The Sydney Swans' contentious $900,000 salary cap allowance is being paid by the AFL.
The Swans yesterday confirmed it was the league - and the not the club - which paid out the 9.8 per cent bonus.Rival clubs expressed dismay, saying it meant the AFL had effectively paid for Kurt Tippett to become a Sydney Swan.
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The Swans added Tippett to their premiership list in last year's pre-season draft.
But AFL boss Andrew Demetriou told the Herald Sun all clubs had signed off on the allowance about five years ago.
"It's not a secret. We went to the clubs and asked them as part of a unique cost - and the clubs all agreed," Demetriou said last night.
"It's a cost that other clubs don't incur."Clubs are also frustrated that the Swans are saving another $672,000 this season by listing six players as veterans - Adam Goodes, Jude Bolton, Ryan O'Keefe, Jarrad McVeigh, Nick Malceski and Lewis Roberts-Thompson.
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"It's the perfect storm up there," the club figure said, pointing out that the Swans have featured in the finals in 12 of the past 15 seasons.
The AFL is reviewing the cost of living allowance and is under pressure to scrap it to equalise the game.
But the Swans have indicated they will fight to keep the bonus - also afforded to Greater Western Sydney.
"That it is significantly more expensive to live in Sydney than in any other city in Australia is indisputable," Swans chief executive Andrew Ireland said in a statement.
"Our estimates suggest the true cost of living disparity is closer to 15 per cent and there is no shortage of evidence to support this.
"A major point of contention is the suggestion that we have stored the allowance and used it to recruit players, such as Kurt Tippett. That is simply incorrect.
"Every player contract at the Sydney Swans stipulates that the allowance must be paid in addition to the agreed contract figure.
"Every player has a manager, and every one of those managers is aware the club has the allowance. The allowance is also added to the standard contracts of rookie listed players.
"Like all clubs, each contract that is signed is reviewed by the AFL."
He said the Swans delisted or traded six senior players at the end of last year - Matt Spangher, Trent
Dennis-Lane, Mark Seaby, Jarred Moore, Brett Meredith and Nathan Gordon.
"This player movement opened up approximately $1 million in the club's salary cap," he said.
"Those players were replaced with draftees and, of course, Kurt Tippett."
Read more: http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-premiership/the-sydney-swans-contentious-900000-cost-of-living-allowance-is-being-paid-by-the-afl/story-e6frf3e3-1226603012508#ixzz2OI1lzdYT
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