SYDNEY Swans chairman Andrew Pridham considers the Riverina a proud Swans region despite the invasion of rival AFL club Greater Western Sydney (GWS).

Just days after the Giants announced their plans for a Riverina Team of the Century gala event, Pridham was in Wagga as the special guest at the city's Sydney Swans Supporters Group's Christmas luncheon on Sunday.

Pridham is in his first year as Swans chairman and made his first official visit to the city despite being to Wagga numerous times through his friendship with Sydney great Paul Kelly.

GWS has targeted the Riverina since its inception five years ago and even employed Kelly for a period as it looked to make inroads into the region.

Pridham is proud that the Riverina is strong Swans' territory.

"Wagga has been incredibly important over the history of the club," Pridham said.

"It's obviously a very strong AFL foothold in terms of in the past the players it has delivered, the likes of Kel, Murph, Quadey, Brad Seymour and now Harry Cunningham so in terms of playing stock it's been very important.

"We have a real affinity with it.

"There are so many connections and Wagga is a very big part of the club in terms of our history and the day-to-day operation."

Pridham said Riverina's zoning to the Giants has not changed how Sydney sees the region.

"It's a recruitment zone not a supporter zone," Pridham said.

"It hasn't changed out affinity with Wagga and desire to do things here.

"Obviously with Harry coming on board, he's fantastic, a great kid and will be a future leader of the club, so that continues that strong link."

About 85 Swans supporters turned out at the function on Sunday where Pridham spoke about the future direction of the club.

The Swans went down to Hawthorn in this year's AFL grand final.

Pridham, said the loss aside, it was one of the club's best years.

"Last year, with the exception of not winning the premiership, was our most successful season ever," he said.

"In terms of number of wins, we had 12 wins a row, which equalled our record and was last done in 1933, so on field things are going well.

"Off the field, financially we had a good year.

"We're really excited about the 30-year deal we've done with the SCG, for us that's really exciting and gives us a real certainty.

"Things couldn't be in better shape."