AFL Chief Executive Gillon McLachlan today announced the AFL had reached agreement with ANZ Stadium that all Sydney Swans’ finals matches for the 2016 Toyota AFL Finals Series, other than a potential cross-town match against the GWS Giants, would be played at the SCG.

Mr McLachlan said the AFL and ANZ Stadium had been in discussions around the contract for AFL Finals at the ground, which was due to conclude at the end of this season.

He said the two parties had agreed it was in the best interests of the Swans’ supporter base that the club played its finals at the SCG, unless the club met cross-town rival GWS Giants, where the greater capacity of the ANZ Stadium would serve football extremely well.

“I’d like to thank CEO Daryl Kerry and the ANZ Stadium Board for the extremely productive discussions we have been able to have and this is a win-win for both parties, with ANZ Stadium members having access to any Swans’ final played at the SCG and the Sydney fans being able to see their team play at the venue where they have so far played all matches through the 2016 season,” Mr McLachlan said.

“If the finals fixture produces a head-to-head match between the Swans and the Giants, this would possibly be the biggest game in NSW in the history of our sport and we would play that game at ANZ Stadium,” he said.

ANZ Stadium Chief Executive Officer Daryl Kerry said: “The AFL and Sydney Swans have been event partners of the Stadium since 2002 and it goes to the heart of our 14-year relationship that ANZ Stadium’s valued Members will have the opportunity to attend any Sydney Swans’ Finals matches scheduled at the SCG.

“There are also additional benefits for ANZ Stadium Members and, of course, ANZ Stadium will host any all-Sydney Final in 2016 featuring the Sydney Swans and GWS Giants.

“This would truly be a great event and a fitting farewell to AFL footy at Sydney’s Olympic stadium, which will soon be redeveloped as a world-class rectangular stadium as part of the NSW Government’s $1.6 billion investment in Sydney sporting infrastructure.”