Pridham, who addressed 700 guests including the Sydney Swans squad, coaching staff, media and fans, spoke openly about recent commentary about the club, congratulated Adam Goodes on his Australian of the Year award and welcomed new families to the club.
Pridham on negative commentary:
“I want to make a few things very, very clear,” Pridham told the room on Friday night.
“Our success is the result of honest, hard work and good management by honest hard-working people.
“Our financial position is stronger but not strong, and our membership is bigger, not big.
“I firmly believe that a strong Sydney Swans is vital for a strong national competition.
“Our determination to get better is unflinching.
“We do not cheat, we do no ask for handouts, and we do not belittle other clubs or the AFL.
“We wish all other clubs the best and support their efforts to improve.
“Please understand, all of our fans and members, that on all the important issues facing our club including dealing with public criticism by others, we take it very, very seriously.
“However, we choose to deal with it in what we believe is a professional, balanced and factual way outside the glare of the omnipresent football media.
“We see no value in commenting in a negative way about others, rather we choose to focus on being the very best club we can possibly be.”
On Adam Goodes:
“This player not only shines in a long line of champion Sydney Swans players, but in a long line of exciting Indigenous players,” he said.
“Adam Goodes has achieved almost everything imaginable for one person.
“331 games, two Brownlow Medals, two premierships, three Bob Skilton Medals, four times All-Australian, AFL Rising Star, premiership captain and now 2014 Australian of the Year.
“In the 1997 AFL National Draft, Adam was pick number 43 of 86 players selected.
“In 2014, Adam was pick number one out of 22.7 million candidates.
“Adam, we salute you and I genuinely wish to say on behalf of everyone here tonight, all the Swans supporters and all Australians that you’re a true champion, you’re an inspiration and you’ll forever be remembered as one of the greatest players and greatest human beings ever to represent this great club.”
His welcome to the parents:
“Each of you has given so much to give your son the opportunity to be here tonight,” he said.
“As a club we full understand this and our promise to you is that we will support your son in every way possible so that he can reach his full potential as a footballer and as a person.
“We believe that his time at the Swans is just a foundation, and whilst it will obviously be a critical time in your son’s life, it is just a beginning.
“We will do everything possible, will provide every assistance and will provide every possible resource to maximise the immense potential in your son.
“We cannot guarantee that your son will be a success, and ultimately this is up to him, but I can guarantee that the coaches, medical and fitness staff, administration staff, and Board, will do everything possible to assist him in his quest to be a happy and successful professional athlete and person.”
His welcome to the new players:
“Welcome, you join a club with a rich history,” he said.
“Make every day count and make your history here inspiring.
“South Melbourne provided the passion and Sydney provided the economic opportunity to build an even stronger club with a culture of confidence, success and integrity.
“We see each new player joining as adding to this history and culture.
“All that we ask of you is that you do your very best and that you always strive to add in a positive way to our collective history and continue to enforce that we are so proudly Sydney.
“Every moment, every action and every event, whether it’s a game, at a restaurant or on vacation, you represent this club.
“It is a 24/7 commitment.
“We expect you to represent us, your family and yourself in a way consistent with our values and culture.
“Always remember that coming together is the beginning, keeping together is progress, and working together is success.
“Know the culture, live the culture and then build on the culture.”
