Complex sentence: Despite their shaky financial situation, the Swans were the flavour of Sydney in the early years; the Swans matches at the SCG were the place to be seen, rivaling Sydney's main winter sport, rugby league.
Split into simpler sentences: Despite their shaky financial situation the Swans were the flavour of Sydney in the early years. Attendances rose and Swans matches at the SCG were the place to be seen, rivaling Sydney's main winter sport, rugby league.