The Sydney Swans have added three new items to the Heritage List at the 2019 Guernsey Presentation and Hall of Fame Dinner presented by Volkswagen.
In 2011 the Swans introduced the Swans Heritage Listings with everything associated with the club from 1874 onwards being eligible for inclusion on our Heritage List from memorable moments to our home ground and the Club emblem.
Like the Australian Heritage List however, which doesn’t recognise individuals, our Heritage List doesn’t recognise the careers of players or coaches because that is the purpose of the Hall of Fame.
See below a summary of the three new items added to the Heritage List.
1888 – 1890 premierships
Between 1888 and 1890, South Melbourne won three consecutive Premierships in the Victorian Football Association, then the strongest competition in the country. In 1888 with Sonny Elms at the helm, South Melbourne embarked upon the greatest period in our history through a successful recruitment drive to match Geelong’s enormous pool of football talent earlier in the decade. The club assembled an imposing list of players with strength, skill and above all power. By season’s end, South Melbourne were Premiers. In 1889, 23 players were presented with the
first ever VFA Premiership caps and the club’s off-season recruiting exceeded even that of the previous year. After another successful season, the club celebrated consecutive Premierships by thumping Richmond 13.10 to 6 points, the third largest winning margin in VFA history. The 1890 season was as successful as the previous two, with South Melbourne finishing strongly against Richmond, securing its third consecutive Premiership.
Harold Robertson’s 14 goal and goal kicking Robertson’s
Harold Robertson kicked 93 goals in 64 games between 1917 and 1923, and was part of the 1918 Premiership team, kicking 2 goals. In 1919, he topped the club’s goalkicking with 38 goals. In a game against St Kilda, he smashed the record for the most goals kicked in a VFL game, kicking three goals in the first half and 11 in the second half. Harold’s younger brother Austin, also known as Ocker, was also a talented goal kicker. After Harold retired, Austin played 154 games for the Swans, kicked 250 goals and was the leading goal scorer in 1929, 1930 and 1931. On 29th April 1943, Austin and his wife Dorothy welcomed son also named Austin, like his father more widely known as Ocker. Austin Jr developed into one of the greatest goalkickers in the history of the game. In 279 games for Subiaco in the WAFL, the Swans and WA he kicked 1,315 goals at an average of 4.7 goals a game.
2012 Premiership
The 116th AFL Grand Final of 2012 between Hawthorn and Sydney was attended by 99,683 spectators. The two Grand Finalists had met twice during the season. The Swans accounted for Hawthorn by 37 points in Launceston in round 5, while the Hawks emerged victorious by seven points in the round 22 return match at the SCG.
At the start of play, Hawthorn were strong favourites. In addition to their stellar form at the tail end of the season, and their star studded forward line, the Hawks were playing on their home ground. The Swans were led by Senior Coach John Longmire and co-captains Adam Goodes and Jarrad McVeigh.
At quarter time, the score was in favour of the Hawks, 4.5.29 to 1.4.10. While much of the first quarter was dominated by Hawthorn, Sydney responded superbly in the second with six straight goals to one point, with Kieren Jack, Jarrad McVeigh, Sam Reid and Mitch Morton as key players.
At half time, the score line was Hawthorn 4.6.30 to Sydney 7.4.46, but was quickly tightened in the third when Sydney led by only one point. The final quarter saw the Swans secure their victory with stellar performances from Mike Pyke in the ruck and a number of goal kicking stars. The Norm Smith Medal was awarded to Ryan O’Keefe who had 28 disposals and 15 tackles for the match.
CLICK HERE to read more about the items currently on the Sydney Swans Heritage List.
