Sydney midfielder Luke Parker calls the SCG ‘the little colosseum’ and it strikes a chord with massive Swans fan David Thompson.
The Clovelly resident feels part of a family of “40,000 people screaming to help get the boys over the line” when cheering on the red and white at home.
But for Thompson and the rest of the bay 29 die-hards, a day or night at the footy that leaves their vocal chords reeling begins at The Carrington in Surry Hills.
Thompson and a handful of Swans faithfuls meet at the inner-city pub before every SCG clash.
They deck themselves out in every item of red-and-white clothing they’re able to scrounge from the wardrobe, enjoy a catch-up at The Carrington and begin the walk to Moore Park.
Thompson said a Swans home game was unmissable.
“Whether it’s singing along to ‘Sweet Caroline’ at quarter-time or the chant about the Swans, everyone is riding the same wavelength and it’s absolutely incredible,” Thompson said.
“I’m screaming as if I’m on the ground or coaching them and you ride the highs and you ride the lows. Whether they’re five goals up or goals down you’re ‘oohing’ and ‘aahing’ every minute of the game.
“It’s an unreal feeling cheering the boys on with the thousands of other Swans fans in their red and white and when the boys can pull off a win you feel like you were a genuine part of it all.”
Thompson started following the Swans as an eight-year-old.
His dad was an Irishman with a keen interest in Gaelic football and when the Swans relocated from South Melbourne to Sydney in 1982 the red and white became the closest tie to the sport he has always loved.
Thompson’s passion for the Swans was born from his dad’s love for Gaelic football.
He became a member in 2002 and attends every home game and a handful of away matches every season.
The 38-year-old said he loved the Swans’ tough streak.
“The Swans are ruthless and you can never, ever write them off,” Thompson said.
“We saw that last year and we’re seeing it again this year. It tested my loyalty when they were winless after six games last year but I knew – because I see what they do every week – that you can never write them off.”
Thompson will sit through another Swans home game when Sydney takes on Carlton for the Marn Grook Trophy on Friday night.
It comes after the Club recently hit the 60,000-member mark for the first time in South Melbourne-Sydney history.
Thompson said on the brink of Marn Grook at the SCG forward Kieren Jack was his favourite Swan.
“Kieren Jack represents what the Swans are all about,” Thompson said.
“He’s hard-working, he’s determined, he’s passionate and when he gets the ball I can absolutely back him to do what needs to be done.
“I’ve met him a couple of times too and you couldn’t meet a nicer guy.”
It's in the Bloody thanks to Sydney Swans official members partner Citi.
