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GWS coach Leon Cameron has sympathised with cross-town rivals Sydney over the trade ban thrust on them by the AFL.
To retain their cost-of-living allowance for another two years before it’s phased out, the Swans were effectively barred from bringing in anyone other than delisted free agents.
Sydney, renowned for getting the most out of fringe players seeking a fresh start, will have the same restraints placed on them in next year’s trade period.
Critics have seen the AFL’s decision to cut Sydney’s privileges as simply punishing the grand finalists for recruiting Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippett.
Before the arrival of the superstar forwards, the Swans had signed the likes of Ted Richards, Rhyce Shaw, Josh Kennedy and Ben McGlynn in relatively low-key coups.
Cameron indicated he felt the Swans were hard done by, confirming the Giants were striving to reach the benchmark set by counterpart John Longmire in terms of bringing players to GWS.
“That’s a good question. It’s disappointing from Sydney’s point of view because you want to be able to be pro-active,” said Cameron.
“They’ve clearly shown the way over the last few years how to bring players into their footy club.
“We admire that; how the Swans have gone about that.
“And we admire what we’re starting to do – bringing talent and also mature-age players to our footy club.
“We’re becoming a club people want to come to so, if we can head down that track like Sydney, we’ll be rapt.”
Outgoing Swans football manager Dean Moore spoke of the club’s disappointment.
“Other clubs, including those at the top end of the ladder, have been able to use this period to recruit and strengthen their squads,” Moore said.
“This was not an opportunity afforded to us.
“It is … disappointing when players who wish to join our club are denied the opportunity, despite the club being willing to work on fair and equitable trades.”
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