We continue our countdown to the biggest event in the Club’s history - the 25 year Anniversary Dinner. Follow the highs and lows of each year the Swans have been in Sydney every day on sydneyswans.com.au leading up to the event. Here is 2003...
At the beginning of the 2003 season, the red and white faithful had good reason to be hopeful.
After his successful stint as caretaker coach during the last ten rounds of 2002, and a comprehensive presentation to the Board of the Club which outlined his plans for the future, Paul Roos was permanently appointed senior coach.
Following the retirement of Paul Kelly, the Club also had a new Captain in Stuart Maxfield, whose uncompromising approach both on and off the field had won him universal respect within the Club.
Additionally, two players with senior experience bolstered the Swans’ playing stocks going into 2003.
Craig Bolton had been listed with Brisbane, where he had played 29 senior games since making his debut in 2000. Nick Davis had grown up in Sydney, but was recruited to Collingwood under the father-son rule, and had played 71 games for the Magpies between 1999 and 2002.
The season started on a positive note, with a victory over Carlton at Telstra Stadium. Three losses – to Fremantle, Adelaide and Hawthorn – followed, and after four rounds the Swans were in 12th position on the ladder.
25 April – Anzac Day – 2003, and the Swans and Melbourne met in the inaugural Barassi Cup match, played at twilight at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Despite trailing at three-quarter time, the Swans’ magnificent ten-goal last quarter ended in a 17.7 (109) to 13.7 (85) victory.
It was a win which gave the team confidence, and was a turning point in the season, as from that point onwards the Swans won 13 of their remaining 17 games, losing only to the Kangaroos at Manuka, both Port Adelaide and Adelaide at their home ground, and Hawthorn at the SCG.
The Swans finished the home and away season in fourth position on the ladder, earning a double chance, and ensuring that their second final would be played in Sydney.
During that imposing run to the finals, however, Sydney suffered two season-ending injuries which were to have a significant impact in September. Jason Ball required shoulder surgery after round 17, and all Swans supporters were devastated to see Michael O’Loughlin pull up suddenly with a hamstring injury during the round 22 match against Melbourne.
Port Adelaide were minor premiers, and so it was that the Swans were required to make the trip to AAMI Stadium in the first week of the finals. Port were unbackable favourites going into the game, but the courageous Sydney team stunned the football world with a magnificent upset victory, ultimately defeating Port Adelaide 15.10 (100) to 13.10 (88).
The Swans had earned a week off, and waited to discover who their Preliminary Final opponent would be. It was Brisbane who earned the right to face Sydney at Telstra Stadium to play for a place in the Grand Final. Early on, it was a close game, but ultimately Brisbane prevailed 14.16 (100) to 8.8 (56), on their way to a third successive Premiership.
The Preliminary Final defeat saw Daryn Cresswell’s retirement, after twelve years of senior football and 244 games. Joining Cresswell in retirement were his fellow members of the 1996 Grand Final team, Daniel McPherson and Brad Seymour.
Despite the disappointing Preliminary Final result, 2003 would still bring reasons for the Swans to celebrate. Paul Roos, in his first season as a senior coach, won the AFL Coaches’ Association Coach Of The Year Award. And Adam Goodes, along with Adelaide’s Mark Ricciuto and Collingwood’s Nathan Buckley, polled 22 votes to win the Brownlow Medal.
Also in 2003 the Swans Team of the Century was announced at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Back Pocket: VIC BELCHER
(1907-20, 226 games, 62 goals)
Powerful defender-ruckman who is the only man to have played in two red and white premiership sides. Club Captain in 1913 and 1920 and Captain Coach from 1914-1917
Full Back: JOHN HERIOT
(1958-68, 153 games, 39 goals)
The finest fullback of his era, Heriot was superb mark and a long kick. Served as Bob Skilton’s Vice-Captain and represented Victoria at the 1961 interstate Carnival.
Back Pocket: JOHN RANTALL
(1963-72 & 1976-79, 260 games, 8 goals)
A superb defender with every skill, Rantall Captained the Swans in 1969 when Bob Skilton was sidelined through injury and in his own right in 1972. Still hold the record for the most games (260) with the Swans
Half Back Flank: BILL FAUL
Part of the Swans Foreign Legion of the 1930’s West Australian Faul was runner-up in the 1932 Brownlow Medal Count and won Club Best and Fairest that year. A dashing but safe half-back flanker, he coached the swans in 1960-61
Centre Half Back: RON CLEGG
Champion Centre half-back or centre half-forward who won a Brownlow Medal in 1949. Club Captain in 1953-54 and 1957 and Captain-Coach from 1957-1960. Best and Fairest in 1948-1949 and 1951
Half Back Flank: DENNIS CARROLL
Superbly dependable across half-back line. Club captain from 1986-92 and represented both Victoria and New South Wales.
Wing: DAVID MURPHY
Brilliant, free flowing wing specialist whose kicking to position was pin-point perfect. Represented Victoria and was named All-Australia in 1988
Centre: GREG WILIAMS
Prolific possession-winning centreman famous for his ball reading and ability to bring others into the play. Won a Brownlow Medal in 1986 and a regular Victorian representative.
Wing: HERB MATTHEWS
A truly gifted footballer, Matthews excelled across the centreline and had exceptional pace. One of the Swans’ best in the 1933 Grand Final win and won a Brownlow Medal in 1940. Best and Fairest in 1936-37, 193-40 and 1943. Club Captain from 1938-45, including a stint as Captain Coach in 1939. Non-playing coach from 1954-57
Half Forward Flank: TONY MORWOOD
Marvellously-skilled half-forward whose courage was inspirational. Topped the Club’s goal kicking with 56 goals in 1979 and with 45 goals in 1982
Centre Half Forward: LAURIE NASH
A truly great player at either centre half-forward or centre half-back, Nash was a star in the 1933 Grand Final win over Richmond. He won the nest and fairest in 1937 and topped the goal kicking in 1945 with 56 goals. He once kicked 18 goals for Victoria in a match against South Australia and coached the Swans in 1953.
Half Forward Flank: GERARD HEALY
Highly-skilled ruck-rover with great leadership qualities and prolific ball-winning ability. Won Brownlow Medal in 1988 and club best and fairest each season from 1986-88.
Forward Pocket: BOB PRATT
One of the game's great full-forwards, Pratt was a freakish mark and a wonderful ground player. He topped the Swan goal kicking each season from 1932-36 and again in 1939. His best season's tally was 150 goals in 1934, an AFL record shared with Hawthorn's Peter Hudson (1971). Pratt topped the "ton" of goals in consecutive years from 1933-35
Full Forward: TONY LOCKETT
The most prolific goal kicker in AFL history, with 1360 goals. Lifted the Swans immediately on his move from St Kilda and his post-siren behind against Essendon put the Swans into the 1996 grand final. Topped the club goal kicking each season from 1995-2000, with a best of 121 goals in 1996. He won the John Coleman Medal as a Swan player in that season and again in 1998 (109 goals).
Forward Pocket: PAUL KELLY (VC)
Known as "Captain Courageous", Kelly led by example. A truly inspirational leader who won the hardest of balls, he won a Brownlow Medal in 1995 and captained the Swans from 1993 to his retirement at the end of the 2002 season. He won the club best and fairest in 1992-93 and in 1996-97.
Ruck: BARRY ROUND
Started with the Swans as a centre half-forward but developed into a magnificent ruckman. The big-hearted Round won a Brownlow Medal in 1981 and captained the Swans from 1980-84. Club best and fairest in 1979 and 1981.
Ruck Rover: PETER BEDFORD
Highly-skilled utility with superb ball-winning ability. Won a Brownlow Medal in 1970 and won club best and fairest awards from 1969-71 and in 1973 and 1975. Captain from 1973-76 and leading goal kicker from 1971-73
Rover: BOB SKILTON (Captain)
A legendary rover who won three Brownlow Medals, in 1959, 1963 and 1968. Super-courageous, Skilton had exceptional skills and could never be tagged out of a match. He won the club best and fairest a record nine times and topped the goal kicking three times (with a best of 60 goals in 1959). Skilton was captain from 1961-71, although he missed the entire 1969 season with an achilles injury. He also was captain-coach from 1965-66.
Coach: JACK BISSET
From Stawell, Bisset originally played in the League with Richmond, but was appointed South captain-coach in 1933 to replace Johnny Leonard, who had returned to Western Australia. Bisset, who played in the ruck, guided the Swans to the 1933 premiership and to three more grand finals, from 1934-36, in his four-season tenure.
Interchange: BILL WILLIAMS
A brilliant rover with tremendous ball-winning ability, Williams was Club best and fairest in 1946-47 and again in 1950. He topped the Swans' goal kicking in 1947 & 1951.
Interchange: STEVIE WRIGHT
Tough, gritty rover with great goal sense. Wright won the Swans' best and fairest in 1985 and 1990.
Interchange: DARYN CRESSWELL
Hard-working midfielder with unquestioned courage and limitless team commitment. Club best and fairest in 1994 and All-Australian in 1997.
Interchange: FRED GOLDSMITH
The first specialist fullback to win a Brownlow Medal (1955), Goldsmith was a magnificent mark and kick. He represented Victoria 10 times. He also could star at full-forward and topped the club goal kicking with 43 goals in 1957
Interchange: MARK BAYES
Versatile player who excelled at centre half-back. Played in 1996 grand final and won best and fairest in 1989
Interchange: HARRY CLARKE
A classical centreline player with exceptional skills, Clarke was one of the Swans' best in the 1933 grand final win over Richmond. He won the best and fairest that year and represented Victoria 11 times.
Interchange: MARK TANDY
A brilliant rover who dazzled around the packs, Tandy played in the 1918 premiership side. He captained the club during the 1922 season. Represented Victoria 13 times.
