It was announced on Friday one of the longest partnerships in sport would continue with full force ahead, with Sydney Swans Principal Partner QBE Australia renewing its commitment to the Club for a further three years.
The new agreement, which extends until the end of 2022, will take QBE’s relationship with the Swans to 36 years and see the QBE logo continue to adorn the front of Sydney’s guernsey.
Sydney Swans Media has pieced together the Club's most special moments since QBE first put pen to paper in 1986.
Ron Barassi takes over as coach
May 9, 1993
The Sydney Swans called on the services of legendary VFL player and coach Ron Barassi in one of the darkest periods in the Club’s history. The Swans were staggering through a 19-game losing streak and had had seven coaches in the past 11 years, but Barassi’s reign from Round 7, 1993 would overturn the fortunes of the Club.
First Grand Final since 1945
September 28, 1996
Swans great Paul Kelly captained the Club to its first grand final in 51 years as Sydney took on North Melbourne in 1996. The Swans had been dealt three wooden spoons in a row between 1992 and 1994 and finished 12th in 1995, before charging through to the Grand Final in Rodney Eade’s first season as coach. Champion forward Tony Lockett booted six goals but North Melbourne won by 43 points.
Tony Lockett breaks all-time goal-kicking record with 1300th major
June 6, 1999
A crowd of 42,264 awestruck football fans crammed into the SCG in Round 10, 1999 to see Sydney and St Kilda champion Tony Lockett become the greatest goal-kicker in history. The four-time Coleman Medallist booted his 1300th career goal to surpass Collingwood great Gordon Coventry and his record still stands today.
2005 Premiership – first in 72 years
September 24, 2005
The Sydney Swans broke the longest premiership drought in VFL/AFL history in a thrilling four-point victory over the West Coast Eagles in the 2005 Grand Final. Champion backman Leo Barry flew high for an unforgettable mark in defence in the shadows of full-time to seal the long-awaited victory, Sydney’s first premiership since beating Richmond in the 1933 Grand Final.
QBE Sydney Swans Academy launch
April 6, 2010
The launch of the QBE Sydney Swans Academy in 2010 set out a clear pathway to the AFL for budding Australian rules football youngsters in NSW. While the program strives to build junior footballers into strong players, it also places a huge focus on nurturing young kids into better people. The Academy has produced a host of star Swans, including Isaac Heeney and Callum Mills.
2012 Premiership
September 29, 2012
The Sydney Swans claimed their fifth premiership in history in a heart-stopping 10-point victory over Hawthorn in the 2012 Grand Final. Defender Nick Malceski iced the win with a left-snap from congestion in the dying stages of the game.
Lance Franklin signs with the Swans
October 8, 2013
The football world was left stunned when superstar forward Lance Franklin, who had won two premierships and kicked 580 goals in Hawthorn colours, signed with the Swans ahead of season 2014. He has since kicked his 900th career goal, won two Coleman Medals and earned All-Australian honours on three occasions.
Adam Goodes’ 350th
September 19, 2014
Swans legend Adam Goodes brought up 350 AFL games as Sydney overcame North Melbourne by 71 points in a 2014 preliminary final. The former Swans captain had a decorated career, finishing with two premierships, two Brownlow Medals, three Bob Skilton Medals and four All-Australian honours. He was also named in the Indigenous Team of the Century and went on to play 372 career games.
QBE Sydney Swans Academy Youth Girls Program launch
June 15, 2017
The Club took a significant step forward in its push for an AFL women’s team when it launched the QBE Sydney Swans Academy Youth Girls Program in 2017. The initial intake of 140 girls in under-12 and 13 squads will be able to continue along a talent pathway through to under-18s.
60,000-member milestone recorded
May 18, 2018
The Sydney Swans reached the 60,000-member mark for the first time in the Club’s history in 2018. The Swans had just 2,000 members when the Club relocated from South Melbourne to Sydney in 1982.
