Sydney chairman Andrew Pridham says there’s a possibility the club could yet play a home AFL final at the SCG for the first time in 11 years.
But Swans fans shouldn’t get their hopes too high.
Sydney, who lead the ladder going into this weekend’s final round, are contracted to play any finals home games this year at ANZ Stadium.
The AFL decides the venue for each finals contest.
It’s understood ANZ Stadium management would want some compensation for members and corporate partners if a game was switched to the SCG.
Earlier this year a deal was done to give their members access to three Swans matches at the SCG for each of the next three seasons after ANZ Stadium agreed to shift three 2016 Sydney home games from their venue.
Pridham said Swans fans had shown a strong preference for the SCG, but the matter was in the hands of the AFL and ANZ Stadium.
Asked about the chances of a Swans SCG home final this year Pridham said: “There’s always a chance, but I don’t think people should have high expectations. But it’s possible.”
He said the AFL was aware of the feelings of Swans supporters.
“But from a football perspective we’ve played 10 finals at ANZ Stadium and won eight of them and so either venue we have no fear of playing at,” Pridham said.
Swans’ co-captain Kieren Jack was similarly unconcerned about which venue would stage home finals from a competitive viewpoint.
The Swans have the same finals winning percentage at both grounds, having triumphed in four out of five at the SCG.
However, the iconic ground hasn’t staged a finals contest since Sydney’s epic 2005 semi-final against Geelong.
“If we earn the right to have a home final in Sydney it doesn’t really bother us where we play,” Jack said.
The classy midfielder was confident he would be fit to face Richmond at the SCG on Saturday after missing last weekend’s match against North Melbourne with an ankle injury.
The Tigers are just one of five teams to beat Sydney this season and have won their last three against the Swans.
“Richmond is a bit of a bogey side for us in recent times,” Jack said.
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