Welcome to our series Behind the Banner. To celebrate 150 years of South Melbourne and the Sydney Swans, banners throughout the 2024 AFL season will be a nod to our long history. 

In Round 15 of the 2015 AFL season the likes of Kieren Jack, Jarrad McVeigh, Adam Goodes and Dane Rampe ran through a banner that read "It's time to cheer, as we fly high, our red and white spirit, will never die!" It was the perfect prelude to what would be a strong outing for the Sydney Swans. 

The Brisbane Lions hosted the Swans at The Gabba that year with the visitors coming away with a 21-point win. Lance Franklin kicked three goals and Josh Kennedy went away with a massive 41 disposals. 

The same banner opened our Round 18 of the 2024 season and what an epic it proved to be - nine years later. The Swans rejoined the winner's circle with a 79-point victory over North Melbourne. Errol Gulden had his own 41 disposals while Tom Papley and Logan McDonald had four goals each. 

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Match Report: Round 18

The win cemented the Swans on top of the ladder with an impressive 145.3 goal percentage heading into Round 19. 

Look Back On Round 18

  • 00:24

    Mark of the Week - Round 18

    Logan McDonald made his presence felt early with a big grab in the first quarter, and finished with four goals in a huge performance at the SCG.

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    Mark of the Week
  • 00:46

    Goal of the Week - Round 18

    Chad Warner does it again with a blistering goal in the second quarter.

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    Goal of the Week
  • 02:57

    "It felt like I was making my debut again" - Parker

    Hear from Luke Parker after his incredible performance and first game of the season.

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  • 01:54

    "The club keeps backing me in" - McDonald

    Hear from Logan McDonald after a huge four-goal performance against North Melbourne at the SCG.

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  • 06:42

    Post-Match Press Conference: Round 18, John Longmire

    Watch Sydney’s press conference after the Round 18 match against North Melbourne.

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  • 07:10

    Highlights: Sydney v North Melbourne

    The Swans and Kangaroos clash in Round 18.

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  • 00:30

    Team Song: Sydney

    Watch the Swans celebrate their round 18 win

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  • 00:25

    Swans skipper mobbed after major in return

    Sydney captain Callum Mills gets his special moment with a return goal in his first game for the season

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  • 00:30

    Super sub Parker swarmed in heartwarming goal

    Luke Parker kicks his 200th career major and gets surrounded by teammates after returning to the senior side

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  • 00:33

    Warner tears game apart with back-to-back majors

    Chad Warner lands consecutive goals in the second term as Sydney pulls away

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  • 00:39

    Papley bangs home cracking opener on birthday

    Sydney's livewire Tom Papley nails the opening goal of the game on his birthday

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