Outgoing Sydney chairman Richard Colless has lashed AFL rivals for their objection and outrage resulting from the Swans' shock recruitment of Lance Franklin.
The Swans lodged the paperwork for an extraordinary nine-year, $10m offer for Franklin to the league on Friday, with officials still scrutinising the controversial contract.
But provided the AFL does not scupper the deal, which is not expected to happen, Franklin will become a Swan with Hawthorn not in a position to match their offer for the restricted free agent.
Sydney's cost of living allowance (COLA) is a part of all their players' contracts, but the fact it has helped move the league's highest-profile player to such a successful club hasn't gone down well.
Carlton coach Mick Malthouse accused the AFL of creating a "Frankenstein" this week, while Collingwood president Eddie McGuire said it was "ridiculous ... a straight-forward rort".
Colless didn't hold back in his last official address, at the Swans' best and fairest presentation on Friday night.
"I was given strict instructions by (new chairman) Andrew Pridham and (chief executive) Andrew Ireland not to go there and I won't," Colless said of "the matter in Melbourne".
"But this club was treated like a pariah by the VFL. We got ourselves out of it.
"And we're not simply not going to take the sort of s*** that's been said this week.
"I reckon the relationship with some of our brother clubs will be at boiling point."
Swans coach John Longmire did not mention the club 's pursuit of Franklin on stage, but revealed right-hand man Leigh Tudor was leaving the club.
Tudor has been linked to Essendon and the post vacated by James Hird's one-year ban.
Speaking to the press prior to Colless' speech, co-captain Jarrad McVeigh said criticism from other AFL clubs about the Swans' COLA was "unwarranted".
"There's a lot of teams having a crack at us, no doubt," McVeigh said.
"That's understandable. They're probably disappointed they didn't get Buddy themselves.
"We're not going to be sorry for trying to be a ruthless team and get the best players we can."
The league's free agency period officially started on Friday, with Carlton's Eddie Betts joining Adelaide on a four-year deal.
Melbourne's Colin Sylvia and Richmond's Matthew White also confirmed their moves, to Fremantle and Port Adelaide respectively.
Meanwhile, Colless also opened up about his recent rift with new Demons coach Paul Roos on Friday night.
"I don't know how this happened, but Roosy and I had a communication breakdown. I nearly had a nervous breakdown," he said on stage.
"I would like to say normal service has resumed."
