In a new series, 'Swan Songs', on great players from the past, Jim Main talks to Colin Hounsell ...
Born: September 4, 1955
Played: 1975-85
Games: 122
Goals: 98

Few footballers have shown as much loyalty to the Swans as former midfielder Colin Hounsell, who TWICE rejected offers to join rival clubs.

The first came just months after Hounsell had made his 1975 debut after joining South Melbourne from NSW country club Collingullie.

Hounsell had made a huge impression as a wing speedster and when the Swans signed Collingwood forward Robert Dean over the following summer, the Magpies believed they had been offered Hounsell in exchange.

Hounsell recalled: “I had returned to the country over the break and Collingwood officials met me at Wagga to convince me a deal had been done. But I only wanted to play with the Swans and Collingwood was so upset it complained to the VFL.”

The blond speedster continued his career with the Swans but moved to South Australian club Woodville in 1980 before again feeling he wanted to return to Victoria.

This time, Carlton official Shane O’Sullivan made him an offer, only for Hounsell to tell him: “If I return to Victoria, I’ll play for the Swans.”

Hounsell therefore became part of the exodus from South Melbourne to Sydney in 1982 and recalled that it seemed the only viable option.

“The administration convinced us that it was move to Sydney or the club would die,” he said. “It was as simple as that and most of us wanted to continue playing for the Swans even if it meant upheaval.”

A clever, elusive footballer, Hounsell could play in the centre, on the wing or as a rover, but enjoyed his football most when used on a wing.

“I guess I liked the freedom there, so that I could use my pace and run forward,” he explained. “But it didn’t really matter and these days you would just say I was a midfielder.”

Hounsell was part of a tight-knit group at South and in Sydney, with many close friends he still goes out of his way to meet whenever possible.

He explained: “I now live in north Queensland where I run a building/ development business and jump at the chance to get to reunions if I can.

“One of my closest friends when I was playing was Barry Round and, because he recently shifted to the Gold Coast, we now see each other quite a bit.

“I also like to catch up with all my other teammates and I am enormously proud that I can boast to them that I am a life member of the club.”

Hounsell, wife Jennie and adult children Jade (28) and Todd (26) all take great interest in Swan fortunes, even though the former dasher finds it difficult to get to many matches.

He wanted to go to the 2005 Grand Final against West Coast, but could not make late arrangements and had to settle for watching the big match on television.

“It was fantastic, unbelievable,” he said. “I was so rapt, but not only for the players and supporters, but also for all those who put their careers on the line over the early years in Sydney. It was the perfect reward and it was brilliant to see Roundy and blokes like Bobby Skilton out on the ground after the final siren.”

Hounsell, who retired as a Swan at just 30 years of age, spent his twilight football career as a player-coach in the bush, with two years at East Wagga and one with original club Collingullie.

“I did not coach a premiership team, but I took East Wagga to the finals and Collingullie to a grand final (going down to Mangoplah-Cookardinia), only to do my shoulder. That was it. No more football for me.”

Except for following his beloved Swans, that is.