www.footyindustry.com/?page_id=1469 Towards a National Competition – Timeline of VFL/AFL Expansion] from Sport Industry AU</ref> Television ratings and sponsorship revenue in Sydney were also far below the league's expectations.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article116377815 |title=Australian Football: Will the VFL's card house come tumbling down? |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=57 |issue=17,358 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=8 April 1983 |accessdate=27 May 2022 |page=22 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref name="Crisis">{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article259491101 |title=The Football Crisis and Corporate Sponsorship |newspaper=[[Tribune (Australian newspaper)|Tribune]] |issue=2339 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=25 July 1984 |access-date=27 May 2022 |page=17 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>

Operating at a loss well short of the VFL's predicted $750,000 a year profit<ref name="Timeline" /> poor financial performance continued to drown the club in 1984, with the club flagging pay cuts to its players in order to survive.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122532554 |title=Internal strife ruffles Swans |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=59 |issue=17,965 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=5 December 1984 |accessdate=3 August 2022 |page=1 (SPORTS SECTION) |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> Coach Ricky Quade resigned and caretaker coach Bob Hammond, despite showing some promise, was unable to turn the club's poor performance around.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article127212343 |title=AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL New Swans coach faces problems |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=58 |issue=17,812 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=5 July 1984 |accessdate=3 August 2022 |page=24 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> In order to keep the club solvent during this time, the VFL began to write loans to the Swans that the club would have been unable to pay off on its own.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article127002461 |title=AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL Answer sought for VFL woes |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=58 |issue=17,791 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=14 June 1984 |accessdate=3 August 2022 |page=28 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> The Swans were the league's most reliant on sponsorship and subsidies from the VFL to stay solvent and meet player payments due to its continued poor crowds, public apathy and poor TV ratings.<ref name="Crisis" />

Public support for the Swans in Sydney was so bad that by the start of the 1985 season, the VFL began to backflip and the league's administrators, having sunk large amounts of money into the club began looking to offload it.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122480474 |title=AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL Swans face more drama |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=59 |issue=18,018 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=27 January 1985 |access-date=10 December 2021 |page=5 (SPORT) |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/1984-1989|title=Timeline: Privatisation (1985–1989)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>

=== Edelsten era and privatisation: 1985–1987 ===
On 31 July 1985, for what was thought to be [[Australian dollar|$]]6.3&nbsp;million, [[Geoffrey Edelsten]] "bought" the Swans; in reality it was $2.9&nbsp;million in cash with funding and other payments spread over five years. Edelsten resigned as chairman in less than twelve months, but had already made his mark. He immediately recruited former Geelong coach [[Tom Hafey]]. Hafey, in turn, used his knowledge of Geelong's contracts to recruit [[David Bolton (Australian footballer)|David Bolton]], [[Bernard Toohey]] and [[Greg Williams (Australian footballer)|Greg Williams]], who would all form a key part of the Sydney side, at a league-determined total fee of $240,000 (less than the $500,000 Geelong demanded and even the $300,000 Sydney offered).<ref>Williams, Greg: ''Diesel: The Greg Williams Story'', page 91. Pan MacMillan Australia, 1995</ref> The likes of [[Gerard Healy]], [[Merv Neagle]] and [[Paul Morwood]] were also poached from other clubs, and failed approaches were made to [[Simon Madden]], [[Terry Daniher]], [[Andrew Bews]] and [[Maurice Rioli]].<ref>Williams, Greg: ''Diesel: The Greg Williams Story'', p. 93. Pan MacMillan Australia, 1995</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/1984-1989|title=Timeline: Privatisation (1985–1989)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>

During the Edelsten years, the Swans were seen by the Sydney public as a flamboyant, flashy club, typified by the style of its spearhead, [[Warwick Capper]], his long bright blond [[mullet (hairstyle)|mullet]] and bright pink boots made him unmissable on the field and his pink Lamborghini, penchant for girlfriends who were fashion models and his general showy eccentricity made him notorious off the field – all somewhat [[1980s in fashion|fashionable in the 1980s]]. During Capper's peak years, the Swans had made successive finals appearances for the first time since relocating. His consistently spectacular aerial exploits earned him the [[Mark of the Year]] award in 1987 while his goalkicking efforts (amassing 103 goals in 1987) made him runner up in the Coleman Medal two years running. The Swans' successive finals appearances saw crowds during this time peak at an average of around 25,000 per game. Edelsten also introduced the "Swanettes", becoming the sole such American-style cheerleading group among VFL teams following the disbandment of Carlton's Blue Birds in 1986. The Swanettes did not get much performance time, owing to the short intervals between quarters of play in the VFL and the lack of space in which they might perform while other activities take place on the field. The Swanettes were rapidly discontinued.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/1984-1989|title=Timeline: Privatisation (1985–1989)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref> During the Edelsten era, the club's owner and the private company Westec are reported to have sunk more than $10 million in additional private capital to keep the club afloat.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article126948764 |title=ACT hovers over Swans' deathbed |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=67 |issue=21,002 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=13 October 1992 |accessdate=7 September 2022 |page=20 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>

When the Southern Cross club went bankrupt in 1987, the club relocated to the newly built [[Sydney Football Stadium (1988)|Sydney Football Stadium]].<ref name="History" />

In 1987, the Swans scored 201 points against the [[West Coast Eagles]] and the following week scored 236 points against the [[Essendon Football Club]]. Both games were at the SCG. The Swans remain one of only two clubs to have scored consecutive team tallies above 200 points, the only other being Geelong in 1992.<ref>[[1992 AFL season]]</ref> However, this was followed by several heavy losses, including defeat by Hawthorn by 99 points in the Qualifying Final and by 76 points against Melbourne in the First Semi-final.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/1984-1989|title=Timeline: Privatisation (1985–1989)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>

===Dark times: 1988–1994===
The club's form was to slump in the following year. Losses were in the millions. It was obvious to most that the Swans were struggling financially, though the owners, Sydney Rules Pty Ltd a subsidiary of Powerplay International Ltd were not selling.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122417941 |title=Beitzel questions Powerplay |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=62 |issue=19,073 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=24 December 1987 |access-date=24 November 2021 |page=16 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> In early 1988 the company advised the [[Australian Securities Exchange]] to cease trading its shares as it could not continue to trade until it had offloaded the Swans.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article101973489 |title=Powerplay's new moves to avoid Swans' dive |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=62 |issue=19,111 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=1 February 1988 |access-date=24 November 2021 |page=13 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> A Canberra consortium including the [[ACTAFL]] initially proposed to buy the failed club and shift it to Canberra, however the VFL claimed this was too extreme a move. The league compromised and along with Aylett, who had denied Canberra a licence in 1981, proposed that the Swans play away games in the ACT<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122414621 |title=TIMES Sport Canberra gets Swans: Bidder |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=62 |issue=19,057 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=8 December 1987 |access-date=10 December 2021 |page=22 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> with a dual aim of giving the club a sustainable supporter base and helping resurrect the code in the ACT which had lost enormous ground to rugby league since the introduction of the Canberra Raiders. However the VFL blocked the move feeling that the club would lose its identity if it were to play matches in Canberra.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122413868 |title=The Swans, Canberra and '88... |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=62 |issue=19,053 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=4 December 1987 |access-date=24 November 2021 |page=28 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/1984-1989|title=Timeline: Privatisation (1985–1989)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>

By mid year the VFL had revoked the Swans licence and took over ownership of the club,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article111971223 |title=TIMES Sport VFL takes control of Sydney Swans |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=62 |issue=19,206 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=7 May 1988 |access-date=24 November 2021 |page=64 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> after an investigation under VFL CEO [[Ross Oakley]] determined that it was unable to continue operating.<ref name="New era">{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article102037546 |title=A new era for Swans |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=63 |issue=19,426 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=13 December 1988 |accessdate=24 July 2023 |page=24 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> However, there were no buyers. On 6 May 1988 the VFL paid Powerplay just $10 to transfer ownership of the club in an attempt to keep it afloat until a buyer could be found.<ref>[https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/688951/on-this-day-powerplay-sells-swans-for-10 On This Day: Powerplay sells Swans for $10] May 6, 2020</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article111971223 |title=TIMES Sport VFL takes control of Sydney Swans |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=62 |issue=19,206 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=7 May 1988 |access-date=10 December 2021 |page=64 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> The VFL would wait months for the club to regain financial security. The VFL had reported that it needed to find a buyer willing to pay at least $4 million in order to make the club financially viable in the medium to long term. In the meantime, the league had secured a sponsor which helped underwrite the club until the sale.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122486104 |title=AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL $250,000 boost for Swans |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=59 |issue=18,048 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=26 February 1985 |access-date=10 December 2021 |page=22 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/1984-1989|title=Timeline: Privatisation (1985–1989)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>

At the end of 1988 the VFL re-tendered the Swans licence and a group of financial backers including [[Mike Willesee]], Basil Sellers, Peter Weinert and Craig Kimberley, purchased the licence and bankrolled the club.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article102037546 |title=A new era for Swans |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=63 |issue=19,426 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=13 December 1988 |access-date=24 November 2021 |page=24 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/1984-1989|title=Timeline: Privatisation (1985–1989)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>

Morale at the side plummeted as players were asked to take pay cuts.<ref>[[Jim Main]], ''Aussie rules for dummies'' (2nd edition, 2008), p.128</ref> Coach [[Tom Hafey]] was sacked by the club in 1988 after a player-led rebellion at his tough training methods (unusual in the semi-professional days of that era).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/1984-1989|title=Timeline: Privatisation (1985–1989)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref> The Willesee consortia appointed Col Kinnear as the new coach.<ref name="New era" />

Capper was sold to the Brisbane Bears for AUD$400,000 in a desperate attempt to improve the club's finances. Instead, it only led to disastrous on-field performances. Instead of a 100-goal-a-season forward, Sydney's goalkicking was led by [[Bernard Toohey]] (usually a defender) with 29 in 1989, then Jim West with 34 in 1990. Players left the club in droves, including Brownlow Medalist [[Greg Williams (Australian footballer)|Greg Williams]], [[Bernard Toohey]] and [[Barry Mitchell (footballer)|Barry Mitchell]]. The careers of stars such as [[Dennis Carroll]], [[David Bolton (Australian footballer)|David Bolton]], [[Ian Roberts (Australian footballer)|Ian Roberts]], [[Tony Morwood]] and [[David Murphy (Australian rules footballer)|David Murphy]] wound down,<ref>Cowley, Michael (19 October 2009) [http://www.smh.com.au/afl/afl-news/gen-next-must-fly-for-swans-as-wily-old-birds-go-20091124-j2aa.html Gen Next must fly for Swans as wily old birds go]</ref> while promising young players like [[Jamie Lawson (Australian footballer)|Jamie Lawson]], [[Robert Teal]] and [[Paul Bryce]] had their careers cut short by injury.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/1984-1989|title=Timeline: Privatisation (1985–1989)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/1990-1995|title=Timeline: Survival (1990–1995)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>

Attendances consistently dropped below 10,000 when the team performed poorly between 1990 and 1994. Kinnear in 1990 urged his players rally to support the club's loyal fans and stem their mass exodus<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122299166 |title=Swans owe their fans says coach |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=64 |issue=20,189 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=22 July 1990 |accessdate=24 July 2023 |page=11 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> however he was ultimately stood down in August 1991.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118162400 |title=AUSSIE RULES Changes but the Hawks keep up tradition |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=66 |issue=20,720 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=5 January 1992 |accessdate=24 July 2023 |page=9 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> The nadir came with three consecutive wooden spoons in 1992, 1993 and 1994.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/1990-1995|title=Timeline: Survival (1990–1995)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>

In October 1992, members from the 15 AFL clubs voted on axing the struggling Swans.<ref name="Swans deathbed">{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article126948764 |title=ACT hovers over Swans' deathbed |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=67 |issue=21,002 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=13 October 1992 |accessdate=10 July 2022 |page=20 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> To fill the void left by the Swans, the league floated a radical proposal for Carlton or Collingwood to play all of their away games in Sydney, however it was felt that even the leagues most popular clubs wouldn't be able to draw a sufficient audience in Sydney to cover for the loss of the Swans.<ref name="Swans deathbed" /> The AFL extended an offer for a Tasmanian licence which was declined,<ref name="Swans deathbed" />  and received an offer from the ACTAFL to relocate the club to Canberra, however the AFL rejected this.<ref name="Swans deathbed" /> There were also strong rumours that the AFL intended to merge the club with the [[Brisbane Bears]] to form a combined New South Wales/Queensland team, fold altogether, or even move back to South Melbourne.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Google Scholar|url=https://scholar.google.com/|website=scholar.google.com|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> Without adequate alternatives the AFL Commission instead decided to step in and save the club, offering substantial monetary and management support, with the 15 clubs asked to cover the club's AUD$1.2 million annual expenses including licence fee and hire of the SCG.<ref name="Swans deathbed" /> With draft and salary cap concessions in the early 1990s and a series of notable recruits, the team became competitive after the early part of the decade.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/1990-1995|title=Timeline: Survival (1990–1995)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>
[[File:Paul_Kelly_(the_footballer)_(7176553482).jpg|thumb|Statue of Paul Kelly at the SCG. Kelly, a New South Welshman, known as "captain courageous" he was one of Sydney's longest serving skippers captaining the side between 1993 and 2002.]]
During this time, the side was largely held together by two inspirational skippers, both from the [[Wagga Wagga]] region of country New South Wales, [[Dennis Carroll]] and later the courageous captain [[Paul Kelly (Australian rules footballer)|Paul Kelly]]. However coach Gary Buckenara was sacked after 18 straight losses, managing to register just 2 wins and a draw during his term.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article126983520 |title=Buckenara: I needed more time |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=67 |issue=21,190 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=21 April 1993 |accessdate=24 July 2023 |page=48 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
 
Desperate to hang on, the club was keen to enlist the biggest names and identities in the AFL, and recruited [[Ron Barassi]] as coach<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article126986568 |title=Barassi takes reins |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=67 |issue=21,203 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=4 May 1993 |accessdate=24 July 2023 |page=28 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> who helped save the club from extinction while serving them as coach from Round 7, 1993 to 1995. At roughly the same time, [[Dermott Brereton]] was also recruited from Hawthorn on a three-year contract becoming one of the swans highest paid players,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article127527105 |title=Brereton enlists with the Swans |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=68 |issue=21,410 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=27 November 1993 |accessdate=24 July 2023 |page=14 (Saturday MAGAZINE) |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> and was considered to replace Paul Kelly as club captain.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134300496 |title=Swans captain named |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=68 |issue=21,482 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=8 February 1994 |accessdate=24 July 2023 |page=18 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> However Brereton's time in Sydney was marred by multiple tribunal appearances including 6 and 7 week bans<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article101987278 |title=Brereton out for 6 matches |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=62 |issue=19,237 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=7 June 1988 |accessdate=24 July 2023 |page=21 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118140806 |title=UPSETS and TRIUMPHS |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=70 |issue=21,715 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=29 September 1994 |accessdate=24 July 2023 |page=22 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> and while he starred in some upset wins<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118213211 |title=Sport |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=69 |issue=21,585 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=22 May 1994 |accessdate=24 July 2023 |page=14 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118259780 |title=Spiteful match sees Brereton before AFL tribunal |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=69 |issue=21,656 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=1 August 1994 |accessdate=24 July 2023 |page=22 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> he spent more time off the field than on it; resulting in Barassi labelling the experiment as a disappointment, and not offering a contract extension.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118136092 |title=AFL plan forces Swans to slash player numbers |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=70 |issue=21,692 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=6 September 1994 |accessdate=24 July 2023 |page=25 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>

===Tony Lockett and grand final return: 1995–2001===
A big coup for the club was recruitment of [[St Kilda Football Club]] champion [[Tony Lockett|Tony "Plugger" Lockett]] in 1995. Lockett became a cult figure in Sydney, with an instant impact and along with the [[Super League war]] in the dominant rival [[rugby league]] football code in Australia, helped the Swans to become a powerhouse Sydney icon.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/1996-2005|title=Timeline: Barassi and Eade deliver hope (1996–2005)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>

1995 would be Barassi's last year in charge. The Swans won eight games – as many as they did in the previous three seasons combined – and finished with a percentage of over 100. They were also one of only two teams to defeat the all-conquering Carlton side of that year. Captain Paul Kelly won the League's highest individual honour, the [[Brownlow Medal]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/1990-1995|title=Timeline: Survival (1990–1995)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref> Barassi left an improving team, a club in a much better state than he found them.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/1996-2005|title=Timeline: Barassi and Eade deliver hope (1996–2005)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>
{| style="margin-right:4px; margin-top:8px; float:right; border:1px No. 000 solid; border-radius:8px; background:#fff; font-family:Verdana; font-size:8pt; text-align:center;"
|-
| width=200 | ''[[1996 AFL season|1996 AFL Home & Away Season]]'' || ''W'' || ''L'' || ''D'' ||''Total'' || ''%''
|-
| style="text-align:left" |  '''Sydney Swans''' || '''16''' || '''5''' || '''1''' || '''66''' || '''123.9'''
|-
|
| colspan=9 | ''Minor Premiers''
|}

Former Hawthorn player Rodney Eade took over the reins in 1996 and after a slow start (they lost their first two games of the season), turned the club around into powerful force. The Swans ended the minor round on top of the premiership table with 16 wins, 5 losses and 1 draw. In the finals, the Swans won one of the most thrilling AFL preliminary finals in history after Plugger Lockett kicked a behind after the siren to win the game. The Swans lost the grand final to {{AFL NM}}, which had been their first appearance in a grand final since 1945. The game was played in front of 93,102 at the [[MCG]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/1996-2005|title=Timeline: Barassi and Eade deliver hope (1996–2005)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>

The Swans then made the finals for four of the next five full years that Rodney Eade was in charge. In 1998 they finished 3rd on the AFL ladder; despite beating {{AFL StK}} in their first final the Swans were then beaten by eventual premiers {{AFL Ade}} in the semi-final at the [[Sydney Cricket Ground|SCG]].

The 1999 season was a largely uneventful year for the club, the only real highlight being [[Tony Lockett]] kicking his record-breaking 1300th goal against {{AFL Col}} in Round 10. The 1999 season ended with a 69-point mauling at the hands of minor premiers {{AFL Ess}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/1996-2005|title=Timeline: Barassi and Eade deliver hope (1996–2005)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>

After missing the finals in [[2000 AFL season|2000]], the Swans rebounded to finish 7th in [[2001 AFL season|2001]], but were beaten by {{AFL Haw}} by 55 points in their elimination final at [[Colonial Stadium]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/1996-2005|title=Timeline: Barassi and Eade deliver hope (1996–2005)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>

===Rebuilding and finals return: 2002–2004===
Former Swans favourite son [[Paul Roos (footballer)|Paul Roos]] was appointed caretaker coach midway through the 2002 season, replacing Rodney Eade who was removed after Round 12. Roos won six of the remaining 10 games that year (including the last four of the season) and was installed as the permanent coach from the 2003 season onwards, despite rumours that Sydney had nearly concluded a deal with [[Terry Wallace]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/1996-2005|title=Timeline: Barassi and Eade deliver hope (1996–2005)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>

Roos continued a record as a successful coach with the Swans for the eight full seasons that would follow.

A new home ground at [[Stadium Australia]] provided increased capacity over the SCG. The Swans' first game played at the stadium in Round 9, 2002 against {{AFL Ess}} attracted 54,169 spectators. The Sydney Swans v [[Collingwood Football Club|Collingwood]] match on 23 August 2003 set an attendance record for the largest crowd to watch an AFL game outside of Victoria with an official attendance of 72,393 and was the largest home and away AFL crowd at any stadium for 2003. A preliminary final against the [[Brisbane Lions]] in 2003 attracted 71,019 people. The Swans lost all three of those significant matches.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/1996-2005|title=Timeline: Barassi and Eade deliver hope (1996–2005)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>

2004 saw an average year for Sydney, however one highlight was when they ended {{AFL StK}}'s undefeated start to the season in Round 11. The match was notable for [[Leo Barry]]'s effort in nullifying the impact of St Kilda full-forward and eventual [[Coleman Medal]]list [[Fraser Gehrig]], whom Barry restricted to only two possessions for the entire match.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/1996-2005|title=Timeline: Barassi and Eade deliver hope (1996–2005)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>

Sydney was able to recruit another St Kilda export in the Lockett mould, [[Barry Hall]]. There were obvious parallels to the signing of Lockett (a powerful, tough forward from St Kilda with questions over his discipline and attitude), which left Hall with much to live up to. He flourished in his new surroundings and eventually became a cult figure and club leader in his own right.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/1996-2005|title=Timeline: Barassi and Eade deliver hope (1996–2005)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>

As the new century dawned, Sydney implemented a policy of giving up high order draft picks in exchange for players who struggled at other clubs. It was during this era that the Swans picked up the likes of [[Paul Williams (Australian rules footballer)|Paul Williams]], [[Barry Hall]], [[Craig Bolton]], [[Darren Jolly]], [[Ted Richards]], [[Peter Everitt]], [[Martin Mattner]], [[Rhyce Shaw]], [[Shane Mumford]], [[Ben McGlynn]] and [[Mitch Morton]], amongst others, and giving up higher order draft picks meant the Swans missed out on the likes of [[Daniel Motlop]], [[Nick Dal Santo]], [[James Kelly (Australian footballer)|James Kelly]], [[Courtenay Dempsey]] and [[Sam Lonergan]] who went to {{AFL|PA}}, {{AFL StK}}, {{AFL Gee}} and the latter two to {{AFL Ess}} respectively. This policy is said to have paid off in the Roos era, as they implemented a strict culture of discipline at the club.
[[File:Old lake oval grandstand.jpg|thumb|Derelict grandstand at Lake Oval. In 2005, the Swans launched a campaign to prevent its demolition of all that remains of its former home and restore it as a club museum.]]

===Premiership glory: 2005===
{{Main|2005 AFL Grand Final}}

In 2005, the Swans came under enormous public scrutiny, even from AFL CEO [[Andrew Demetriou]], for their unorthodox, "boring" defense-oriented tactics that included tightly controlling the tempo of the game and starving the opposition of possession (in fact, seven teams that season had their lowest possession total while playing against the Swans). Swans coach [[Paul Roos (Australian rules footballer)|Paul Roos]] maintained that playing contested football was the style used by all recent Premiership-winning teams, and felt that it was ironic that the much criticised strategy proved ultimately successful.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/1996-2005|title=Timeline: Barassi and Eade deliver hope (1996–2005)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/2005|title=Timeline: Here it is (2005)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>

{{Quote box |quoted=true |bgcolor=#FFFFF0 |salign=center
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|quote=Nick Davis! Nick Davis! I don't believe it! I see it, but I don't believe it!
|source=[[Anthony Hudson (commentator)|Anthony Hudson's]] TV call of Nick Davis' fourth and match-winning goal in the semi-final against Geelong on [[Network Ten]]<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgYw2qGgQRQ Minutes Before Nick Davis' GOAL v Geelong | 2005 Semi-final &#91;HD&#93;] YouTube (originally broadcast by Network Ten)</ref>
}}
{{Quote box
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| quote = Cox throws it onto the left, one last roll of the dice for the Eagles – Leo Barry, you star!...(Siren in background)...The longest Premiership drought in football history is over! For the first time in 72 years, the Swans are the champions of the AFL!"
| source = [[Stephen Quartermain]]'s TV call of Leo Barry's match- and title-clinching mark on Network Ten<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVqYtJrpi98 Leo Barry – "That Mark" (2005 AFL Finals Series – Grand Final – Sydney Swans vs. West Coast Eagles)] YouTube (originally broadcast by Network Ten)</ref>
}}
After finishing third during the regular season, the Swans lost the second qualifying final against the [[West Coast Eagles]] at [[Subiaco Oval]] on 2 September by 10.5 (65) to 10.9 (69). This dropped them into a semi-final against the [[Geelong Football Club|Geelong Cats]] at the SCG on 9 September, and the Swans trailed the Cats 31–53 before [[Nick Davis (footballer)|Nick Davis]] kicked four consecutive goals, with the last one a matter of seconds before the siren, to win the game for Sydney by 7.14 (56) to 7.11 (53). In the first preliminary final at the MCG on 16 September against [[St Kilda Football Club|St Kilda]], the Swans used a seven-goal blitz in 11 minutes of the fourth quarter to overturn an 8-point deficit and overrun the Saints by 15.6 (96) to 9.11 (65).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/1996-2005|title=Timeline: Barassi and Eade deliver hope (1996–2005)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/2005|title=Timeline: Here it is (2005)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>

The Swans faced the Eagles in a rematch in the [[AFL Grand Final]] on 24 September 2005, and this time, they prevailed by four points, final score 8.10 (58) to West Coast's 7.12 (54). In the last few minutes, the Sydney defence held strong, with [[Leo Barry]] marking the ball just before the siren to stop the Eagles' final desperate shot at goal. The Premiership was the Swans' first in 72 years and their first since being based in Sydney.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/1996-2005|title=Timeline: Barassi and Eade deliver hope (1996–2005)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/2005|title=Timeline: Here it is (2005)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>

{| style="margin-right:4px; margin-top:8px; float:right; border:1px No. 000 solid; border-radius:8px; background:#fff; font-family:Verdana; font-size:8pt; text-align:center;"
|-
| width=200 | ''[[2005 AFL Grand Final]]'' || ''G'' || ''B'' || ''Total''
|-
| style="text-align:left" |  '''Sydney Swans''' || '''8''' || '''10''' || '''58'''
|-
| style="text-align:left" | [[West Coast Eagles]] || 7  || 12 || 54
|-
| Venue: [[Melbourne Cricket Ground]]
| colspan=3 | Crowd: 91,898
|}

On 30 September 2005, a [[ticker tape parade]] down Sydney's [[George Street, Sydney|George Street]] was held in honour of the Swans' achievements, which ended with a rally at [[Sydney Town Hall]], where [[Lord Mayor of Sydney|Lord Mayor]] [[Clover Moore]] presented the team with the key to the city. The flag of the Swans also flew on top of the [[Sydney Harbour Bridge]] during the week; the same flag was later given to [[Premier of Western Australia]] [[Geoff Gallop]] to fly on top of the state legislature in Perth as part of the friendly wager between Gallop and [[Premier of New South Wales]] [[Morris Iemma]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/1996-2005|title=Timeline: Barassi and Eade deliver hope (1996–2005)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/2005|title=Timeline: Here it is (2005)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>

Off the field the Grand Final success instigated moves to make the club sustainable in the long term and capitalise on the success to grow the code in the state. The Greater Sydney Australian Football Foundation Limited was formed, which would later become the Sydney Swans Foundation aimed initially at raising $5 million in funds to develop the Swans and the code in New South Wales.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article263320056 |title=SWANS' VICTORY A BOON FOR IVANY |newspaper=[[The Australian Jewish News]] |volume=112 |issue=1 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=30 September 2005 |access-date=10 December 2021 |page=27 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> The Foundation has raised millions since its inception and helped keep the Swans sustainable in Sydney.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/1996-2005|title=Timeline: Barassi and Eade deliver hope (1996–2005)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/2005|title=Timeline: Here it is (2005)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>

===Grand final loss: 2006===
{{Main|2006 AFL Grand Final}}

As reigning premiers, the Sydney Swans started the 2006 season slowly, losing three of their first four games, including in round one to an {{AFL Ess}} side that would finish near the bottom of the ladder with only three wins and a draw, and finish with the worst defensive record of any side for the season (Sydney, conversely, had the best defensive record of any side).<ref name="BombersvSwans2006">{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2006-04-01/bombers-upset-swans/1721794|title=Bombers upset Swans|newspaper=ABC News|date=1 April 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/2006-2008|title=Timeline: Hungry for more (2006–2008)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>

The 2006 AFL Grand Final was contested between the Sydney Swans and West Coast Eagles at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 30 September 2006. The West Coast Eagles avenged their 2005 Grand Final defeat by beating the Sydney Swans by one point, only the fourth one-point grand final margin in the competition's history.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/2006-2008|title=Timeline: Hungry for more (2006–2008)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>

[[Sydney–West Coast AFL rivalry|The rivalry between the Sydney Swans and West Coast Eagles]] has become one of the great modern rivalries.<ref>{{cite news|last=Forsaith|first=Rob|title=Enduring rivalry one for the birds|url=http://www.smh.com.au/afl/afl-news/enduring-rivalry-one-for-the-birds-20120714-2235s.html|access-date=15 July 2012|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=15 July 2012|agency=Australian Associated Press}}</ref> The six games between the two sides (from the start of the 2005 finals to the first round of 2007 inclusive) were decided by a combined margin of 13 points. Four of those six games were finals and 2 grand finals.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/2006-2008|title=Timeline: Hungry for more (2006–2008)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>

===Finals goal: 2007–2010===
{{Tone|date=August 2010}}
[[File:Brett kirk.jpg|thumb|Brett Kirk, a New South Welshman, captained the side from 2005 to 2010 leading the club to its first premiership in 72 years]]
Sydney finished the 2007 home and away season in 7th place, and advanced to the finals, where they faced and were defeated by {{AFL Col}} by 38 points in the elimination final. It was their earliest exit from the finals since 2001 and was a culmination of a mostly disappointing season, as only victories against lesser teams saw them through to a fifth consecutive finals campaign.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/2006-2008|title=Timeline: Hungry for more (2006–2008)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>

The conclusion of the 2007 trade saw the loss of [[Adam Schneider]] and [[Sean Dempster]] to [[St Kilda Football Club|St Kilda]], the delisting of [[Simon Phillips (footballer)|Simon Phillips]], Jonathan Simpkin and [[Luke Vogels]], and the gain of [[Henry Playfair]] from [[Geelong Football Club|Geelong]] and [[Martin Mattner]] from [[Adelaide Football Club|Adelaide]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/2006-2008|title=Timeline: Hungry for more (2006–2008)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>

The Swans spent the middle part of the 2008 season inside the top four, however a late form slump which yielded only three wins in the last nine rounds saw the Swans drop to sixth at the conclusion of the 2008 regular season. Having qualified for the finals for a sixth consecutive season, the Swans defeated {{AFL NM}} in the elimination final before losing to the [[Western Bulldogs]] the following week.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/2006-2008|title=Timeline: Hungry for more (2006–2008)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>

2009 saw the club register only eight victories as they failed to reach the finals for the first time since 2002, finishing 12th with a percentage of below 100% for the first time since 1994. [[Barry Hall]], [[Leo Barry]], [[Jared Crouch]], [[Michael O'Loughlin]], [[Amon Buchanan]] and [[Darren Jolly]] all departed at the conclusion of the season, with [[Mark Seaby]], [[Daniel Bradshaw]] and [[Shane Mumford]], among others, joining the club during the trade period.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/2009-2010|title=Timeline: Winds of change (2009–2010)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>

The 2010 season saw Sydney return to the finals by virtue of a fifth-place finish at the end of the regular season. The club defeated {{AFL Car}} by five points in the elimination final before losing to the [[Western Bulldogs]] in the semi-finals for the second time in three seasons. The loss signalled the end of the Swans coaching career of [[Paul Roos (Australian rules footballer)|Paul Roos]] as well as that of the playing career of [[Brett Kirk]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/2009-2010|title=Timeline: Winds of change (2009–2010)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>

===John Longmire era: 2011–2024===
{| style="margin-right:4px; margin-top:8px; float:right; border:1px No. 000 solid; border-radius:8px; background:#fff; font-family:Verdana; font-size:8pt; text-align:center;"
|-
| width=200 | ''[[2012 AFL Grand Final]]'' || ''G'' || ''B'' || ''Total''
|-
| style="text-align:left" | '''Sydney Swans''' || '''14''' || '''7''' || '''91'''
|-
| style="text-align:left" | [[Hawthorn Football Club|Hawthorn]] || 11 || 15 || 81
|-
| Venue: [[Melbourne Cricket Ground]]
| colspan=3 | Crowd: 99,683
|-
| width=200 | ''[[2014 AFL Grand Final]]'' || ''G'' || ''B'' || ''Total''
|-
| style="text-align:left" | '''Sydney Swans''' || '''11''' || '''8''' || '''74'''
|-
| style="text-align:left" | [[Hawthorn Football Club|Hawthorn]] || 21 || 11 || 137
|-
| Venue: [[Melbourne Cricket Ground]]
| colspan=3 | Crowd: 99,460
|-
| width=200 | ''[[2016 AFL Grand Final]]'' || ''G'' || ''B'' || ''Total''
|-
| style="text-align:left" | '''Sydney Swans''' || '''10''' || '''7''' || '''67'''
|-
| style="text-align:left" | [[Western Bulldogs]] || 13 || 11 || 89
|-
| Venue: [[Melbourne Cricket Ground]]
| colspan=3 | Crowd: 99,981
|-
|''[[2022 AFL Grand Final]]''
|''G''
|''B''
|''Total''
|-
| style="text-align:left" |Geelong
|20
|13
|133
|-
| style="text-align:left" |'''Sydney Swans'''
|'''8'''
|'''4'''
|'''52'''
|-
|Venue: [[Melbourne Cricket Ground]]
| colspan="3" |Crowd: 100,024
|-
|''[[2024 AFL Grand Final]]''
|''G''
|''B''
|''Total''
|-
| style="text-align:left" |'''Sydney Swans'''
|9
|6
|'''60'''
|-
| style="text-align:left" |Brisbane Lions
|18
|12
|120
|-
|Venue: [[Melbourne Cricket Ground]]
| colspan="3" |Crowd: 100,013
|}
Former {{AFL NM}} premiership-winning forward [[John Longmire]] took over as coach of the Swans as part of a succession plan initiated by Paul Roos in 2009 prior to the beginning of the 2011 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/998876/on-this-day-august-12-2009-swans-succession-plan|title=On this day: August 12, 2009 – Swans succession plan|date=11 August 2021|access-date=1 September 2023}}</ref>
He led the club to a seventh-place finish at the end of the regular season, therefore qualifying for the finals for the 13th time in the past 16 seasons. The Swans defeated {{AFL StK}} in an elimination final at [[Docklands Stadium]] before losing to {{AFL Haw}} in the semi-finals the following week.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/2011|title=Timeline: New beginnings (2011)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>

It was during the regular season that the Swans caused the upset of the season, defeating the star-studded [[Geelong Football Club|Geelong Cats]] on its home ground, [[Kardinia Park (stadium)|Skilled Stadium]], where the home tenant had won its past 29 games in succession, and its past two matches at the ground by a combined margin of 336 points, in Round 23. It was the Swans' first win over the Cats since 2006 and its first win at the ground since Round 8, 1999. The Swans were also the only team to defeat the [[West Coast Eagles]] at [[Subiaco Oval|Patersons Stadium]] during the regular season. The Swans' victory over Geelong was overshadowed by the news that co-captain [[Jarrad McVeigh]]'s baby daughter had died in the week leading up to the match, forcing him to miss that match.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/2011|title=Timeline: New beginnings (2011)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>

====2012: Premiership year, Sydney becomes a two team town====
[[File:Sydney Swans banner.jpg|thumb|right|Sydney Swans players run through the banner before the inaugural Sydney Derby on 24 March 2012.]]
[[File:John_Longmire_2017.2.jpg|thumb|Coach John Longmire, a New South Welshman, led Sydney to a premiership in 2012]]
The 2012 season began for the Swans with the inaugural Sydney Derby against AFL newcomers {{AFL GWS}}. After an even and physical first half, Sydney went on to win by 63 points. Subsequent wins over {{AFL Fre}}, {{AFL|PA}}, {{AFL NM}} and {{AFL Haw}} saw the Swans sit second behind {{AFL WC}} on percentage after Round 5, but the Swans would proceed to lose three of their next four matches before embarking on a nine-match winning streak between Rounds 10 and 19 inclusive. The Swans eventually finished the regular season in third place after losing three of their final four matches, all against their fellow top-four rivals (Collingwood, Hawthorn and Geelong in Rounds 20, 22 and 23 respectively).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/2012-premiership|title=Timeline: Another success story (2012)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>

The Swans defeated {{AFL Ade}} by 29 points in their qualifying final at [[AAMI Stadium]], thus earning a week off and a home preliminary final, where they then defeated {{AFL Col}} by 26 points to qualify for their first grand final since 2006, ending an eleven-match losing streak against the Magpies in the process.
[[File:Adam_Goodes_2012.jpg|thumb|Adam Goodes served as captain between 2009 and 2012 leading the side to a premiership in 2012]]
In the grand final, the Swans defeated Hawthorn [[2012 AFL Grand Final|by ten points]] in front of 99,683 people at the MCG, with [[Nick Malceski]] kicking a snap goal with 34 seconds left to seal the Swans' fifth premiership and first since 2005. Ryan O'Keefe was named the Norm Smith Medallist and the Swans' best player in September.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/2012-premiership|title=Timeline: Another success story (2012)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>
[[File:Sydney Swans warming up 2013.jpg|thumb|The Sydney Swans warm up before a match in 2013.]]
The Swans' [[2013 AFL season|2013 season]] was marred by long-term injuries to many of its key players, namely [[Adam Goodes]], Sam Reid, [[Lewis Jetta]], [[Rhyce Shaw]] and [[Lewis Roberts-Thomson]], among others; despite this setback, the team were still able to reach the finals for the fifteenth time in 18 seasons, reaching the preliminary finals where they were defeated by {{AFL Fre}} at [[Subiaco Oval|Patersons Stadium]], its first loss at the venue since 2009.<ref>[http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-09-21/dockers-smother-swans Dockers smother Swans to reach first Grand Final], AFL.com.au official website, 21 September 2013</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/2013-current|title=Timeline: The quest continues (2013 – current)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>

====2014–2016: Grand final losses====
[[File:Kieren_Jack_2019.11.jpg|thumb|Kieren Jack, born and bred Sydneysider, served as captain between 2013 and 2016]]
[[File:Josh_Kennedy_(Syd)_2017.6.jpg|thumb|Josh Kennedy served as captain between 2017 and 2019]]
[[File:Lance Franklin mark.jpg|thumb|Lance "Buddy" Franklin marking in 2017. Franklin spearheaded the club at full forward between 2014 and 2023, becoming the third highest goalscorer in the club's history.]]
The 2014 AFL season began with some difficulties for the Swans. Sydney lost their first game against {{AFL GWS}} and then to Collingwood before becoming the first non-South Australian team to win at [[Adelaide Oval]] defeating Adelaide by 63 points with Lance Franklin and Luke Parker kicking 4 goals each. After a loss to North Melbourne in Round 4, the Swans' won twelve games in a row, including victories against 2013 grand finalists Fremantle and Hawthorn, Geelong by 110 points at the SCG and then ladder leaders Port Adelaide. In Round 17, the Swans defeated Carlton to match a winning streak set three times in club history, the last of which came way back in 1935,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thenewdaily.com.au/sport/2014/07/12/dozen-unstoppable-sydney-swans/|title=Dozen up for unstoppable Swans – The New Daily|date=12 July 2014}}</ref> and eventually closed out the season with their first minor premiership in 18 years and a club record 17 wins for the season, eclipsing the previous highest of 16, which was achieved on six past occasions in 2012, 1996, 1986, 1945, 1936 and 1935. In 2014 the Swans were minor premiers, and also qualified for the [[2014 AFL Grand Final]]. They defeated [[Fremantle Dockers|Fremantle]] at home in the first qualifying final in Round one of the finals series and so earned a one-week break. In the first preliminary final the Swans had a convincing win against [[North Melbourne Kangaroos|North Melbourne]], which led them to their fourth grand final in 10 years. The [[2014 AFL Grand Final]] was played on Saturday, 27 September 2014, in near perfect weather conditions, with Sydney seen as favourites leading up to the match. This was the first time in a finals series that former Hawk player [[Lance Franklin]] would play against his former team, one of very few players to have played back to back grand finals for two different teams. The Hawks dominated the game quite early and eventually defeated the Swans 11.8.(74) to 21.11.(137). The 63-point loss was Sydney's biggest ever loss in a grand final and their biggest defeat all season, meaning Hawthorn would become back to back premiers for the second time in their history.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/2013-current|title=Timeline: The quest continues (2013 – current)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>

The Swans started the 2015 AFL season well, winning their first three, before losing their next two games against [[Fremantle Football Club|Fremantle]], where they trailed by as many as 8 goals before half-time, and the [[Western Bulldogs]]. They won their next 6 leading into the bye, including home wins against [[Geelong Football Club|Geelong]] and [[North Melbourne Football Club|North Melbourne]], and an upset away win against [[Hawthorn Football Club|Hawthorn]] in the grand final replay. The Swans lost their first game after the bye, their 3rd of the season to [[Richmond Football Club|Richmond]] at the SCG, 11.11 (77) to 14.11. (95). The Swans rebounded with unconvincing wins against [[Port Adelaide Football Club|Port Adelaide]] and [[Brisbane Lions Football Club|Brisbane Lions]], before suffering their heaviest defeat for 17 seasons against the [[Hawthorn Football Club|Hawks]] by 89 points.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/biggest-loss-in-17-years-a-humiliation-for-swans-says-luke-parker-20150719-gifoiw.html|title=Biggest loss in 17 years a humiliation for Swans, says Luke Parker|first=Sebastian|last=Hassett|date=19 July 2015|website=The Age}}</ref> The following week was no better with a road trip to Perth and another loss, this time to the [[West Coast Eagles|Eagles]] by 52 points, the scoreline ultimately flattering the Swans. The Swans bounced back against Adelaide with a convincing win 52-point win, but lost their next game to [[Geelong Football Club|Geelong]] at [[Kardinia Park (stadium)|Simmonds stadium]]; a close affair that Geelong blew apart in the 3rd quarter. The Swans won their final 4 games to secure a top 4 finish, against [[Collingwood Football Club|Collingwood]], {{AFL GWS}}, [[St Kilda Football Club|St Kilda]] and {{AFL GC}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/2013-current|title=Timeline: The quest continues (2013 – current)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>

The Swans faced minor premiers [[Fremantle Dockers|Fremantle]] in the first qualifying final, their first finals match without Franklin, who had withdrawn from the finals due to illness.<ref>[http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-09-08/star-swan-franklin-out-of-final-against-freo-with-ongoing-mental-health-condition], AFL.com.au official website, 8 September 2015</ref> Ultimately the Swans would go down in a low-scoring affair, effectively kicking themselves out of the game after losing [[Sam Reid (Australian footballer born 1991)|Sam Reid]] to a hamstring injury midway through the 2nd quarter.<ref>[http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-premiership/video-sam-reid-subbed-out-of-sydneys-qualifying-final-with-fremantle-with-hamstring-injury/story-e6frf3e3-1227524180065], Fox Sports, 12 September 2015</ref> The following week the Swans were knocked out of the finals in a one-sided contest against [[North Melbourne Football Club|North Melbourne]], struggling to score throughout the first half with the game effectively over by half-time. For the first time since 2011, the Swans failed to make a preliminary final.

The Swans' continued period of success, in which it has missed the finals only three times since 1995, has led to some criticism about a [[salary cap]] concession which the club receives; the concession is in the form of an additional Cost of Living Allowance (COLA), due to the higher cost of living in Sydney compared with any other Australian city.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/afl/salary-cap-gave-swans-the-flag-say-hawks/story-e6frexx0-1226497327257|title=Hawks and Crows critical of Swans' salary cap – thetelegraph.com.au|date=16 October 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/afl/afl-turns-up-heat-on-sydneys-cost-of-living-allowance/story-e6frexwr-1226497138805|title=AFL turns up heat on Sydney's cost of living allowance|website=[[Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|Daily Telegraph]]}}</ref> It was, however, announced in March 2014 that this allowance would be scrapped.<ref>[http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-03-04/afl-to-scrap-cola AFL to scrap COLA], AFL.com.au official website, 4 March 2014</ref> The trade ban was fought by the club before the 2015 season and a reprieve was won, with the AFL allowing the club to participate in the 2015 AFL draft. There was a catch however, with the league imposing an edict that the club could only recruit players at or below current average wage of $340,000 (adjusted figures for 2015 was $349,000).<ref>[http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-01-21/swans-ok-to-trade-afl], AFL.com.au official website, 21 January 2015</ref> During the 2015 season, with the Swans team stretched by ageing players and injuries, it had become apparent that the trade restrictions that had prevented the Swans from participating in the 2014 draft, had impacted the list. With the trade period looming, Andrew Pridham lobbied the AFL to lift the trade restrictions, labeling the ban as a restraint of trade.<ref>[http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-08-14/swans-chairman-calls-for-trade-ban-to-be-banished], AFL.com.au official website, 14 August 2015</ref> In response to continued discussions between the club and league, as well as lobbying by the AFLPA,<ref>[http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/afl-players-association-joins-fight-over-sydney-swans-trading-ban-20150820-gj4504.html], ''The Age'', 20 August 2015</ref> the league further relaxed the trade restrictions for the Swans during the 2015 AFL Finals. The AFL changed the sanctions so that the Swans could replace a player that leaves the club as either a free agent, or through trade, with another player on a contract up to $450,000 per year. This allowed the Swans to trade for [[Callum Sinclair]] in a swap deal,<ref>[http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-10-14/eagles-swans-agree-to-straight-sinclairjetta-swap], AFL.com.au official website, 14 October 2015</ref> as well as trade a late pick for out-of-contract defender, [[Michael Talia]] from the Western Bulldogs.<ref>[http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/afl-trade-period-2015-former-bulldog-michael-talia-moves-to-swans-in-lastminute-trade-deal-20151022-gkfzhi.html], ''The Age'', 22 October 2015</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/2013-current|title=Timeline: The quest continues (2013 – current)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>

The Swans started off the 2016 season with a convincing 80-point round 1 win against [[Collingwood Football Club|Collingwood]], with new Swans recruit [[Michael Talia]] suffering a long-term foot injury. They followed up the next round with a 60-point win against the Blues, with new recruit [[Callum Sinclair]] kicking 3 goals. The following week they defeated GWS by 25 points, with [[Lance Franklin]] kicking 4 goals. In the following match against the Crows, [[Isaac Heeney]] starred with 18 touches and 4 goals in a losing side. Three more wins followed, against West Coast, Brisbane and Essendon respectively before a shock loss to Richmond in round 8 by a solitary point, after a kick after the siren. They bounced back to win against top spot North Melbourne, and the Hawks at the MCG, with Lance Franklin booting 3 goals, including a bomb from 80 metres. After a tight slog against the Suns, the Swans played the Giants once more and were defeated in the club's 100th game. They won their next game by 55 points against the Demons, in a fourth quarter breeze. After a bye in Round 14, the Sydney Swans lost their first game after, again with the last kick of the game, by 4 points. The week after was soured by a family feud involving co-captain [[Kieren Jack]] and his parents, after they were reportedly told by him not to come to is 200-game milestone. After the spat, Jack led the Swans to an emphatic upset victory against Geelong, booting 3 goals and gathering 24 possessions in the one-sided 38-point victory at Simonds Stadium. They then travelled back home where they faced Hawthorn and lost their 3rd match of the season by under a goal, as Buddy went goalless for the first time in the season. After an unconvincing win the following week against Carlton, the Swans went on to win their last 5 home and away games by a combined total of 349 points, giving them top spot and a home qualifying final.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/2013-current|title=Timeline: The quest continues (2013 – current)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>

Ahead of their first final against cross-town rivals the Giants, the Swans confirmed that they would play all home finals at the SCG except for Sydney Derbies, which would be played at Stadium Australia. The final would create history, being the first Sydney Derby to be played in a final. It was also the first time that the Giants would make the finals in their fifth year. In a low-scoring first half, the Swans were very competitive, trailing by only 2 points. However, a mark not paid to Isaac Heeney midway through the third quarter turned all the momentum the Giants way, as they kicked away to win by 36 points. The Swans only kicked 2 goals after half-time with Giant [[Jeremy Cameron]] outscoring them in the third quarter alone with 3 goals. They were quick to bounce back the following week, thumping the [[Adelaide Crows]] by 6 goals, with Franklin and [[Tom Papley]] kicking 4 goals a piece, after a blistering 7 goal to 1 quarter. The story was pretty much the same in the preliminary final against the [[Geelong Cats]] at the MCG. The Swans kept the Cats goalless for the first quarter, and were never really challenged in their 37-point triumph. It would take them to their third grand final in five years, against the Western Bulldogs at the MCG. After leading by a scant 2-point margin at half time, the Bulldogs pulled away towards the end of the fourth quarter to hand Sydney their second grand final loss in three years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/2013-current|title=Timeline: The quest continues (2013 – current)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>

The Swans began the 2017 season with six straight losses, after being upset at home by Port Adelaide in the opening round, they were upset by Collingwood and Carlton, and suffered defeats to the Western Bulldogs, Greater Western Sydney (who won their first game at the SCG) and West Coast Eagles (in Perth). However, they managed to win 13 of their last 15, losing both their games to [[Hawthorn Football Club|Hawthorn]] by 1 goal. Some of their best wins include against the reigning premiers the Bulldogs, GWS, and comeback wins against Richmond and Essendon. After becoming the first grand-finalist to lose their first six games, they have become the first team to reach the finals after starting the season 0–6. They would comprehensively defeat Essendon in their first final, before slumping to an ugly defeat against Geelong, ending their season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/2013-current|title=Timeline: The quest continues (2013 – current)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>

The Swans had an indifferent 2018, compounded by their struggles at home, losing 5 out of 11 games at the SCG. A lean patch of form which included upset losses to Gold Coast (for the first time ever) and Essendon (for the first time since 2011) had them looking likely to miss finals altogether; however, three out of four wins in the last four rounds was enough to see them into their ninth consecutive finals series, where they were comprehensively beaten by GWS in the elimination finals.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/2013-current|title=Timeline: The quest continues (2013 – current)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>

The Swans' golden era of finals appearances came to an end in 2019. They missed the finals for the first time in a decade, finishing 15th on the ladder with 8 wins and 14 losses. They started the season poorly with just one win in their first seven matches, although they would briefly recover after winning five of the next seven games. Six losses on the trot ended any chance of a tenth consecutive finals appearance, but strong wins over also-rans Melbourne and St Kilda in the final two rounds ensured the season ended on a positive note.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/2013-current|title=Timeline: The quest continues (2013 – current)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>

====2016–present: Pride Games====
In 2015, a pre-season Pride Game was played at [[Drummoyne Oval]] between the Swans and the [[Fremantle Dockers]]. From the following year, it became an annual fixture marking the club's support for the [[LGBTQIA+]] community.<ref name=is/><ref>{{cite web | last=Bourke | first=Ed | title=AFL challenged to embrace own pride round | website=[[The Australian]] | date=3 November 2023 | url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/breaking-news/aflw-players-hope-afl-can-deliver-own-pride-round-message/news-story/49aaf0625f5c116a4fc15fb92eb20242?nk=7e343132852968b095eea73770a437a7-1709857685 | access-date=8 March 2024}}</ref> The annual Pride Games are currently only played between the Swans and St Kilda. {{As of|November 2023}} the AFL had [[Australian Football League#LGBTIQ policy|no plans to introduce a Pride Round]], although the [[AFLW Pride Round]] was established in 2018.<ref>{{cite web | last=Bourke | first=Ed | title=AFL challenged to embrace own pride round | website=[[news.com.au]] | date=3 November 2023 | url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/aflw/aflw-players-hope-afl-can-deliver-own-pride-round-message/news-story/49aaf0625f5c116a4fc15fb92eb20242 | access-date=8 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Vinall | first=Marnie | title=AFL 2023: League open to dedicated pride round but says no immediate plans to add to existing themed rounds | website=[[The Age]] | date=27 February 2023 | url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/afl-open-to-dedicated-pride-round-but-urged-not-to-rush-in-20230227-p5cnst.html | access-date=8 March 2024}}</ref>

====2020s: Return to finals====
[[File:Dane_Rampe_2017.1.jpg|thumb|Dane Rampe, Sydney born and raised, has been a club captain between 2019 and 2023]]
[[File:Callum_Mills_2017.4.jpg|thumb|Callum Mills, Sydney born and raised was named sole captain in 2024]]
The Swans won their first match of the interrupted 2020 season against Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval by three points, but won only four more games for the season, missing the finals in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1994–95. The 16th-place finish was also the lowest in club history.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/2013-current|title=Timeline: The quest continues (2013 – current)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>

After two seasons out of the finals, the Swans rebounded to great effect in 2021. An excellent first month of the season, which saw them upset Brisbane and reigning premiers Richmond, set up a strong home-and-away campaign. Seven wins in their final eight games saw Sydney secure sixth position with a 15–7 win-loss record, just percentage outside the top four, but their year came to a premature end in the finals after a heartbreaking one-point loss to crosstown rival Greater Western Sydney in the second elimination final. The players felt as though they had more to give, and were overcome with disappointment knowing that they had no finals win to show for it, in a season which had otherwise been a massive step in the right direction.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/2013-current|title=Timeline: The quest continues (2013 – current)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>

In 2022, the Swans backed up their meteoric rise up the ladder with another promising start, winning five of their first six matches. This included a 30-point win against Geelong in Round 2, which involved Lance Franklin kicking his 1000th career goal, sparking one of the biggest pitch invasions in AFL history. After a mid-year slump, in which the Swans lost winnable games against Gold Coast, Port Adelaide and Essendon, they finished the home-and-away season with seven wins in a row, securing a top-4 berth for the first time since 2016.

In the 2022 finals series, the Swans beat Melbourne by 22 points at the Melbourne Cricket Ground to lock in a home preliminary final. The Swans played Collingwood in the preliminary final and won by a single point, qualifying to play in their fourth grand final in 12 years under Longmire.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Swans squeeze past Pies in CLASSIC to secure Grand Final spot |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/844292/swans-squeeze-past-pies-in-classic-to-secure-grand-final-spot |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=afl.com.au |date=17 September 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

On 24 September, the Swans were defeated by Geelong by 133 points to 52 in the [[2022 AFL Grand Final]].

In 2023 the Swans started well winning their opening two matches and on top of the ladder.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Hawthorn sink to ugly 73-year first after enduring Sydney bloodbath|website =News.com.au| url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/hawthorn-sink-to-ugly-73year-first-after-enduring-sydney-bloodbath/news-story/1facc871f6c4ace245b5735ae57076f1| access-date=2023-08-20}}</ref> A mid season slump saw them drop to as low as 15th<ref>{{Cite news |title=
From 15th to finals? How surging Swans have turned it around|website=AFL|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/1003869/from-15th-to-finals-how-surging-sydney-swans-have-turned-season-around|access-date=2023-08-20}}</ref> but they turned it around winning six in a row to qualify for the finals.<ref>{{Cite news |title=EAGLE SHOCK! Swans, Saints to play finals as Dogs stunned|website =AFL| url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/1013705/west-coast-eagles-put-major-dent-in-western-bulldogs-finals-chances-with-epic-upset| access-date=2023-08-20}}</ref>

In 2024, the Swans finished the season on top of the ladder with a record of 17–6. This gave them the minor premiership, their first since 2016.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Swans cruise past Crows to sew up minor premiership|website =AFL| url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/1203173/sydney-swans-cruise-past-adelaide-crows-to-sew-up-minor-premiership| access-date=2024-08-25}}</ref> They defeated GWS in the Qualifying Final and Port Adelaide in the Preliminary Final to qualify for their 7th Grand Final of the 21st century and their 5th under John Longmire. However they were defeated by the Brisbane Lions in the 2024 Grand Final 120 to 60.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Sublime Sydney surge into AFL grand final with crushing win over Port Adelaide|website =Guardian| url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/sep/20/afl-sydney-swans-vs-port-adelaide-power-preliminary-final-scg-match-report-result-scores| access-date=2024-09-23}}</ref> 

On 26 November 2024, a few months after his fourth grand final loss, John Longmire decided to announce his resignation as senior coach of Sydney Swans and hand the senior coach role to assistant coach [[Dean Cox]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-26/end-of-an-era-as-john-longmire-quits-as-sydney-swans-coach/104646654|title=John Longmire quits as Sydney Swans head coach after 14 years, moves to new executive position as Dean Cox takes over|work=ABC News |date=26 November 2024|access-date=26 November 2024}}</ref>

=== Dean Cox era: 2025– ===
Former [[West Coast Eagles|West Coast]], six-time [[All-Australian team|All-Australian]], [[2006 AFL Grand Final|premiership-winning]] ruckman [[Dean Cox]] was appointed the 45th head coach of the Sydney Swans ahead of the [[2025 AFL season]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-04 |title=Feature: Dean Cox profile |url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/1725287/feature-dean-cox-profile |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=sydneyswans.com.au |language=en}}</ref> At a press conference in December 2024, Cox flagged improvements to defence and contested work, which he described as "really poor" in the 2024 Grand Final. He also confirmed that key defender Tom McCartin had trained as a forward during much of the preseason.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-03 |title=Swans trial shock positional move as Cox flags changes |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/1262411/sydney-swans-trial-shock-positional-move-of-tom-mccartin-forward-as-new-coach-dean-cox-flags-changes |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=afl.com.au |language=en}}</ref> The club conducted a seven-and-a-half-hour review of the Grand Final loss, including one hour devoted to the opening minute of the match.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-11 |title=‘The first minute took over an hour’: Inside Swans’ brutal, full-day review of Grand Final flop |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/teams/sydney-swans/afl-2024-dean-cox-on-sydney-swans-review-of-grand-final-loss-to-brisbane-lions-says-it-took-seven-and-a-half-hours-latest-news/news-story/a51a6e31389fd2f166ee6d15a4d6e07f |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=Fox Sports |language=en}}</ref> Cox reinforced his approach of "challenging" the playing group with back-to-back 2 km time trials in February.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-15 |title=Swans tackle the New Year |url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/1707417/swans-tackle-the-new-year |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=sydneyswans.com.au |language=en}}</ref>

The early stages of the 2025 season were affected by an expanded injury list, including key players [[Callum Mills]], [[Errol Gulden]], [[Brodie Grundy]], [[Tom Papley]], [[Logan McDonald]], and six other players.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFL Official Injury Update & Injury List - AFL.com.au |url=https://www.afl.com.au/matches/injury-list |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250304224414/https://www.afl.com.au/matches/injury-list |archive-date=2025-03-04 |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=afl.com.au |language=en}}</ref> The Swans lost in Opening Round at the [[Sydney Cricket Ground|SCG]] to [[Hawthorn Football Club|Hawthorn]] by 20 points, with Cox acknowledging post-match that he had "gotten some things wrong."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-07 |title=Swans' Dean Cox says he 'got some things wrong' |url=https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_/id/44154388/afl-sydney-swans-coach-dean-cox-admits-got-some-things-wrong |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> The following week, Sydney lost at home once again, this time by 4 points to [[Brisbane Lions|Brisbane]] in a Grand Final rematch.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-15 |title=Official AFL Website of the Sydney Swans Football Club. All the latest news, videos, results and information. |url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/matches/6971 |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=sydneyswans.com.au |language=en}}</ref>

The first win during the Cox era came in Round 2, with a 3-point victory over [[Fremantle Football Club|Fremantle]] at [[Perth Stadium|Optus Stadium]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-23 |title=Amartey the hero as Swans snatch victory from Dockers |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/1285109/fremantle-dockers-v-sydney-swans-match-report-afl-round-two-2025 |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=afl.com.au |language=en}}</ref> After a bye, the Swans defeated [[North Melbourne Football Club|North Melbourne]] by 63 points in Round 4, but lost during Gather Round to Collingwood by 31 points.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-01 |title=AFL - News, Fixtures, Scores & Results |url=https://www.afl.com.au/afl/matches/6994#match-report |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=afl.com.au |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-08 |title=AFL - News, Fixtures, Scores & Results |url=https://www.afl.com.au/afl/matches/7000 |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=afl.com.au |language=en}}</ref> Media sources described Sydney's second-quarter performance as "unacceptable," with the team recording a pressure rating of 139 amid a run of Collingwood goals.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-11 |title=‘That’s just horrible’: Swans under fire as ‘unacceptable’ flaw exposed in ugly five-year AFL low |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-2025-criticism-of-sydney-swans-pressure-in-loss-to-collingwood-magpies-dean-cox-press-conference-comments-nathan-buckley-and-jonathan-brown-analysis-latest-news/news-story/1cf67a5dd79475a5ff9533f55b9f391b |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=Fox Sports |language=en}}</ref>

Extended conceding runs continued throughout the season, including Round 7 against [[Gold Coast Suns|Gold Coast]] (12 goals to none), Round 11 against [[Melbourne Football Club|Melbourne]] (12 goals to 6), Round 12 (12 goals to none) and Round 20 against [[GWS Giants|GWS]] (11 goals to none). In Round 10, the Swans contested their annual [[Marn Grook]] Game against [[Carlton Football Club|Carlton]], regaining a first-quarter lead in the final term to win by 16 points.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-16 |title=AFL - News, Fixtures, Scores & Results |url=https://www.afl.com.au/afl/matches/7046 |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=afl.com.au |language=en}}</ref>

Sydney suffered its largest home defeat since 1998 in Round 12, losing 90 points to [[Adelaide Football Club|Adelaide]] at the SCG on 31 May.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-01 |title=‘Blood-less’ Swans picked apart after SCG ‘embarrassment’ as coach moves, list come under fire |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-2025-big-concerns-for-sydney-swans-after-90point-home-loss-to-adelaide-crows-david-king-and-jack-riewoldt-analysis-dean-cox-press-conference-comments/news-story/0cb283a32306fc3ac7adb6a91688ad31 |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=Fox Sports |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=AFL Tables - South Melbourne/Sydney All Games - By Venue |url=https://afltables.com/afl/teams/swans/allgames_vn.html#9 |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=afltables.com}}</ref> Cox described the performance as "unacceptable and embarrassing," adding:<blockquote>“For a team that played desperate, uncompromising, ruthless football, and that (tonight) was far from it, so we need to strip it back and get to work real quick."</blockquote>Fans engaged in bronx cheering during the second quarter, which commentator [[Anthony Hudson (commentator)|Anthony Hudson]] called "Humiliating," while Adelaide’s [[Wayne Milera]] labelled the Swans "a bit of a rabble," for which the Adelaide Football Club later apologised.<ref>{{Cite news |title=‘Rabble’: Swans ‘humiliated’, fans stage SCG walk-out |url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/embarrassing-rival-player-labels-swans-a-rabble-after-scg-horror-show/news-story/01e2914778fc81a2019f576846cdb381 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251106122326/https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/embarrassing-rival-player-labels-swans-a-rabble-after-scg-horror-show/news-story/01e2914778fc81a2019f576846cdb381 |archive-date=2025-11-06 |access-date=2025-11-06 |language=en-AU}}</ref> 

The following morning, the squad held an impromptu dawn training session at Clovelly Beach, including push-ups and sit-ups, later reported to have been initiated by the club leaders and players.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-05 |title=Key Quotes: Dean Cox, Round 13 |url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/1798349/key-quotes-dean-cox-round-13 |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=sydneyswans.com.au |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-02 |title=Swans hold gruelling pre-dawn beach session just hours after SCG thumping |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/1335448/sydney-swans-players-put-through-paces-at-pre-dawn-beach-session-with-coach-dean-cox |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=afl.com.au |language=en}}</ref> The following week Dane Rampe stated the players had "let him (Cox) down" and that Milera's comment was "not far from the truth."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Keating |first=Mitch |date=2025-06-06 |title="We've let him down": Swans players take responsibility for slow start under new coach |url=https://www.zerohanger.com/weve-let-him-down-swans-players-take-responsibility-for-slow-start-under-new-coach-163570/ |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=Zero Hanger |language=en-US}}</ref>

Sydney rebounded with a 44-point win over [[Richmond Football Club|Richmond]] in Round 13.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-07 |title=AFL - News, Fixtures, Scores & Results |url=https://www.afl.com.au/afl/matches/7078 |access-date=2025-11-07 |website=afl.com.au |language=en}}</ref> After the midseason bye, key players [[Errol Gulden]] and [[Tom Papley]] returned for a 19-point victory against [[Port Adelaide Football Club|Port Adelaide]] in Round 15.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-21 |title=AFL - News, Fixtures, Scores & Results |url=https://www.afl.com.au/afl/matches/7089 |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=afl.com.au |language=en}}</ref> The Swans won six of their final nine games, but finals hopes ended in Round 20 with a 44-point loss to GWS at [[Sydney Showground Stadium|Engie Stadium]], ending a five-match winning streak against the [[GWS Giants|Giants]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-07-22 |title=AFL - News, Fixtures, Scores & Results |url=https://www.afl.com.au/afl/matches/7136 |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=afl.com.au |language=en}}</ref>

Cox trialled a faster playing style in Round 22 in the second Grand Final rematch against [[Brisbane Lions|Brisbane]], during which [[Isaac Heeney]] scored an equal career-best five goals. Sydney led by 20 points in the penultimate minute, but held on to win by just two as Brisbane rapidly kicked the final three goals.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-05 |title=AFL - News, Fixtures, Scores & Results |url=https://www.afl.com.au/afl/matches/7145 |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=afl.com.au |language=en}}</ref> 

Ahead of Round 22, former [[Fremantle Football Club|Fremantle]] captain and broadcaster [[Matthew Pavlich]] was announced as the club’s new CEO, replacing [[Tom Harley]] who had been announced earlier in the season as the incoming Chief Operating Officer for the AFL.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-06 |title=Matthew Pavlich appointed Sydney Swans CEO |url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/1852542/matthew-pavlich-appointed-sydney-swans-ceo |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=sydneyswans.com.au |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-11 |title=Tom Harley appointed Chief Operating Officer |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/1335747/tom-harley-appointed-chief-operating-officer-of-the-afl |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=afl.com.au |language=en}}</ref> Sydney’s Round 21 [[Jason Ball (activist)|Pride Game]] resulted in a 14-point win over [[Essendon Football Club|Essendon]]. The contest was affected by rain and marked by far the Swans' lowest home attendance of the season (20,805).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-01 |title=Official AFL Website of the Sydney Swans Football Club. All the latest news, videos, results and information. |url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/matches/7141 |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=sydneyswans.com.au |language=en}}</ref> It was also the first time that pride game was contested against a team other than [[St Kilda Football Club|St Kilda]], who proposed the original concept.

Member Thank You Round was celebrated in Round 23, at the final home game for the season, which ended in a 43-point loss to Geelong.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-12 |title=AFL - News, Fixtures, Scores & Results |url=https://www.afl.com.au/afl/matches/7159 |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=afl.com.au |language=en}}</ref> The season concluded with a 67-point win over West Coast at Optus Stadium, Cox’s first time coaching against his former club.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-19 |title=AFL - News, Fixtures, Scores & Results |url=https://www.afl.com.au/afl/matches/7170 |access-date=2025-11-07 |website=afl.com.au |language=en}}</ref>

Sydney finished tenth overall, with a 12–11 record, a 5-6 record at home, and a percentage of 97, marking just their fifth finals absence since 2000.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFL Season Ladder |url=https://www.afl.com.au/ladder |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=afl.com.au |language=en}}</ref> [[Isaac Heeney]] was selected as an All-Australian for the third time in his career, also winning a second consecutive Bob Skilton Medal.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-28 |title=2025 All-Australian team unveiled |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/1404860/2025-all-australian-team-unveiled |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=afl.com.au |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-28 |title=Heeney earns All-Australian honours for a third time |url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/1878682/heeney-earns-all-australian-honours-for-a-third-time |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=sydneyswans.com.au |language=en}}</ref>  Teammate [[Brodie Grundy]] made the 44-man All-Australian squad.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-26 |title=Squad of 44 for 2025 All Australian Team named |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/1403846/squad-of-44-for-2025-all-australian-team-named |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=afl.com.au |language=en}}</ref>

In the offseason, Sydney made several staff changes ahead of the 2026 season. Long term head of National Recruitment Manager Kinnear Beatson transitioned to the Swans Academy, replaced by John Giramondo and Chris Keane.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-01 |title=Sydney Swans list management update |url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/1883249/sydney-swans-list-management-update |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=sydneyswans.com.au |language=en}}</ref> [[2021 AFL Grand Final|2021 Premiership]] winning former Melbourne Coach [[Simon Goodwin]] was appointed in a new role called Director of Coaching & Performance.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-19 |title=Goodwin joins Swans coaching ranks |url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/1897252/goodwin-joins-swans-coaching-ranks |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=sydneyswans.com.au |language=en}}</ref> Former Swans player and VFL coach [[Jeremy Laidler]] returned to the club as an AFL assistant coach, alongside former Gold Coast GM of Football [[Wayne Campbell]], who was appointed head of the Swans Academy.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-24 |title=Laidler and Campbell join Sydney Swans |url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/1902496/laidler-and-campbell-join-sydney-swans |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=sydneyswans.com.au |language=en}}</ref> Swans 2012 Premiership player [[Nick Malceski]] was announced as coach of the VFL team, replacing former Swans teammate Jarrad McVeigh.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-10-07 |title=Sydney Swans welcome back Malceski |url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/1911497/sydney-swans-welcome-back-malceski |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=sydneyswans.com.au |language=en}}</ref> In November 2025, it was announced that inaugural Swans AFLW coach [[Scott Gowans]], resigned from the role after a ninth-place finish.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-11-06 |title=Swans part ways with AFLW coach Scott Gowans after missing finals |url=https://www.afl.com.au/aflw/news/1450465/sydney-swans-part-ways-with-aflw-coach-scott-gowans-after-missing-finals |access-date=2025-11-07 |website=afl.com.au/aflw |language=en}}</ref>

During the 2025 AFL Trade Period, Sydney acquired dual [[Coleman Medal|Coleman Medalist]] [[Charlie Curnow]] from [[Carlton Football Club|Carlton]] in exchange for [[Ollie Florent|Oliver Florent]] and [[Will Hayward]], with Hayward reporting to AFL.com.au that the move "probably could’ve been handled better."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-10-15 |title=Sydney Swans welcome star forward Charlie Curnow |url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/1916013/sydney-swans-welcome-star-forward-charlie-curnow |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=sydneyswans.com.au |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-10-30 |title='We want you gone': The Cox call that led to an Argentina pact for two new Blues |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/1448129/we-want-you-gone-the-phone-call-with-sydney-swans-coach-dean-cox-that-changed-everything-for-popular-ex-swans-will-hayward-ollie-florent |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=afl.com.au |language=en}}</ref> The Swans also successfully recruited [[Jai Serong]] (Hawthorn) and [[Malcolm Rosas]] (Gold Coast), both of whom requested trades to Sydney.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-10-15 |title=Swans land in-demand Hawks defender |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/1442066/sydney-swans-land-in-demand-hawthorn-hawks-defender-jai-serong |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=afl.com.au |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-10-07 |title=Swans complete deal for Suns small forward |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/1438361/sydney-swans-complete-deal-for-gold-coast-suns-small-forward-malcolm-rosas-jnr |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=afl.com.au |language=en}}</ref>

==Club identity==
The club's on-field nickname, the Swans, was suggested by a [[Herald and Weekly Times]] artist in 1933 in reference to the number of Western Australians in the team (the [[black swan]] being the state emblem of Western Australia). It was formally adopted by the club before the following season of 1934.<ref name="J. M. Rohan 7"/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article243213612 |title=SOUTH MELBOURNE'S MASCOT |newspaper=[[The Herald (Melbourne)|The Herald]] |issue=17,687 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=22 January 1934 |accessdate=14 May 2022 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> The name is also thought to refer to the population of [[black swan|black swans]] in the [[Albert Park Lake]], near the team's original home ground. The [[Chicago Swans]] are affiliated with the club and share a similar logo.<ref>{{Cite web|title=History of the Club (1997–2005)|url=https://chicagofooty.com/pages/history-of-the-club-1997-2005|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20211209020715/https://chicagofooty.com/pages/history-of-the-club-1997-2005|archive-date=9 December 2021|access-date=9 Dec 2021|website=[[Chicago Swans]]}}</ref>

===Uniforms===
The jumper is white with a red back and a red yoke with a silhouette of the [[Sydney Opera House]] at the point of the yoke. The Opera House design was first used at the start of the 1987 season, replacing the traditional red "V" on white design. Until 1991, the back of the jumper was white with the yoke only extending to the back of the shoulders and each side of the jumper had a red vertical stripe. The current predominantly red design appeared at the start of the 1992 season. The club's major sponsor is [[QBE Insurance]]. In 2004 the club added the initials 'SMFC' in white lettering at the back of the collar to honour the club's past as South Melbourne Football Club. The move was welcomed by Melbourne-based fans. From 2011 to 2021, the clash guernsey was a predominantly white version of the home guernsey similar to the original Opera House guernsey design, including a white back, but was rarely used, since the two Queensland clubs (the [[Brisbane Lions]] and [[Gold Coast Football Club|Gold Coast Suns]]) and cross town rivals [[Greater Western Sydney Giants|GWS Giants]] are the only clubs with which there is a clash.<ref>[http://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/2012-10-31/swans-2013-fixture-released Swans 2013 fixture released], Sydney Swans official website, 31 October 2012</ref> As of 2023 in addition to being used in games in Victoria unless there is a clash, the red "V" is used as a clash guernsey against Gold Coast and Brisbane

[[Nike, Inc.|Nike]] is the current manufacturer of the Swans' apparel.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Nike and the Sydney Swans unite to celebrate the power of sport|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/838518/Nike-and-the-Sydney-Swans-unite-to-celebrate-the-power-of-sport|access-date=2020-11-26|website=www.sydneyswans.com.au|date=26 November 2020 }}</ref> Previous manufacturers were [[Puma (brand)|Puma]] (from mid-1990s to 2009)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/140797/score-an-end-of-season-trip-for-your-footy-team-with-puma|title=Score an end of season trip for your footy team with PUMA|publisher=Sydney Swans|date=12 March 2007|access-date=26 November 2020}}</ref> and [[ISC (sportswear)|ISC]] (2010 to 2020).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/teams/roosters/sports-confidential-apparel-company-iscs-collapse-could-cost-nrl-clubs-a-combined-8-million/news-story/49ff7495a78d79346beb6968c0b9ac09|title=Sport Confidential: Apparel firm ISC's withdrawal could cost NRL clubs a combined $8 million|publisher=The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|first=Michael|last=Carayannis|date=26 June 2020|access-date=26 November 2020}}</ref>

====Evolution====
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"
|! colspan="3" style="text-align: center" | '''Uniform Evolution'''<ref>{{cite web |title=Season by Season Jumpers |url=http://www.footyjumpers.com/swansall.htm |website=www.footyjumpers.com |access-date=1 December 2021}}</ref>
|-
! Design
! width=100px| Period
! Description and history
|-
|{{Australian rules football kit|pattern_b= _thinwhitehoops|pattern_so= _hoops_white|body= 002D62 |shorts= 002D62|socks= 002D62}}
|1874–1879
|The club's original guernsey. A blue and white hoop design, with blue shorts.
|-
|{{Australian rules football kit|pattern_b= _thinwhitehoops|pattern_so= _hoops_red|body= ff0000 |shorts= 002D62|socks= ffffff}}
|1880–1904
|The same hoop design, but utilising the modern Red and White colour scheme for the guernsey. Retains the blue shorts from its predecessor.
|-
|{{Australian rules football kit|pattern_b= _3whitestripes|pattern_so= _hoops_red|body= ff0000|shorts= 002D62|socks= ffffff|title= }}
|1905–06
|A red and white guernsey, with a vertical "bar" design. A one-off jumper based on this design was utilised in 1996, for the Centenary Celebration Round. 
|-
|{{Australian rules football kit|pattern_b= _redrightsash|pattern_so= _hoops_red|body= ffffff|shorts= 002D62|socks= ffffff}}
|1907–11<br/>1913–19<br/>1923–31
|A white guernsey base, with a red "sash". The sash goes from the left shoulder to the right hip. A one-off version of this guernsey was worn in 2018 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 1918 premiership.
|-
|{{Australian rules football kit|pattern_b= _redleftsash|pattern_so= _hoops_red|body= ffffff|shorts= 002D62|socks= ffffff}}
|1912
|A reversed form of the same sash guernsey, with the sash going from the right shoulder to the left hip.
|-
|{{Australian rules football kit|pattern_b= |pattern_so= _hoops_red|body= ff0000|shorts= |socks= ffffff}}
|1920–1922
|A full red guernsey with white shorts. Bore the SMFC monogram on its front.
|-
|{{Australian rules football kit|pattern_b = _Vonwhite|pattern_so= _hoops_red|body= ff0000|shorts= 000000|socks= ffffff}}
|1932–74
|A white guernsey bearing a red chevron, paired with black shorts. Worn in 2003 for the first AFL Heritage Round. 
|-
|{{Australian rules football kit |pattern_b = _Vonwhite|pattern_so= _hoops_red|body= ff0000|shorts= ff0000|socks= ffffff}}
|1975–86, 2021–present
|The same guernsey design, but with red shorts instead of black. Used on numerous occasion for heritage purposes, such as for Heritage Rounds between 2004 and 2007. Was worn for part of the 2021 season, due to the club's temporary relocation to Melbourne and since the 2022 season, is used as an away guernsey for games in Victoria as well as an alternate against Gold Coast and Brisbane.
|-
|{{Australian rules football kit |pattern_b= _swans19h|pattern_so= _hoops_red |body= ffffff|shorts= ff0000|socks=}}
|1987–present
|A white guernsey, with a red panel at the top. The red panel is cut in a manner to allow the Sydney Opera House to appear on the guernsey. Paired with red shorts. 
|}

===Club song===
The club song is known as "Cheer, Cheer The Red and The White" and is to the tune of the ''[[Victory March (fight song)|Victory March]]'', the fight song of the [[Notre Dame Fighting Irish]] in South Bend, Indiana, US, which was written by [[University of Notre Dame]] graduates and brothers Rev. Michael J. Shea and John F. Shea. The South Melbourne football club adapted the song after hearing it in the 1940 film ''[[Knute Rockne, All American]]''. In 1961, SMFC committee member Mr. Lynn Laurence sought and was granted a copyright from the University and other musical houses to adapt and add lyrics to the ''Victory March'' thus creating the new club song, which replaced an adaptation of ''[[Springtime in the Rockies (1937 film)|Springtime in the Rockies]]'' by [[Gene Autry]].<ref>[http://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/our-club/club-song Sydney Swans Club Song] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921094902/http://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/our-club/club-song |date=21 September 2017 }} SydneySwans.com.au</ref> Port Adelaide also has used the ''Victory March'' as the basis for their club song since 1971, though their senior team changed their club song to their current original ''Power To Win'' after their entry into the AFL.

George Gershwin's ''[[Swanee (song)|Swanee]]'' (1919) was used by the club in marketing promotions during the late 1990s.{{citation needed|date=March 2018}}

In March 2021, the Swans made a slight but inclusive change to the penultimate line of their club song, with the words "while ''her loyal sons'' are marching..." changing to "while ''our loyal Swans'' are marching...".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/sydney-swans/different-swan-song-sydneys-new-lyrics-to-club-anthem-ng-b881826009z|title=Different Swan song: Sydney's new lyrics to club anthem|publisher=PerthNow|date=19 March 2021|access-date=30 March 2021}}</ref>

===Home ground and training base===

The club's original home ground was [[Lakeside Stadium|Lakeside Oval]], when they were known as the South Melbourne Football Club 
from 1879 until 1981.<ref name="Lakeside Stadium"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/club/history/timeline/1874-1897|title=Timeline: VFA era and the birth of a new club (1874–1897)|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>

Since the [[2016 AFL season]], the Swans have played all their home games at the [[Sydney Cricket Ground]], a 48,000 capacity venue located in inner-east suburb of [[Moore Park, New South Wales|Moore Park]]. The venue has been home to Swans home games since the club's relocation to Sydney in 1982.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/afl/sydney-swans/sydney--swans-to-play-all-afl-games-at-scg-after-quitting-anz-stadium-20160229-gn6h1f.html|title=Sydney Swans to play all AFL games at SCG after quitting ANZ Stadium|date=29 February 2016|work=[[Sydney Morning Herald]]}}</ref> In the years 2002–2015, the Swans played between three and four home matches per season and most home [[AFL finals series|finals]] matches at [[Stadium Australia]] (commercially known as [[Australia and New Zealand Banking Group|ANZ]] Stadium), an 80,000 capacity stadium located in the west of the city. During the first five years at the ground average crowds were high, but issues with the surface as well as fan and player disengagement resulted in the club ending its association with the venue.{{CN|date=April 2025}}

The club also trains on the SCG during the season and had its indoor training facilities and offices located within the stadium. During the off-season, when the ground is configured for [[cricket]], the Swans train on the adjacent [[Tramway Oval]] (previously known as Lakeside Oval) also located within the Moore Park precinct.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-11-21/lakeside-oval-upgrade-set-to-hinder-swans-preseason|title=Lakeside Oval upgrade set to hinder Swans' pre-season|work=AFL.com.au|date=21 November 2018}}</ref><ref name=WorkOut>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/98129/longmire-lauds-lakeside|title=Longmire lauds Lakeside|work=Sydney Swans|date=30 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.centennialparklands.com.au/Sports/Parks/Moore-Park/Tramway-Oval|title=Tramway Oval|work=Centennial Parklands Sydney}}</ref> The oval is located less than one hundred metres from the SCG and since undergoing a redevelopment in 2018/19, has the same dimensions as the [[Docklands Stadium]] in Melbourne. The Swans NEAFL/reserves team have played some home matches at the oval, which has grassed hills and standing areas for several hundred spectators.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/92651/gallery-history-created-at-moore-park|title=Gallery: History created at Moore Park|work=Sydney Swans|date=17 August 2019}}</ref>

In October 2018 the club announced it would shift all offices and indoor training facilities to Moore Park's Royal Hall of Industries sometime in the early-to-mid 2020s, after announcing a $55 million deal with the [[New South Wales Government]] to redevelop the Hall.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/2018-10-05/swans-secure-new-home|title=Sydney Swans secure new home for HQ & Community Centre in Moore Park|work=Sydney Swans|date=18 October 2018}}</ref> The club pulled out of the agreement in April 2020 due to the financial implications of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-2020-sydney-swans-70-million-headquarters-plan-swans-withdraw-from-deal-moore-park-plan-centre-of-excellence/news-story/f44e9a7fd0301c9653eab140276f491c|title=Sydney Swans pull out of $70 million headquarters deal in major coronavirus blow|work=Fox Sports|date=16 April 2020}}</ref> In August 2021, the Swans announced it had re-negotiated a lease with the government to immediately commence the project. The facility provides indoor training facilities and administration for the Swans AFL, VFL and AFLW teams.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/1009032/sydney-swans-hq-at-the-royal-hall-of-industries|title=Sydney Swans HQ at the Royal Hall of Industries|work=Sydney Swans|date=27 August 2021}}</ref> The club began moving into the facility in December 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZW20t5btiKA|title=The Sydney Swans are leaving the SCG for a new headquarters|work=7 News|date=10 December 2022|publisher=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/1260679/swans-enjoy-first-official-day-at-new-hq|title=Swans enjoy first official day at new HQ|work=Sydney Swans|date=10 January 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/1264382/sydney-swans-hq-taking-shape|title=Sydney Swans HQ taking shape|date=25 January 2023|work=Sydney Swans}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/872122/historic-royal-hall-of-industries-building-transformed-into-sydney-swans-new-training-facility/amp|work=afl.com.au|date=11 January 2023|title=Historic building transformed into Swans' new training facility}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/sydney-swans-move-into-multimillion-dollar-worldclass-training-facility/news-story/25f863e8b4bfb90d1cb9ea25fbeafe40?amp|work=News.com.au|date=26 January 2023|title=Sydney Swans move into multi-million dollar world-class training facility}}</ref> It was formally opened by the Prime Minister and New South Wales Premier in June 2023. The facility includes an indoor training field, gym, wet recovery area, medical amenities, a retail store, commercial kitchen, media studio, auditorium, learning centre, office space and a rooftop terrace, while the newly built adjoining building includes an international standard multi-purpose indoor sports court.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/1367185/prime-minister-nsw-premier-officially-open-sydney-swans-hq|title=Prime Minister & NSW Premier officially open Sydney Swans HQ|work=Sydney Swans|date=29 June 2023}}</ref>

==Rivalries==

===Greater Western Sydney===
{{main|Sydney Derby (AFL)}}

The introduction of the [[Greater Western Sydney Giants|GWS Giants]] to the AFL in [[2012 AFL season|2012]] resulted in the formation of the [[Sydney Derby (AFL)|Sydney Derby]]. The Swans compete against their cross-city rivals twice every season. The best performed player from every derby match is awarded the '''Brett Kirk Medal'''.

Initially, the rivalry was a one-sided affair in favour of the Swans, who won 8 of the first 9 derbies. However, it has become more competitive in recent years, with the Giants winning 5 of the 7 most recent derbies. The Swans have also played the Giants in four finals matches, losing three of them.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/gws-giants-come-of-age-to-upset-sydney-swans-in-first-qualifying-final/news-story/91e683a1d56034a46dd23c8eff3d833b|title=GWS Giants come of age to upset Sydney Swans in first qualifying final|work=News.com.au|date=10 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/afl/sydney-swans/afl-lands-nrl-huge-blow-with-bumper-crowd-for-sydney-swans-v-gws-giants-qualifying-final-20160910-grdee9.html|title=AFL lands NRL huge blow with bumper crowd for Sydney Swans v GWS Giants qualifying final|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=10 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://wwos.nine.com.au/afl/afl-gws-giants-defeat-sydney-swans-in-elimination-final-at-scg/61505034-8666-4d36-a2f7-73175e168c4d|title=GWS Giants humiliate Sydney Swans in elimination final|publisher=Wide World of Sports|first=Chris|last=De Silva|date=8 September 2018|access-date=14 September 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-09-07 |title=Big, big turnaround: Swans' late surge breaks Giants hearts |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/1213622 |access-date=2024-09-07 |website=afl.com.au |language=en}}</ref>

===West Coast Eagles===
{{main|Sydney–West Coast AFL rivalry}}

[[File:Barry Hall.jpg|thumb|[[Barry Hall]] and [[Darren Glass]]]]
The Swans developed a famous [[AFL team rivalries|modern rivalry]] against the Perth-based [[West Coast Eagles]] between 2005 and 2007, when six consecutive games between the two teams, including two qualifying finals and two grand finals, were decided by less than a goal. The rivalry was highlighted by Sydney's four-point win against West Coast in the [[2005 AFL Grand Final|2005 Grand Final]], and West Coast's one-point win against Sydney in the [[2006 AFL Grand Final|2006 Grand Final]].

===Hawthorn===
The rivalry with [[Hawthorn Football Club|Hawthorn]] has been more recent, mostly defined by two grand finals ([[2012 AFL Grand Final|2012]] and [[2014 AFL Grand Final|2014]]). The Swans beat Hawthorn in 2012 by 10 points to claim their fifth premiership. The rivalry grew in 2013, when Hawthorn forward Lance Franklin transferred to the Swans as a free agent on a nine-year, $10&nbsp;million deal. In 2014, the Swans finished minor premiers and were favourites to win the grand final, however Hawthorn beat Sydney by 63 points. Both teams have had close games since their grand final encounters, with their matches often finishing within single digit margins.

==Men's team==
===Current squad===
{{Sydney Swans AFL personnel}}

==Women's team==
[[Image:AFLW_at_North_Sydney_Oval.jpg|thumb|right|The Sydney Swans women's first home game at the [[North Sydney Oval]] on 27 August 2022 set a new record crowd for women's Australian rules football in New South Wales with 8,264 in attendance.<ref name="NthSyd">[https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/1211866/beyond-the-boundary-with-baker-learnings-from-round-1 Beyond the Boundary with Baker: Learnings from Round 1] By Baker Denneman, Sydney Swans</ref>]]
The Sydney Swans women's team was founded for the 2016 exhibition series; however, they did not bid for AFLW entry until 2022. Following the granting of an official AFLW license, the team made its debut in [[2022 AFL Women's season 7]]. 
It was the most supported in the AFLW in 2022 (S7) with 7,757 members.<ref>{{cite news|title=AFLW Club Membership breaks all-time record|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/116640/aflw-club-membership-breaks-all-time-record|work=womens.afl|date=25 November 2022|access-date=25 November 2022}}</ref> Despite finishing last in its debut season, the women's team had the 4th highest average home attendance in the league, with 3,773 playing out of the North Sydney Oval and [[Henson Park]].

===Current squad===
{{Sydney Swans AFL Women's personnel}}

===Club Champion===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style=text-align:center
! Season
! style=width:12em | Winner
! style=width:12em | Runner-up
! style=width:12em | Third place
! class=unsortable | {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| [[2022 AFL Women's season 7|2022 (S7)]] || {{sortname|Cynthia|Hamilton}} || {{sortname|Montana|Ham}} || {{sortname|Sofia|Hurley}} || <ref>{{Cite news|title=Hamilton crowned inaugural AFLW Club Champion|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/1246588/hamilton-crowned-inaugural-aflw-club-champion|publisher=Sydney Swans|date=11 November 2022|access-date=2 October 2023}}</ref>
|-
| [[2023 AFL Women's season|2023]] || {{sortname|Laura|Gardiner}} || {{sortname|Chloe|Molloy}} || {{sortname|Ally|Morphett}} || <ref>{{Cite news|title=Gardiner crowned AFLW Club Champion|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/1475418/gardiner-crowned-aflw-club-champion|publisher=Sydney Swans|date=8 December 2023|access-date=12 December 2023}}</ref>
|}

==Reserves team==
{{Infobox Australian football club
|color1 = #B50000
|color2 = white
|color3 = solid white
| clubname  = Sydney
| image     = 
| image_size = 
| caption   = 
| fullname  = Sydney Swans Limited
| formernames = South Melbourne reserves<br/>(1925–1982)
| season    = [[2023 VFL season|<span style="color:white">2023</span>]]
| home&away = 18th
| afterfinals =
| founded   = 27 March 1900
| formernicknames = ''Redbacks''
| league    = [[Victorian Football League]]
| coach     = Damian Truslove
| captain   = Adam Gulden
| premierships = '''AFL Canberra''' (4){{hlist|[[AFL Canberra|2005]]|[[AFL Canberra|2006]]|[[AFL Canberra|2007]]|[[AFL Canberra|2008]]}}
| ground    = [[Sydney Cricket Ground]] & [[Tramway Oval]] (1,000)
| ground2   = 
| capacity  = 
| capacity2 = 
| formerground = 
| pattern_name1 = Home 
| pattern_b1      = _swans19h
| pattern_sh1     = _whitesides2
| pattern_so1     = _hoops_red
| body1           = FFFFFF
| shorts1         = FF0000
| socks1          = FFFFFF
}}
{{anchor|Reserves}}The '''Sydney reserves''' are the reserves side of the club, playing in the [[Victorian Football League]] since [[2021 VFL season|2021]].

===History===
'''South Melbourne Juniors''' was formed by the South Melbourne Football Club on 29 March 1900, joining the [[Victorian Amateur Football Association|Metropolitan Junior Football Association]] (MJFA).<ref>{{cite web |title=The Record |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/108492028/11101540 |website=Trove |publisher=Record |access-date=13 August 2024 |page=3 |date=7 April 1900 |quote=At a committee meeting of the South Melbourne Football Club held on Thursday evening last, it was unanimously agreed to establish a team to be known as the South Melbourne Juniors. They will compete for the Metropolitan Association Premieiship, and be under the joint management of the South Melbourne Football and Cricket Clubs.}}</ref>

In [[1919 VJFL season|1919]], the [[Victorian Junior Football League]] (VFL) was formed, with the [[Leopold Football Club]] operating as South Melbourne's affiliate. At the end of the [[1924 VJFL season|1924 season]], Leopold was replaced by the '''South Melbourne Second Eighteen'''.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Age|publication-place=Melbourne, VIC|title=Leopold|date=18 March 1925|page=18}}</ref>

The side competed in the [[AFL reserves|VFL seconds]] (which later became the [[AFL reserves]]) until the competition's demise at the end of 1999, even after the move Sydney in 1982. The team enjoyed little success in the reserves competition, with its best performances in losing grand finals in 1927, 1956, 1980 and 1995.

In 2000, the Sydney reserves – known as the Redbacks – joined the [[Sydney AFL]] competition, but was so dominant in the lower competition that it withdrew prior to the finals series because the club felt the difference in standard was too greatly in favour of the Swans. Between 2001 and 2002, the Swans affiliated themselves with the [[Port Melbourne Football Club]] in the [[Victorian Football League|VFL]], sending most of its reserves players there, while also retaining the Redbacks in the Sydney AFL as a junior development team. From 2003, the Sydney reserves recombined to a single team, which contested the higher standard [[AFL Canberra]], winning four consecutive premierships between 2005 and 2008.

In 2011 the Swans reserves team joined the newly established [[North East Australian Football League]] with the rest of the AFL Canberra competition. The side often played as a curtain raiser to senior AFL games. The side never won a premiership, eliminated in the Eastern Conference Grand Finals in [[2011 NEAFL season|2011]] and [[2012 NEAFL season|2012]]; then losing the overall NEAFL grand final five times: [[2013 NEAFL season|2013]], [[2014 NEAFL season|2014]], [[2016 NEAFL season|2016]], [[2017 NEAFL season|2017]] and [[2018 NEAFL season|2018]].

Following the disbandment of the NEAFL in 2020, the Sydney reserves have competed in the [[Victorian Football League]].

==Sydney Swans Academy==
The '''Sydney Swans Academy''' consists of the club's junior development signings. It was formed in 2010 as one of two in Sydney including the [[GWS Giants Academy]] and one of four Northern Academies including the [[Brisbane Lions Academy]] and [[Gold Coast Suns Academy]].

72 spread staff across 9 facilities manage 550 selected underage players from age 10 up with regional hubs in [[Illawarra]], [[Central Coast (New South Wales)|Central Coast]], [[Newcastle, New South Wales|Newcastle]], [[Port Macquarie]] and [[Northern Rivers]].<ref>[https://www.afl.com.au/news/90382/how-the-northern-football-academies-work How the northern football academies work] By Michael Whiting on Feb 18, 2015</ref>

The men's and women's U16 and U18 teams have contested Division 2 of the men's and women's underage championships since 2017.

The Swans Academy also joined the [[Talent League]] in 2019.

==Corporate==

===Governance===
The [[AFL Commission]] owns the majority stake in the club and elects seven of the nine members of its board with the two remaining being elected by the club members.

===Administration===
'''Directors''':
* Andrew Pridham chairman (2013–present)
* Andrew Ireland
* [[Sam Mostyn]]
* Robert Morgan
* Greg Paramor
* Darren Steinberg
* Leo Barry
* Alexandra Goodfellow
* Brian Tyson

'''CEOs''':
* [[Matthew Pavlich]] (2025–current)
* Andrew Ireland (2009–2018)
* Myles Baron-Hay (2004–2009)
* Phil Mullen
* Colin Seery
* Kelvin Templeton
* Jordan Sembel

=== Sponsors ===

==== Current major sponsors  ====
{{as of|November 2023}}, the club's sponsors are:<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Official AFL Website of the Sydney Swans Football Club. All the latest news, videos, results and information. |url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/partners |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=sydneyswans.com.au |language=en}}</ref>
* [[realestate.com.au]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blackiston |first=Hannah |date=2019-08-26 |title=Sydney Swans appoints realestate.com.au as its new major partner |url=https://mumbrella.com.au/sydney-swans-appoints-realestate-com-au-as-its-new-major-partner-595312 |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=Mumbrella |language=en-US}}</ref>  
* [[Volkswagen]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Long |first=Michael |date=2011-02-07 |title=Swans announce 'major partnership' with Volkswagen |url=https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/swans_announce_major_partnership_with_volkswagen/ |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=SportsPro |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==== Premier partners ====

* [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]]<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Hutchinson |first1=Samantha |last2=Brook |first2=Stephen |date=2020-12-06 |title=With sponsorship boost, will the Swans just do it? |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/with-sponsorship-boost-will-the-swans-just-do-it-20201206-p56l20.html |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Qatar Airways]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Qatar Airways Group sees strong financial performance for 2022/23 {{!}} Times Aerospace |url=https://www.timesaerospace.aero/news/business-and-finance/qatar-airways-group-sees-strong-financial-performance-for-202223 |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=www.timesaerospace.aero}}</ref> 
* [[HSBC]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hodson |first=Joshua |date=2019-12-05 |title=Sydney Swans Sign Multi-Year Partnership With HSBC |url=https://ministryofsport.com/sydney-swans-sign-multi-year-partnership-with-hsbc/ |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=Ministry of Sport |language=en-US}}</ref> 
* [[Carsales]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-01 |title=carsales to rev up Sydney |url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/1276642/carsales-to-rev-up-sydney |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=sydneyswans.com.au |language=en}}</ref> 
* [[Origin Energy]]
* [[Channel 7 (Australia)|Channel 7]]<ref name=":0" />
* [[Independent Reserve]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Badman |first=Rob |date=2021-12-06 |title='Go the Bloods'… Independent Reserve crypto exchange teams up with Sydney Swans |url=https://stockhead.com.au/cryptocurrency/go-the-bloods-independent-reserve-crypto-exchange-teams-up-with-sydney-swans/ |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=Stockhead |language=en-US}}</ref> 
* [[Transport for NSW]]<ref name=":1" />
* [[Fiserv]]<ref name=":0" />
* [[McDonald's|McDonalds]]<ref name=":0" />
* [[Office of Responsible Gambling]]<ref name=":0" />
* [[Sydney Children's Hospitals Foundation]]<ref name=":0" />

===Supported charities===
*[[Wally Jackson]] Research Fund
* Sydney Australian Football Foundation (SAFF)

==Supporter base==
[[File:Sydney swans supporters at the 2006 afl grand final.jpg|thumb|Sydney Swans supporters]]
Although a large majority of the existing [[fan base]] strongly objected to the relocation of the club from South Melbourne, the Sydney Swans have built a large following in the city they now call home. Attendances and memberships in Sydney grew dramatically during the Lockett era, helped out by the [[Super League War]] plaguing Rugby League.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article127528221 |title=Catharine Munro examines why people choose to stay away from rugby league Super League war takes its toll on crowd numbers |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=70 |issue=21,960 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=2 June 1995 |accessdate=10 July 2022 |page=3 (TV and radio Sport) |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> Nevertheless, the Swans continue to have a substantial supporter base in Victoria, with attendances for Swans games in Melbourne being much higher than other non-Victorian teams.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} In 2024, the Sydney Swans achieved their highest home attendances in club history, with an average of 38,202 fans at each of their 11 home games at the SCG, far surpassing the previous record of 35,818 that was set back in 1997.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-09-10 |title=Swans high means SCG members struggle to get tickets |url=https://www.afr.com/companies/sport/swans-high-means-scg-members-struggle-to-get-tickets-20240909-p5k906#:~:text=The%202024%20AFL%20season%20was,of%20its%2011%20home%20matches. |access-date=2024-09-12 |website=Australian Financial Review |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=AFL Tables – Sydney – Crowds |url=https://afltables.com/afl/crowds/swans.html |access-date=2024-09-12 |website=afltables.com}}</ref> The club also reached a new membership record of 73,757 as of September 2024, 12.9% more than their previous record of 65,332, set one year earlier in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-09-10 |title=AFL Club membership sets all-time record |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/1217482/afl-club-membership-sets-all-time-record-in-2024 |access-date=2024-09-12 |website=afl.com.au |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-05 |title=More than 65,000 reasons to say thank you |url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/1423514/more-than-65000-reasons-to-say-thank-you |access-date=2024-09-12 |website=sydneyswans.com.au |language=en}}</ref> 

[[Aboriginal Australians|Aboriginal]] actress and dancer [[Lillian Crombie]] founded the [[Indigenous Australians|First Nations]] supporters club, the Black Swans.<ref>{{cite web | title=A tribute to the founder of the Black Swans | website=Sydney Swans | date=18 January 2024 | url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/1481819/a-tribute-to-the-founder-of-the-black-swans | access-date=20 January 2024}}</ref>

According to [[Roy Morgan Research]], the club has been the most supported club among all AFL supporters in every year since 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/813970/sydney-most-supported-club-in-afl|title=Sydney most supported club in AFL|publisher=Sydney Swans|date=16 September 2020|access-date=2 October 2020}}</ref>

The club also has an official Sydney [[LGBTQIA+]] supporter group, Rainbow Swans.<ref name=is>{{cite web | last=Irvine | first=Jason | title=AFL Pride Game remains a continued show of representation and visibility | website=The Inner Sanctum | date=7 August 2021 | url=https://www.theinnersanctum.com.au/afl-pride-game-remains-a-continued-show-of-representation-and-visibility/ | access-date=8 March 2024}}</ref>

'''Legend:'''
{{color box|#ffc423}} ''Premiers''   {{color box|Silver}} ''Grand Finalist'' {{color box|#98FB98}} ''Finals''  {{color box|#ebc2af}} ''Wooden spoon''
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="background:#bdb76b;"
! Year !! Members !! Finishing position !! Average Home crowd
|-
|1982|| ||7th||15,993
|-
|1983|| ||11th||12,025
|-
|1984||2,750||10th||12,497
|-
|1985||2,777||10th||10,137
|-
|- style="background:#98FB98;"
|1986||4,927||4th||25,819
|-
|- style="background:#98FB98;"
|1987||3,594||4th||22,032
|-
|1988||2,516||7th||12,311
|-
|1989||2,631||7th||12,317
|-
|1990||2,624||13th||9,178
|-
|1991||2,907||12th||11,521
|-
|- style="background:#ebc2af;"
|1992||3,020||15th||9,881
|-
|- style="background:#ebc2af;"
|1993||3,097||15th||9,423
|-
|- style="background:#ebc2af;"
|1994||3,327||15th||9,813
|-
|1995||6,088||12th||15,949
|-
|- style="background:Silver;"
|1996||9,525||2nd||24,996
|-
|- style="background:#98FB98;"
|1997||22,109||7th||36,612
|-
|- style="background:#98FB98;"
|1998||31,089||5th||31,549
|-
|- style="background:#98FB98;"
|1999||31,175||8th||30,586
|-
|2000||30,177||10th||25,308
|-
|- style="background:#98FB98;"
|2001||28,022||7th||27,556
|-
|2002||27,755||11th||25,270
|-
|- style="background:#98FB98;"
|2003||21,270||3rd||32,244
|-
|- style="background:#98FB98;"
|2004||25,010||5th||30,964
|-
|- style="background:#ffc423;"
|2005||24,955||1st||31,516
|-
|- style="background:Silver;"
|2006||30,382||2nd||32,877¹
|-
|- style="background:#98FB98;"
|2007||28,764||7th||35,632¹
|-
|- style="background:#98FB98;"
|2008||26,721||6th||32,834
|-
|2009||26,269||12th||30,506
|-
|- style="background:#98FB98;"
|2010||28,671||5th||31,586
|-
|- style="background:#98FB98;"
|2011||27,106||6th||26,615
|-
|- style="background:#ffc423;"
|2012||29,873||1st||27,663
|-
|- style="background:#98FB98;"
|2013||36,358||4th||29,104
|-
|- style="background:Silver;"
|2014||40,126||2nd||32,579
|-
|- style="background:#98FB98;"
|2015||48,836||5th||32,217
|-
|- style="background:Silver;"
|2016||56,523||2nd||33,425
|-
|- style="background:#98FB98;"
|2017||58,838||5th||34,475
|-
|- style="background:#98FB98;"
|2018||60,934||7th||32,575
|-
|2019||61,912||15th||31,070
|-
|2020||48,322||16th||3,421
|-
|- style="background:#98FB98;"
|2021||50,144||6th||21,209
|-
|- style="background:Silver;"
|2022||55,394||2nd||29,424
|-
|- style="background:#98FB98;"
|2023||65,332||8th||32,824
|-
|- style="background:Silver;"
|2024||'''75,277'''||2nd||'''38,202'''
|}

==Club honour boards==
===Honour board===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
|-
!Year
!Posn
!Coach
!Captain
!Best & Fairest
!Leading goalkicker (goals)
|-  valign="top"
|align=center|1897
|align=center| 5
|align=center| [[Bill Fraser (Australian footballer)|Bill Fraser]]
|align=center| Bill Fraser
|align=center| 
|align=center| [[Dinny McKay]] (14)
|-
|align=center|1898
|align=center| 5
|align=center| Bill Fraser
|align=center| Bill Fraser
|align=center| 
|align=center| [[Charlie Colgan]] (13)
|-
|align=center|1899
|align=center| 6
|align=center| [[Dave Adamson (Australian footballer)|Dave Adamson]]
|align=center| Dave Adamson
|align=center| 
|align=center| [[Charlie Colgan]] (27)
|-
|align=center|1900
|align=center| 5
|align=center| [[George Davidson (footballer)|George Davidson]], [[Bill Windley]]
|align=center| George Davidson, Bill Windley
|align=center| 
|align=center| [[Harry Lampe]] (16)
|-
|align=center|1901
|align=center| 6
|align=center| [[Albert Trim]]
|align=center| Albert Trim
|align=center| 
|align=center| [[Harry Lampe]] (20)
|-
|align=center|1902
|align=center| 5
|align=center| [[Bill Windley]]
|align=center| Bill Windley
|align=center| 
|align=center| [[Charlie Goding]] (19)
|-
|align=center|1903
|align=center| 8
|align=center| [[Tom Fogarty (footballer, born 1878)|Tom Fogarty]]
|align=center| Tom Fogarty
|align=center| 
|align=center| [[Charlie Goding]] (10)
|-
|align=center|1904
|align=center| 5
|align=center| [[Bill McGee]]
|align=center| Bill McGee
|align=center| 
|align=center| [[Charles Clements]] (37)
|-
|align=center|1905
|align=center| 5
|align=center| Bill McGee, Tom Fogarty
|align=center| Bill McGee, Tom Fogarty
|align=center| 
|align=center| [[Charles Clements]] (31)
|-
|align=center|1906
|align=center| 5
|align=center| [[Herb Howson]]
|align=center| Herb Howson
|align=center| 
|align=center| [[Len Mortimer]] (24)
|-
|align=center|1907
|align=center| 2
|align=center| [[Bill Dolphin]]
|align=center| Bill Dolphin
|align=center| 
|align=center| [[Len Mortimer]] (37)
|-
|align=center|1908
|align=center| 5
|align=center| [[Bill Dolphin]]
|align=center| Bill Dolphin
|align=center| 
|align=center| [[Len Mortimer]] (40)
|-
|align=center|1909
|align=center| 1
|align=center| [[Charlie Ricketts]]
|align=center| Charlie Ricketts
|align=center| 
|align=center| [[Len Mortimer]] (50)
|-
|align=center|1910
|align=center| 3
|align=center| [[Charlie Ricketts]]
|align=center| Charlie Ricketts
|align=center| 
|align=center| [[Len Mortimer]] (28)
|-
|align=center|1911
|align=center| 4
|align=center| [[Bill Thomas]]
|align=center| Bill Thomas
|align=center| 
|align=center| [[Len Mortimer]] (44)
|-
|align=center|1912
|align=center| 2
|align=center| [[Charlie Ricketts]]
|align=center| Charlie Ricketts
|align=center| 
|align=center| [[Len Mortimer]] (40)
|-
|align=center|1913
|align=center| 3
|align=center| [[Harvey Kelly]]
|align=center| Vic Belcher
|align=center| 
|align=center| [[Bill Strang (footballer)|Bill Strang]] (29)
|-
|align=center|1914
|align=center| 2
|align=center| [[Vic Belcher]]
|align=center| Vic Belcher
|align=center| 
|align=center| [[Jack Freeman (Australian rules footballer)|Jack Freeman]] (36)
|-
|align=center|1915
|align=center| 5
|align=center| [[Vic Belcher]]
|align=center| Vic Belcher
|align=center| 
|align=center| [[Harry Morgan]] (35)
|-
|align=center|1916
|align=center| –
|align=center colspan=4|Did not compete due to [[World War I]]
|-
|align=center|1917
|align=center| 4
|align=center| [[Vic Belcher]]
|align=center| Vic Belcher
|align=center| 
|align=center| [[Harry Morgan]] (23)
|-
|align=center|1918
|align=center| 1
|align=center| [[Bert Howson]], [[Sonny Elms]]
|align=center| Charlie Pannam
|align=center| 
|align=center| [[Gerald P. Ryan]] (32)
|-
|align=center|1919
|align=center| 3
|align=center| Bert Howson, Sonny Elms
|align=center| Jim Caldwell
|align=center| 
|align=center| [[Harold Robertson]] (38)
|-
|align=center|1920
|align=center| 5
|align=center| [[Arthur Hiskins]]
|align=center| Vic Belcher
|align=center| 
|align=center| [[Stan Wootton]] (28)
|-
|align=center|1921
|align=center| 7
|align=center| [[Artie Wood]]
|align=center| Carl Willis
|align=center| 
|align=center| [[Roy Cazaly]] (19)
|-
|align=center|1922
|align=center| 9
|align=center| [[Roy Cazaly]]
|align=center| Roy Cazaly, Mark Tandy
|align=center| 
|align=center| [[Roy Cazaly]] (28)
|-
|align=center|1923
|align=center| 3
|align=center| [[Charlie Pannam (footballer, born 1897)|Charlie Pannam]]
|align=center| Paddy Scanlan
|align=center| 
|align=center| [[Ted Johnson]] (40)
|-
|align=center|1924
|align=center| 6
|align=center| [[Charlie Pannam (footballer, born 1897)|Charlie Pannam]]
|align=center| Paddy Scanlan
|align=center| 
|align=center| [[Ted Johnson]] (60)
|-
|align=center|1925
|align=center| 8
|align=center| [[Charlie Pannam (footballer, born 1897)|Charlie Pannam]]
|align=center| Paddy Scanlan
|align=center| 
|align=center| [[Ted Johnson]] (60)
|-
|align=center|1926
|align=center| 5
|align=center| [[Charlie Pannam (footballer, born 1897)|Charlie Pannam]]
|align=center| Charlie Pannam
|align=center| [[Roy Cazaly]]
|align=center| [[Ted Johnson]] (45)
|-
|align=center|1927
|align=center| 6
|align=center| [[Charlie Pannam (footballer, born 1897)|Charlie Pannam]]
|align=center| Charlie Pannam
|align=center| [[Hec McKay]]
|align=center| [[Ted Johnson]] (50)
|-
|align=center|1928
|align=center| 10
|align=center| [[Charlie Pannam (footballer, born 1897)|Charlie Pannam]]
|align=center| Charlie Pannam, Joe Scanlan
|align=center| [[Len Thomas]]
|align=center| [[Ted Johnson]] (60)
|-
|align=center|1929
|align=center| 8
|align=center| [[Jim Caldwell (footballer)|Jim Caldwell]], [[Fred Fleiter]]
|align=center| Charlie Stanbridge
|align=center| [[Danny Wheelahan]]
|align=center| [[Austin Robertson Sr.]] (53)
|-
|align=center|1930
|align=center| 7
|align=center| [[Paddy Scanlan (footballer)|Paddy Scanlan]]
|align=center| Joe Scanlan
|align=center| [[Ron Hillis]]
|align=center| Austin Robertson Sr. (54)
|-
|align=center|1931
|align=center| 7
|align=center| [[Paddy Scanlan (footballer)|Paddy Scanlan]]
|align=center| Joe Scanlan
|align=center| [[Len Thomas]]
|align=center| Austin Robertson Sr. (38)
|-
|align=center|1932
|align=center| 4
|align=center| [[Johnny Leonard]]
|align=center| Johnny Leonard
|align=center| [[Bill Faul]]
|align=center| [[Bob Pratt]] (71)
|-
|align=center|1933
|align=center| 1
|align=center| [[Jack Bissett]]
|align=center| Jack Bissett
|align=center| [[Harry Clarke (Australian footballer, born 1905)|Harry Clarke]]
|align=center| Bob Pratt (109)
|-
|align=center|1934
|align=center| 2
|align=center| Jack Bissett
|align=center| Jack Bissett
|align=center| [[Terry Brain]]
|align=center| Bob Pratt (150)
|-
|align=center|1935
|align=center| 2
|align=center| Jack Bissett
|align=center| Jack Bissett
|align=center| [[Ron Hillis]]
|align=center| Bob Pratt (103)
|-
|align=center|1936
|align=center| 2
|align=center| Jack Bissett
|align=center| Jack Bissett
|align=center| [[Herbie Matthews]]
|align=center| Bob Pratt (64)
|-
|align=center|1937
|align=center| 9
|align=center| [[Roy Cazaly]]
|align=center| [[Laurie Nash]]
|align=center| Herbie Matthews
|align=center| Laurie Nash (37)
|-
|align=center|1938
|align=center| 12
|align=center| Roy Cazaly
|align=center| Herbie Matthews
|align=center| [[Len Thomas]]
|align=center| [[Roy Moore (Australian footballer)|Roy Moore]] (34)
|-
|align=center|1939
|align=center| 12
|align=center| Herbie Matthews
|align=center| Herbie Matthews
|align=center| Herbie Matthews
|align=center| Bob Pratt (72)
|-
|align=center|1940
|align=center| 10
|align=center| Herbie Matthews
|align=center| Herbie Matthews
|align=center| Herbie Matthews
|align=center| [[Lou Reiffel]] (33)
|-
|align=center|1941
|align=center| 8
|align=center| [[Joe Kelly (footballer, born 1907)|Joe Kelly]]
|align=center| Herbie Matthews
|align=center| [[Reg Ritchie]]
|align=center| [[Jack Graham (Australian footballer, born 1916)|Jack Graham]] (33)
|-
|align=center|1942
|align=center| 3
|align=center| Joe Kelly
|align=center| Herbie Matthews
|align=center| [[Jim Cleary (Australian footballer)|Jim Cleary]]
|align=center| [[Lindsay White]] (80)
|-
|align=center|1943
|align=center| 8
|align=center| Joe Kelly
|align=center| Herbie Matthews
|align=center| Herbie Matthews
|align=center| [[Charlie Culph]] (35)
|-
|align=center|1944
|align=center| 7
|align=center| Joe Kelly
|align=center| Herbie Matthews
|align=center| Jim Cleary
|align=center| [[Ron Hartridge]] (31)
|-
|align=center|1945
|align=center| 2
|align=center| William Adams
|align=center| Herbie Matthews
|align=center| Jack Graham
|align=center| Laurie Nash (56)
|-
|align=center|1946
|align=center| 7
|align=center| William Adams
|align=center| Jack Graham
|align=center| [[Bill Williams (Australian rules footballer)|Bill Williams]]
|align=center| [[Harry Mears]] (32)
|-
|align=center|1947
|align=center| 8
|align=center| William Adams
|align=center| Jack Graham
|align=center| Bill Williams
|align=center| Bill Williams (38)
|-
|align=center|1948
|align=center| 10
|align=center| William Adams, [[Jack Hale (Australian footballer)|Jack Hale]]
|align=center| Jack Graham
|align=center| [[Ron Clegg]]
|align=center| Jack Graham (32)
|-
|align=center|1949
|align=center| 10
|align=center| Jack Hale
|align=center| [[Bert Lucas]]
|align=center| Ron Clegg
|align=center| [[Dick Jones (Australian footballer)|Dick Jones]] (27)
|-
|align=center|1950
|align=center| 11
|align=center| [[Gordon Lane]]
|align=center| Gordon Lane
|align=center| [[Bill Williams (Australian rules footballer)|Bill Williams]]
|align=center| Gordon Lane (47)
|-
|align=center|1951
|align=center| 8
|align=center| Gordon Lane
|align=center| Gordon Lane
|align=center| Ron Clegg
|align=center| Bill Williams (41)
|-
|align=center|1952
|align=center| 5
|align=center| Gordon Lane
|align=center| Gordon Lane
|align=center| [[Keith Schaefer]]
|align=center| Gordon Lane (33)
|-
|align=center|1953
|align=center| 8
|align=center| Laurie Nash
|align=center| Ron Clegg
|align=center| [[Jim Taylor (Australian footballer)|Jim Taylor]]
|align=center| [[Ian Gillett]] (34)
|-
|align=center|1954
|align=center| 10
|align=center| Herbie Matthews
|align=center| Ron Clegg
|align=center| [[Eddie Lane]]
|align=center| Eddie Lane (28)
|-
|align=center|1955
|align=center| 10
|align=center| Herbie Matthews
|align=center| [[Bill Gunn (footballer, born 1932)|Bill Gunn]]
|align=center| Ian Gillett
|align=center| Eddie Lane (36)
|-
|align=center|1956
|align=center| 9
|align=center| Herbie Matthews
|align=center| Ian Gillett
|align=center| [[Jim Dorgan]]
|align=center| Bill Gunn (28)
|-
|align=center|1957
|align=center| 10
|align=center| Herbie Matthews
|align=center| Ron Clegg
|align=center| Jim Taylor
|align=center| [[Fred Goldsmith (Australian rules footballer)|Fred Goldsmith]] (43)
|-
|align=center|1958
|align=center| 9
|align=center| Ron Clegg
|align=center| Ron Clegg
|align=center| [[Bob Skilton]]
|align=center| [[Max Oaten]] (34)
|-
|align=center|1959
|align=center| 9
|align=center| Ron Clegg
|align=center| Ron Clegg
|align=center| Bob Skilton
|align=center| Bob Skilton (60)
|-
|align=center|1960
|align=center| 8
|align=center| Bill Faul
|align=center| Ron Clegg
|align=center| [[Frank Johnson (footballer, born 1932)|Frank Johnson]]
|align=center| Max Oaten (39)
|-
|align=center|1961
|align=center| 11
|align=center| Bill Faul
|align=center| Bob Skilton
|align=center| Bob Skilton
|align=center| [[Brian McGowan (footballer)|Brian McGowan]] (38)
|-
|align=center|1962
|align=center| 12
|align=center| [[Noel McMahen]]
|align=center| Bob Skilton
|align=center| Bob Skilton
|align=center| Bob Skilton (36)
|-
|align=center|1963
|align=center| 11
|align=center| Noel McMahen
|align=center| Bob Skilton
|align=center| Bob Skilton
|align=center| Bob Skilton (36)
|-
|align=center|1964
|align=center| 11
|align=center| Noel McMahen
|align=center| Bob Skilton
|align=center| Bob Skilton
|align=center| [[Max Papley]] (25)
|-
|align=center|1965
|align=center| 8
|align=center| Bob Skilton
|align=center| Bob Skilton
|align=center| Bob Skilton
|align=center| [[Bob Kingston]] (48)
|-
|align=center|1966
|align=center| 8
|align=center| Bob Skilton
|align=center| Bob Skilton
|align=center| Max Papley
|align=center| [[Austin Robertson Jr.]] (60)
|-
|align=center|1967
|align=center| 9
|align=center| [[Alan Miller (football coach)|Alan Miller]]
|align=center| Bob Skilton
|align=center| Bob Skilton
|align=center| [[John Sudholz]] (35)
|-
|align=center|1968
|align=center| 9
|align=center| Alan Miller
|align=center| Bob Skilton
|align=center| Bob Skilton
|align=center| John Sudholz (36)
|-
|align=center|1969
|align=center| 9
|align=center| [[Norm Smith]]
|align=center| Bob Skilton
|align=center| [[Peter Bedford (sportsman)|Peter Bedford]]
|align=center| John Sudholz (35)
|-
|align=center|1970
|align=center| 4
|align=center| Norm Smith
|align=center| Bob Skilton
|align=center| Peter Bedford
|align=center| John Sudholz (62)
|-
|align=center|1971
|align=center| 12
|align=center| Norm Smith
|align=center| Bob Skilton
|align=center| Peter Bedford
|align=center| Peter Bedford (44)
|-
|align=center|1972
|align=center| 11
|align=center| Norm Smith
|align=center| [[John Rantall]]
|align=center| [[Russell Cook (footballer)|Russell Cook]]
|align=center| Peter Bedford (28)
|-
|align=center|1973
|align=center| 12
|align=center| [[Graeme John]]
|align=center| Peter Bedford
|align=center| Peter Bedford
|align=center| Peter Bedford (52)
|-
|align=center|1974
|align=center| 9
|align=center| Graeme John
|align=center| Peter Bedford
|align=center| [[Norm Goss Jr.]]
|align=center| Norm Goss Jr. (37)
|-
|align=center|1975
|align=center| 12
|align=center| Graeme John
|align=center| Peter Bedford
|align=center| Peter Bedford
|align=center| [[Graham Teasdale]] (38)
|-
|align=center|1976
|align=center| 8
|align=center| [[Ian Stewart (Australian footballer)|Ian Stewart]]
|align=center| Peter Bedford
|align=center| [[Rick Quade]]
|align=center| [[Robert Dean (footballer)|Robert Dean]] (37)
|-
|align=center|1977
|align=center| 5
|align=center| Ian Stewart
|align=center| Rick Quade
|align=center| Graham Teasdale
|align=center| Graham Teasdale (38)
|-
|align=center|1978
|align=center| 8
|align=center| [[Des Tuddenham]]
|align=center| Rick Quade
|align=center| [[John Murphy (Australian rules footballer)|John Murphy]]
|align=center| John Murphy (31)
|-
|align=center|1979
|align=center| 10
|align=center| Ian Stewart
|align=center| Rick Quade
|align=center| [[Barry Round]]
|align=center| [[Tony Morwood]] (56)
|-
|align=center|1980
|align=center| 6
|align=center| Ian Stewart
|align=center| Barry Round
|align=center| [[David Ackerly]]
|align=center| [[John Roberts (footballer, born 1956)|John Roberts]] (67)
|-
|align=center|1981
|align=center| 9
|align=center| Ian Stewart
|align=center| Barry Round
|align=center| Barry Round
|align=center| John Roberts (51)
|-
|align=center|1982
|align=center| 7
|align=center| Rick Quade
|align=center| Barry Round
|align=center| David Ackerly
|align=center| Tony Morwood (45)
|-
|align=center|1983
|align=center| 11
|align=center| Rick Quade
|align=center| Barry Round
|align=center| [[Mark Browning]]
|align=center| [[Craig Braddy]] (48)
|-
|align=center|1984
|align=center| 10
|align=center| Rick Quade, Bob Hammond
|align=center| Barry Round, Mark Browning
|align=center| [[Bernie Evans]]
|align=center| [[Warwick Capper]] (39)
|-
|align=center|1985
|align=center| 10
|align=center| [[John Northey]]
|align=center| Mark Browning
|align=center| [[Stephen Wright (Australian rules footballer)|Stephen Wright]]
|align=center| Warwick Capper (45)
|-
|align=center|1986
|align=center| 4
|align=center| [[Tom Hafey]]
|align=center| [[Dennis Carroll]]
|align=center| [[Gerard Healy]]
|align=center| Warwick Capper (92)
|-
|align=center|1987
|align=center| 4
|align=center| Tom Hafey
|align=center| Dennis Carroll
|align=center| Gerard Healy
|align=center| Warwick Capper (103)
|-
|align=center|1988
|align=center| 7
|align=center| Tom Hafey
|align=center| Dennis Carroll
|align=center| Gerard Healy
|align=center| [[Barry Mitchell (footballer)|Barry Mitchell]] (35)
|-
|align=center| 1989
|align=center| 7
|align=center|[[Col Kinnear]]
|align=center| Dennis Carroll
|align=center| [[Mark Bayes]]
|align=center| [[Bernard Toohey]] (27)
|-
|align=center| 1990
|align=center| 13
|align=center| Col Kinnear
|align=center| Dennis Carroll
|align=center| Stephen Wright
|align=center| [[Jim West (footballer)|Jim West]] (34)
|-
|align=center| 1991
|align=center| 12
|align=center| Col Kinnear
|align=center| Dennis Carroll
|align=center| Barry Mitchell
|align=center| [[Jason Love (footballer)|Jason Love]] (52)
|-
|align=center| 1992
|align=center| 15
|align=center| [[Gary Buckenara]]
|align=center| Dennis Carroll
|align=center| [[Paul Kelly (Australian rules footballer)|Paul Kelly]]
|align=center| [[Simon Minton-Connell]] (60)
|-
|align=center| 1993
|align=center| 15
|align=center| Gary Buckenara, [[Brett Scott]], [[Ron Barassi]]
|align=center| Paul Kelly
|align=center| Paul Kelly
|align=center| Simon Minton-Connell (41)
|-
|align=center| 1994
|align=center| 15
|align=center| [[Ron Barassi]]
|align=center| Paul Kelly
|align=center| [[Daryn Cresswell]]
|align=center| Simon Minton-Connell (68)
|-
|align=center| 1995
|align=center| 12
|align=center| [[Ron Barassi]]
|align=center| Paul Kelly
|align=center| [[Tony Lockett]]
|align=center| Tony Lockett (110)
|-
|align=center| 1996
|align=center| 2
|align=center| [[Rodney Eade]]
|align=center| Paul Kelly
|align=center| Paul Kelly
|align=center| Tony Lockett (121)
|-
|align=center| 1997
|align=center| 7
|align=center| Rodney Eade
|align=center| Paul Kelly
|align=center| Paul Kelly
|align=center| Tony Lockett (37)
|-
|align=center| 1998
|align=center| 5
|align=center| Rodney Eade
|align=center| Paul Kelly
|align=center| [[Michael O'Loughlin]]
|align=center| Tony Lockett (109)
|-
|align=center| 1999
|align=center| 8
|align=center| Rodney Eade
|align=center| Paul Kelly
|align=center| [[Wayne Schwass]]
|align=center| Tony Lockett (82)
|-
|align=center| 2000
|align=center| 10
|align=center| Rodney Eade
|align=center| Paul Kelly
|align=center| [[Andrew Schauble]]
|align=center| Michael O'Loughlin (53)
|-
|align=center| 2001
|align=center| 7
|align=center| Rodney Eade
|align=center| Paul Kelly
|align=center| [[Paul Williams (Australian rules footballer)|Paul Williams]]
|align=center| Michael O'Loughlin (35)
|-
|align=center| 2002
|align=center| 11
|align=center| Rodney Eade, [[Paul Roos (footballer)|Paul Roos]]
|align=center| Paul Kelly
|align=center| Paul Williams
|align=center| [[Barry Hall]] (55)
|-
|align=center| 2003
|align=center| 4
|align=center| Paul Roos
|align=center| [[Stuart Maxfield]]
|align=center| [[Adam Goodes]]
|align=center| Barry Hall (64)
|-
|align=center| 2004
|align=center| 5
|align=center| Paul Roos
|align=center| Stuart Maxfield
|align=center| Barry Hall
|align=center| Barry Hall (74)
|-
|align=center| 2005
|align=center| 1
|align=center| Paul Roos
|align=center| Stuart Maxfield{{efn|name=note1|text=Six rounds into the 2005 season, Stuart Maxfield ended his playing career due to chronic injury. Six players rotated as captain throughout the rest of the season: [[Brett Kirk]], [[Leo Barry]], [[Barry Hall]], [[Ben Mathews]], [[Adam Goodes]] and [[Jude Bolton]].}} 
|align=center| [[Brett Kirk]]
|align=center| Barry Hall (80)
|-
|align=center| 2006
|align=center| 2
|align=center| Paul Roos
|align=center| Barry Hall, Brett Kirk and Leo Barry
|align=center| Adam Goodes
|align=center| Barry Hall (78)
|-
|align=center| 2007
|align=center| 7
|align=center| Paul Roos
|align=center| Barry Hall, Brett Kirk and Leo Barry
|align=center| Brett Kirk
|align=center| Barry Hall (44)
|-
|align=center| 2008
|align=center| 6
|align=center| Paul Roos
|align=center| Brett Kirk, Leo Barry and Craig Bolton
|align=center| [[Jarrad McVeigh]]
|align=center| Barry Hall (41)
|-
|align=center| 2009
|align=center| 12
|align=center| Paul Roos
|align=center| Brett Kirk, Adam Goodes and Craig Bolton
|align=center| Ryan O'Keefe
|align=center| Adam Goodes (38)
|-
|align=center| 2010
|align=center| 5
|align=center| Paul Roos
|align=center| Brett Kirk, Adam Goodes and Craig Bolton
|align=center| [[Kieren Jack]]
|align=center| Adam Goodes (44)
|-
|align=center| 2011
|align=center| 6
|align=center| [[John Longmire]]
|align=center| Adam Goodes and Jarrad McVeigh<ref name=":1">Brettig, Daniel (15 February 2011). [http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-sport/goodes-mcveigh-named-as-swans-cocaptains-20110215-1augz.html Goodes, McVeigh named as Swans co-captains]. ''[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]''. Retrieved 19 February 2011.</ref>
|align=center| Adam Goodes
|align=center| Adam Goodes (41)
|-
|align=center| 2012
|align=center| 1
|align=center| John Longmire
|align=center| Adam Goodes and Jarrad McVeigh
|align=center| [[Josh P. Kennedy|Josh Kennedy]]
|align=center| [[Lewis Jetta]] (45)
|-
|align=center| 2013
|align=center| 4
|align=center| John Longmire
|align=center| Kieren Jack and Jarrad McVeigh
|align=center| Jarrad McVeigh
|align=center| [[Kurt Tippett]] (35)
|-
|align=center| 2014
|align=center| 2
|align=center| John Longmire
|align=center| Kieren Jack and Jarrad McVeigh
|align=center| Luke Parker
|align=center| [[Lance Franklin]] (79)
|-
|align=center| 2015
|align=center| 5
|align=center| John Longmire
|align=center| Kieren Jack and Jarrad McVeigh
|align=center| Josh Kennedy
|align=center| Lance Franklin (47)
|-
|align=center| 2016
|align=center| 2
|align=center| John Longmire
|align=center| Kieren Jack and Jarrad McVeigh
|align=center| Josh Kennedy
|align=center| Lance Franklin (81)
|-
|align=center| 2017
|align=center| 5
|align=center| John Longmire
|align=center| Josh Kennedy
|align=center| Luke Parker
|align=center| Lance Franklin (73)
|-
|align=center|2018
|align=center|6
|align=center|John Longmire
|align=center|Josh Kennedy
|align=center|Jake Lloyd
|align=center|Lance Franklin (57)
|-
|align=center|2019
|align=center|15
|align=center|John Longmire
|align=center|Josh Kennedy, Dane Rampe and Luke Parker
|align=center|Dane Rampe
|align=center|[[Tom Papley]] (37)
|-
|align=center|2020
|align=center|16
|align=center|John Longmire
|align=center|Josh Kennedy, Dane Rampe and Luke Parker
|align=center|Jake Lloyd
|align=center|Tom Papley (26)
|-
|align=center|2021
|align=center|7
|align=center|John Longmire
|align=center|Josh Kennedy, Dane Rampe and Luke Parker
|align=center|Luke Parker
|align=center|Lance Franklin (51)
|-
|align=center|2022
|align=center|2
|align=center|John Longmire
|align=center|Callum Mills, Dane Rampe and Luke Parker
|align=center|Callum Mills
|align=center|Lance Franklin (52)
|-
|align=center|2023
|align=center|8
|align=center|John Longmire
|align=center|Callum Mills, Dane Rampe and Luke Parker
|align=center|[[Errol Gulden]]
|align=center|Tom Papley (37)
|-
|align=center|2024
|align=center|2
|align=center|John Longmire
|align=center|Callum Mills
|align=center|[[Isaac Heeney]]
|align=center|[[Joel Amartey]] (43)
|}

===Team of the century===
Sydney announced its team of the century on 8 August 2003:

{{Sydney Swans Team of the Century|state=expanded}}

===Hall of fame===
{{Australian football Hall of Fame
|Current team Name = Sydney Swans
|   All Team Names = Sydney Swans
|          ColorA# = ED171F
|          ColorB# = FFFFFF
|          ColorC# = ED171F
|          ColorD# = FFFFFF
|
|      Team Name 1 = '''Individuals'''
|         List 1.1 = 
'''[[Peter Bedford (sportsman)|Peter Bedford]]'''<br/>
[[David Ackerly]]<br/>
[[Jack Bisset]]<br/>
[[Mark Browning]]<br/>
[[Rod Carter]]<br/>
'''[[Jared Crouch]]'''<br />
'''[[Paul Kelly (Australian rules footballer)|Paul Kelly]]'''<br />
[[William Faul]]<br />
'''[[Barry Hall]]'''<br />
[[Herb Howson]]<br / >
[[Barry Mitchell (footballer)|Barry Mitchell]]<br / >
[[Bill Windley]]<br / >
'''''[[Bob Skilton]]'''''<br / >
[[Ron Hillis]]<br / >
[[Tadhg Kennelly]]

|         List 1.2 =

Craig Kimberley<br />
[[Denis McKay]]<br />
[[Tony Morwood]]<br/>
'''[[Michael O'Loughlin]]'''<br/>
[[Charlie Ricketts]]<br />
[[Bruce Sloss]]<br/>
[[Len Thomas]]<br />
'''[[Greg Williams (Australian footballer)|Greg Williams]]'''<br / >
Jimmy Young<br />
'''[[Peter Burns (footballer, born 1866)|Peter Burns]]'''<br / >
'''[[Paul Roos (Australian rules footballer)|Paul Roos]]'''<br / >
[[Bernard Toohey]]<br / >
[[Dennis Carroll]]<br / >
[[Stuart Maxfield]]<br / >
[[Len Mortimer]]

|         List 1.3 =

[[Leo Barry]]<br/>
[[Craig Bolton]]<br />
[[Jim Caldwell (footballer)|Jim Caldwell]]<br />
'''''[[Roy Cazaly]]'''''<br />
[[Andrew Dunkley]]<br />
[[Fred Goldsmith (Australian footballer)|Fred Goldsmith]]<br />
'''[[Gerard Healy]]'''<br />
'''[[Herbie Matthews]]'''<br />
[[Graeme John]]<br />
[[Brett Kirk]]<br / >
'''[[Laurie Nash]]'''<br / >
[[Adam Goodes]]<br / >
[[Harry Clarke (Australian footballer, born 1905)|Harry Clarke]]<br / >
[[Ryan O'Keefe]]<br / >
[[Ted Richards]]

|         List 1.4 =

[[David McLeish (Australian footballer)|David McLeish]]<br />
[[David Murphy (Australian rules footballer)|David Murphy]]<br />
[[Rick Quade]]<br />
[[Lewis Roberts-Thomson]]<br />
'''[[Mark Tandy (footballer)|Mark Tandy]]'''<br />
[[Bill Thomas (Australian footballer)|William Thomas]]<br />
[[Paul Williams (Australian rules footballer)|Paul Williams]]<br />
[[Stephen Wright (Australian rules footballer)|Stephen Wright]]<br / >
[[Graham Teasdale]]<br / >
[[Ted Johnson (footballer, born 1901)|Edward Johnson]]<br / >
'''[[John Rantall]]'''<br / >
[[Terry Brain]]<br / >
[[Bernie Evans]]<br / >
'''[[Barry Round]]'''

|         List 1.5 =

[[Mark Bayes]]<br />
'''[[Ron Clegg]]'''<br />
[[Jude Bolton]] <br />
'''''[[Bob Pratt]]'''''<br />
[[Warwick Capper]]<br />
[[Jim Cleary (Australian footballer)|Jim Cleary]]<br />
[[Henry Elms]]<br />
[[Jack Graham (Australian footballer, born 1916)|Jack Graham]]<br / >
[[John Heriot (footballer)|John Heriot]]<br / >
'''[[Tony Lockett]]'''<br / >
[[Jim Taylor (Australian footballer)|Jim Taylor]]<br / >
'''[[Vic Belcher]]'''<br / >
[[Bill Gunn (footballer, born 1932)|Bill Gunn]]<br / >
[[Bill Williams (Australian footballer)|Billy Williams]]
|}}

==Achievements==
===Club achievements===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
| colspan="4" style="background:#bdb76b;" align="center"| '''Premierships'''
|- style="background:#bdb76b;"
!Competition
!Level
!Wins
!Years Won
|-
|'''[[Australian Football League]]'''||Seniors||5||[[1909 VFL Grand Final|1909]], [[1918 VFL Grand Final|1918]], [[1933 VFL Grand Final|1933]], [[2005 AFL Grand Final|2005]], [[2012 AFL Grand Final|2012]]
|-
|'''[[Victorian Football League|Victorian Football Association]]''' <small>(1879–1896)</small>||Seniors||5||[[1881 VFA season|1881]], [[1885 VFA season|1885]], [[1888 VFA season|1888]], [[1889 VFA season|1887]], [[1890 VFA season|1890]]
|-
||'''[[AFL Canberra]]''' <small>(2003–2010)</small>||Reserves||4||[[AFL Canberra#Men's Grand Finals|2005]], [[AFL Canberra#Men's Grand Finals|2006]], [[AFL Canberra#Men's Grand Finals|2007]], [[AFL Canberra#Men's Grand Finals|2008]]
|-
|'''[[AFL Under-19s]]'''||Under 19s||1||[[List of VFL/AFL premiers#VFL/AFL Thirds/Under-19s premierships|1956]]
|-
| colspan="4" style="background:#bdb76b;" align="center"| '''Other titles and honours'''
|-
|'''[[VFL Night Series]]'''||Seniors||3||[[1956 Night Series Cup|1956]], [[1957 Night Series Cup|1957]], [[1960 Night Series Cup|1960]]
|-
|'''[[Australian Football Championships Night Series|AFC Night Series]]'''||Seniors||1||[[1982 AFC Night Series|1982]]
|-
|'''[[McClelland Trophy]]'''||Various||3||[[1996 AFL season|1996]], [[2014 AFL season|2014]], [[2016 AFL season|2016]]
|-
| colspan="4" style="background:#bdb76b;" align="center"| '''Finishing positions'''
|-
|rowspan=3 scope="row" style="text-align: left"| '''[[Australian Football League]]'''||[[List of VFL/AFL minor premiers|Minor premiership]]||10||[[1909 VFL season|1909]], [[1912 VFL season|1912]], [[1918 VFL season|1918]], [[1935 VFL season|1935]], [[1936 VFL season|1936]], [[1945 VFL season|1945]], [[1996 AFL season|1996]], [[2014 AFL season|2014]], [[2016 AFL season|2016]], [[2024 AFL season|2024]]
|-
||[[AFL Grand Final|Grand Finalist]]||14||[[1899 VFL Grand Final|1899]], [[1907 VFL Grand Final|1907]], [[1912 VFL Grand Final|1912]], [[1914 VFL Grand Final|1914]], [[1934 VFL Grand Final|1934]], [[1935 VFL Grand Final|1935]], [[1936 VFL Grand Final|1936]], [[1945 VFL Grand Final|1945]], [[1996 AFL Grand Final|1996]], [[2006 AFL Grand Final|2006]], [[2014 AFL Grand Final|2014]], [[2016 AFL Grand Final|2016]], [[2022 AFL Grand Final|2022]], [[2024 AFL Grand Final|2024]]
|-
||[[List of VFL/AFL wooden spoons|Wooden spoons]]||11||[[1903 VFL season|1903]], [[1922 VFL season|1922]], [[1938 VFL season|1938]], [[1939 VFL season|1939]], [[1962 VFL season|1962]], [[1971 VFL season|1971]], [[1973 VFL season|1973]], [[1975 VFL season|1975]], [[1992 AFL season|1992]], [[1993 AFL season|1993]], [[1994 AFL season|1994]]
|-
|rowspan=3 scope="row" style="text-align: left"| '''[[AFL Women's]]'''||[[List of AFL Women's minor premiers|Minor premiership]]||0||
|-
||[[AFL Women's Grand Final|Grand Finalist]]||0||
|-
||[[List of VFL/AFL wooden spoons#AFL Women's|Wooden spoons]]||1||[[2022 AFL Women's season 7|2022 (S7)]]
|}

===Individual achievements===
{{col-float |firstcol=18em}}
'''Bob Skilton Medal (Club best and fairest)'''
{{main|Bob Skilton Medal}}

'''Brownlow Medal (League best and fairest)'''
* [[Herbie Matthews]] – 1940
* [[Ron Clegg]] – 1949
* [[Fred Goldsmith (Australian rules footballer)|Fred Goldsmith]] – 1955
* [[Bob Skilton]] – 1959, 1963, 1968
* [[Peter Bedford (sportsman)|Peter Bedford]] – 1970
* [[Graham Teasdale]] – 1977
* [[Barry Round]] – 1981
* [[Greg Williams (Australian footballer)|Greg Williams]] – 1986
* [[Gerard Healy]] – 1988
* [[Paul Kelly (Australian rules footballer)|Paul Kelly]] – 1995
* [[Adam Goodes]] – 2003, 2006
{{col-float-break |nextcol=18em}}
'''Norm Smith Medal (AFL Grand Final best on ground)'''
* [[Ryan O'Keefe]] – 2012

'''Leigh Matthews Trophy (AFLPA Most Valuable Player)'''
* [[Gerard Healy]] – 1988

'''Coleman Medal (Leading Goal Kicker)'''
*[[Tony Lockett]] – 1996, 1998
*[[Lance Franklin]] – 2014, 2017

'''AFL Rising Star (Best player under 21)'''
*[[Adam Goodes]] – 1999
*[[Dan Hannebery]] – 2010
*[[Callum Mills]] – 2016
{{col-float-end}}

== Records ==
* '''Most games''' – [[Adam Goodes]] (372)
* '''Most goals''' – [[Bob Pratt]] (681)
* '''Most goals in match''' – [[Tony Lockett]] (16), Round 19, [[1995 AFL season|1995]] v [[Fitzroy Football Club|Fitzroy]] at [[Western Oval]]
* '''Most goals in a season''' – [[Bob Pratt]] (150) in 1934
* '''Most games coached''' – [[John Longmire]] (300)
* '''Highest score''' – 36.20 (236) vs Essendon 11.7 (73), Round 17, 1987
* '''Lowest score''' – South Melbourne 0.5 (5) vs Carlton 3.6 (24), Round 8, 1899
* '''Lowest score since 1919''' – South Melbourne 1.9 (15) vs [[Geelong Football Club|Geelong]] 8.9 (57), Round 16, 1964
* '''Highest losing score''' – South Melbourne 24.10 (154) vs [[Melbourne Football Club|Melbourne]] 24.23 (167), Round 1, 1979
* '''Lowest winning score''' – South Melbourne 2.3 (15) vs Melbourne 1.7 (13), Round 6, 1898
* '''Lowest winning score since 1919''' – South Melbourne 4.15 (39) vs [[Fitzroy Football Club|Fitzroy]] 4.12 (36), Round 4, 1919
** '''Since 1920''' – South Melbourne 5.11 (41) vs St. Kilda 5.9 (39), Round 16, 1948
* '''Greatest Winning Margin'''
** '''As South Melbourne''' – (171 points) – South Melbourne 29.15 (189) vs St. Kilda 2.6 (18), Round 12, 1919
** '''As Sydney Swans''' – (171 points) – Sydney Swans 31.19 (205) vs West Coast Eagles 5.4 (34), Round 15, 2023
* '''Greatest Losing Margin''' – (165 points) – South Melbourne 2.7 (19) vs Essendon 28.16 (184), Round 18, 1964

==Activism==
===Same Sex Marriage===
During the [[Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey]], Sydney Swans supported the Yes vote.<ref name="nso">{{cite web|title=Sport|url=http://www.australianmarriageequality.org/sport-support/|website=Australian Marriage Equality|access-date=13 September 2017}}</ref>

===Voice to Parliament===
Sydney Swans is a supporter of the [[Voice to Parliament]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cross |first=Jarred |date=19 May 2023 |title=Sydney Swans support Voice to Parliament ahead of Sir Doug Nicholls Round |work=National Indigenous Times |url=https://nit.com.au/19-05-2023/6039/sydney-swans-support-voice-to-parliament-ahead-of-sir-doug-nicholls-round |access-date=20 May 2023}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Sports|Australia}}
* [[Australian rules football in New South Wales]]
* [[Sport in Australia]]
* [[Sport in New South Wales]]
{{Clear}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website}}

{{Sydney Swans|status=collapsed}}
{{Navboxes
|titlestyle = background:#ED171F; color:#ffffff
|list=
{{VFL/AFL minor premiers}}
{{VFL/AFL premiers}}
{{Australian Football League}}
{{AFL reserves}}
{{AFL Under-19s}}
{{NEAFL}}
{{VFL}}
{{Talent League}}
{{Aussie Rules in New South Wales}}
{{Sydney Sports Teams}}
}}

[[Category:Sydney Swans| ]]
[[Category:Australian Football League clubs]]
[[Category:Australian rules football clubs established in 1874]]
[[Category:Australian rules football clubs in Sydney]]
[[Category:Former Victorian Football League clubs]]
[[Category:1874 establishments in Australia]]
[[Category:Sports club and team relocations]]