Swans' Melbourne launch a hit
Thousands of fans turned out for the Sydney Swans Melbourne Season Launch at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre on Saturday afternoon.
Held the day before the Swans' round two NAB Cup clash with the Saints at Etihad Stadium, supporters had the chance to meet their favourite Swan ahead of Sunday’s match.
The Swans players posed for photos and signed autographs for their Victorian fans, who demonstrated the club’s South Melbourne roots were still strong in the state.
Sydney Swans General Manager - Business Development Tony Morwood said the club was thrilled with the turnout from its Melbourne fan base.
"We're very happy," he said.
"It's really a reflection of the success of the team over the past ten years and membership is also reflecting that things are going really well in Victoria.
I think it's just great that the team makes themselves available for their Victorian-based supporters."
Morwood said Saturday afternoon's turnout was an indication that the club's South Melbourne roots still ran strong down south.
"Fans here are extremely passionate, and certainly the South Melbourne blood lines are really coming through for generations to come."
Swans midfielder Jude Bolton was a clear crowd favourite at this year's launch, while defender Ted Richards and ruckman Mike Pyke also drew a crowd.
Morwood said he hoped to see more crowd favourites develop at the club in the coming years.
"How are we ever going to replace Jude?!" Morwood said of Bolton's popularity.
"We always said 'How are we going to replace Kirky or Paul Kelly?' but in the end someone comes up and the next Jude Bolton might be a Nick Smith or Kieren Jack, and at the end of the day they are all really good boys and I think everyone respects that."