ANNE Meadows of Melbourne is this week’s Member of the Week. Anne is a very passionate Swans supporter and was more than happy to tell us all about what it means to her to be a member of the Sydney Swans…
When did you first join the Sydney Swans and what membership did you hold in 2010?
My husband, daughter and I became Swans members in 2004, although we had been interested in them for a few years before then. When we came to Melbourne from Sydney 20 years ago, we were Rugby League fans with little interest in AFL. Our sons had played in the junior Balmain District Rugby League competition and we were admirers of Gary Jack among others. Over time, in Melbourne’s AFL culture we realised what a great game it AFL was and opted to follow the Swans because of our link with Sydney. It’s now a passion, and so my daughter and I joined the Ladies of the Lake to get to know other female football supporters in Melbourne and also to learn more about the history of the Club. This year we had a Swans Premiership Club AFL Platinum membership, which entitles us to six extra non-Swans games at the MCG.
What do you like most about being a member?
I like being part of a Club that seems to genuinely care for its players and their families. At functions such as the Ladies Lunches I enjoy talking with players’ mums, and they are grateful for the way the Clubs looks after and supports their sons and themselves, especially the new ones coming from interstate.
Working hard, playing hard and fair to the best of your ability, respecting your team mates and the opposition are values essential to a good team. While all Clubs pay lip service to these, they seem to be a reality at my Club. They also know that AFL is just a game, and played for a relatively short period of one’s life, and there is life beyond it that needs to be prepared for.
The Swans genuinely straddle two cities and have not forgotten their roots, so that the Melbourne-based Swans supporters remain a strong and valued part of the club. The Melbourne office staff plays an important part in this.
What is your all-time favourite Swans moment? What made it so special?
It’s impossible to go past the 2005 Grand Final win after a 72 year drought as your all-time favourite moment. The banner was brilliant and said it all: two cities, one team, together living the dream. The dream was fulfilled that day!
A favourite evening’s entertainment is replaying the last quarter of the 2005 finals matches against Geelong, St Kilda and West Coast, and reliving the excitement. “Leo Barry you star!” rings out loudly each time. Even though you know so much of each game it still thrills. Seeing and hearing Paul Roos holding the cup aloft and yelling “Here it is!” continues to be a magic moment. How great to have it immortalised in bronze at the SCG.
What was your favourite moment in 2010? Describe why it was so good.
We attended the Club Champion Dinner for the first time this year and that was a highlight. I raced around at the end with my copy of In the Blood securing as many signatures as I could and having a brief chat with the players. Leo Barry and Nick Malceski were particularly delightful and insisted on a photo with me. I enjoyed meeting other Swans tragics, especially those who post on the fans website Red and White Online.
Another favourite moment this year was the elimination final against Carlton. So often this year, especially at the MCG, we started off well and then let the other team back in and lost the game; so I especially enjoyed watching us get back on top of Carlton again
Who is your favourite Swans player?
I have so many favourite players, but Jude Bolton sneaks in at number one now Brett Kirk has retired. He never gives up, personifies the spirit of the Bloods (often literally) and has to be one of the hardest at the ball in the game. He appears to be well respected by other players and will probably end his career as a one Club player.
Where do you sit and why do you love these seats?
Because of our particular club membership we sit in the AFL members’ section at the MCG. We can’t book permanent seats but we prefer to sit on level 2 so we can see the whole field and still be a bit closer to the players than on higher levels. As newer converts we’re still learning details about the game.
When the game is not in Melbourne or on free-to-air television we have gone to the Rising Sun Hotel in South Melbourne a number of times this year. This has been a great discovery with good food and drinks, and great noisy company among other passionate Swans, often keen to give the umpires the benefit of our observations. Such fun!
What do you like most about coming to Swans matches?
AFL is such a good game and while I enjoy watching non-Swans games, it doesn’t evoke the same delight and passion you feel when your side kicks that goal and you can wave your flag/scarf and cheer wildly surrounded by like-minded people. Or roll your eyes at each other when they kick a behind or turn the ball over!
It’s such a healthy part of our game to see family members and friends coming to games wearing different team colours. One of our sons is a West Coast fan and his partner supports Carlton, so we have a lot of fun and banter with these rivalries. I’m glad that the AFL does not have cheer girls and has a genuine respect for women and families.
Any final words for the team?
You’re building on a strong foundation and the window of opportunity is now wide open again. Work hard and GO FOR IT!
