The Sydney Swans have managed to negotiate their way out of a deal with ANZ Stadium a year earlier than expected and will play all home games at the SCG effective immediately.
The news comes less than a month out from the Swans round one fixture, originally scheduled for ANZ Stadium at Homebush against Collingwood on March 26.
Two other fixtures, a round seven match-up against Essendon and a round-18 fixture against Carlton were the only other matches affected.
“We are extremely thankful to ANZ Stadium management for working with us to bring forward the end of our agreement, allowing us to return home a year earlier than anticipated,” Swans CEO Andrew Ireland said.
VIDEO: Welcome to our home! https://t.co/BInOdsOqz5 There have been plenty of great memories at the SCG. pic.twitter.com/8xdTUfHBLG
— Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) February 29, 2016
Swans members had been crying out for the permanent move to the SCG with the 46,000 capacity more than enough for most big home and away matches.
In total the Swans played 54-matches at the Sydney Olympics main stadium over a 14-year span.
“Along with ANZ Stadium management, I would like to thank the SCG Trust for not only accommodating the relocation of three matches at short notice, but also working with us to ensure that the complex ANZ commercial agreement could be reworked,” Ireland said.
Round 1 @sydneyswans v @CollingwoodFC will be huge. Glad to be able to bring all home games to @scg for our members in 2016. Homeward bound!
— Andrew Pridham (@Pridhamhq) February 29, 2016
With no more AFL to be played at the Homebush stadium in the immediate future, changing the ground to a more rectangular shape to suit the NRL season is now being considered.