"McLachlan also predicted the rivalry between Sydney and relative newcomers Greater Western Sydney would escalate quickly to the benefit of fans and the sport as a whole."
Manufacture the rivalry by penalising the Swans and taking them down a few notches to GWS level. GWS still haven't signed a raft of their younger players beyond 2015. The Vic clubs will line up to pinch them and then what does the AFL do? Ban teams from trading with the Giants?
If you end up with two weak Sydney teams it will impact this...
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-10-27/tv-rights-talks-loom
Manufacture the rivalry by penalising the Swans and taking them down a few notches to GWS level. GWS still haven't signed a raft of their younger players beyond 2015. The Vic clubs will line up to pinch them and then what does the AFL do? Ban teams from trading with the Giants?
If you end up with two weak Sydney teams it will impact this...
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-10-27/tv-rights-talks-loom