James Pope had an eighth birthday he will not forget in a hurry!

He celebrated it at Telstra Stadium, watching his beloved Swannies defeat Fremantle to advance to the grand final.

But, what made the occasion extra special was a competition the young member won to be the Sydney Swans Mascot.

The Swans ran a ‘Mascot for a Day’ competition leading into the Preliminary Final for ‘Swans Squad’ Junior Members. They simply had to submit their member number to go into the draw.

James was randomly picked from hundreds of entries and was called on Thursday with the good news. His mother Carolyn took the call and was in tears when told her son won the competition.

“James has been a member since he was born, this is just amazing that he will run out with the players prior to their big game,” Carolyn said.

“This is the best birthday present I could ever have wished for him - he lives and breathes the Swans.”

Prior to running out in front of over 60,000 screaming fans in his Swans Guernsey, shorts and socks, James told sydneyswans.com.au just what it mean to win the competition.

“I couldn’t believe I won, this is just so cool,” the Swans Squad member said.

Now that the Swans have progressed through to the Grand Final, the Club is offering another opportunity to be the 'Swans Squad Mascot for a Day' on that final day in September.

You simply need to enter your details by clicking here, be sure to include your Swans Squad member number (password for Melbourne members as advised by e-mail) and you will go into the draw to be the SWANS SQUAD MASCOT FOR A DAY.

The lucky junior member will run through the banner with the players at the start of the game and do a full lap of the ground dressed in the red and white team outfit (guernsey, shorts and socks - yours to keep).

You will then join your parent or guardian to watch the 2006 AFL Grand Final.