The Sydney Swans are trying to maximise the opportunities in the Harbour City rather than campaign for a reinstatement of the cost of living allowance.
The Swans and cross-town rivals GWS have had a harder time retaining star players since the controversial COLA scheme was phased out.
The removal of COLA, announced in 2014 after rivals raged about Sydney's recruitment of Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippett, became official ahead of the 2017 season.
Utility Jordan Dawson (Adelaide) and midfielder George Hewett (Carlton) both left the Swans in the off-season for bigger deals.
The Giants' battle to retain players has been a major focus ever since their inception in 2012.
Swans chief executive Tom Harley admitted COLA being scrapped had made it trickier to balance out the list but the club refused to complain about it.
“It's clearly been a hot topic since COLA was abolished back in 2016, but the facts are what they are and it (Sydney) is extremely expensive,” Harley told SEN when asked about the cost of living in Sydney.
“At the same time, it's an extremely beautiful and prosperous place as well.
“Getting your foot into the property door is becoming more and more challenging.”
“As far as the reinstatement of cost of living (allowance), I won't even go there.
“I think it's incumbent on us as a club to really maximise those opportunities which are really here in Sydney when you play your footy up here.
“As far as the salary cap goes, we'll exhaust every cent we've possibly got, and in a lot of instances, that's to be competitive in housing.
“We're looking at the opportunities in Sydney as much as the pricing barriers, but the facts are the facts – when you take the emotion out of it, it's undeniable (Sydney is more expensive than other cities in Australia).”
The Swans will open their 2022 season with a blockbuster game against the Giants at Sydney's Olympic Stadium on March 19.
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