CROWS chairman Rob Chapman is calling for a review of Sydney's extra allowance in the AFL salary cap as Adelaide deals with Kurt Tippett's defection.

Sydney's reported $1 million-a-season deal for the 25-year-old key forward is clouded by the Swans having an additional 9.8 per cent ($862,000) allowance in its salary cap to cover higher costs of living in the NSW capital.



But Chapman has joined former Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett in questioning why the allowance continues while the Swans are the AFL's pacesetter.



"It was a great idea at the start to give Sydney that extra assistance that was required (to lure players to the Swans from traditional markets)," Chapman said on Sunday.



"But when the Swans have just won a premiership and allegedly can offer $1 million to entice a player such as Kurt Tippett to their club, I'd say the model is not right for today."



Chapman's comments come after Kennett called on the AFL to revoke Sydney's salary cap concessions.



An angry Kennett described Sydney's salary cap allowance as an "anachronism" and "20 years behind its time".

And while Kennett was mindful Tippett's potential move to the premier will be a trade, he claimed free agency was driving a bigger wedge between wealthy and struggling clubs.

"Sydney should no longer be treated any differently to the other established clubs," Kennett said. "It (the concession) is well past its use-by date in terms of its original purposes.

"These things are not meant to be endless but it has become ingrained."

Kennett said it was "absurd" that the Swans could make a lucrative play for Tippett, considering they have almost 10 per cent extra in their salary cap to play with each season.

He said the cost of living in Melbourne had risen significantly recently, making it as expensive as Sydney.

He said he understood why players were entitled to free agency, but claimed it would significantly weaken struggling clubs.

"Unfortunately, what is happening is that the wealthier clubs are taking the cream of the players on offer at the expense of those desperately trying to gain a better outcome," he said. "The weaker clubs will not attract the top players."

According to a Herald Sun report on the salary cap in July, Sydney had $10.3 million to spend among its players. The other established clubs had $9.4 million.

Originally published as Crows say Swans' cap doesn't fit