Explore the incredible experiences, chance encounters and special moments that shape our supporters in Member Stories, presented by Lifeblood. 

Choosing an AFL club to follow can happen by chance. Perhaps it’s the region in which a fan lives, or their first live experience. Tony was just four-years-old when the Sydney Swans visited his home of Tjukurla, an aboriginal community located 94 kilometres north of Ayers Rock.  

Nowadays, Sydney Swans member Tony Nelson lives in Wingellina, a remote community of less than 150 people. Situated in a remote pocket of the country, near the junction of Northern Territory, South Australia, and Western Australian borders, 3000 kilometres of distance is no match for his support of the red and white. 

On Wednesday, March 6 Tony and his partner Jessica embarked on an incredible journey to attend Opening Round of the 2024 season. The couple drove five hours from Wingellina to Uluru on a small red dirt track, a difficult undertaking due to recent heavy rain throughout Central Australia. After camping overnight Tony and Jessica flew to Sydney. 

“Tony’s sister booked everything,” Jessica told Sydney Swans Media.

“We’ve travelled to Perth, Adelaide and Cairns to watch the Swans but never to the home ground.” 

The couple touched down in Sydney on Thursday morning. Their first stop? Sydney Swans HQ. Among the hundreds of members and fans that filed into the lobby ahead of March to the Match Tony and Jessica were the first - waiting hours to see a glimpse of their beloved team. Little did they know that a chance meeting with Jarred Hodges – First Nations strategic and player development manager – would end in a once-in-a-lifetime experience.  

“I took Tony’s number and said to them, that if the Swans win, I would give them an experience they will never forget,” Hodges recalled.  

“We couldn’t stop smiling, we were so excited and amazed,” Jessica added.  

The couple were welcomed into the rooms after the final siren where they met the team, stood on the SCG field, and were presented with the match ball. Not only was it a momentous occasion for Tony and Jessica, but it caused quite a stir in their local community. Jessica received calls from friends and family who recognised the couple on Channel 7 coverage. The couple say the experience was a dream come true, for Tony it was decades in the making.