I first fell in love with the mighty Swans when I was at school, we moved to a small country town near Wagga and heard about an amazing player called Paul Kelly. AFL was the sport to play and watch and coming from NSW who else did you go for?

I was a fan but not obsessed, besides the grand final we never got coverage of games back then. My husband started following the Swans as soon as they moved from South Melbourne arrived in Sydney to become the greatest football team ever. He went to home games to watch them, swapping from a Demons supporter to the mighty swans. 0ver twenty years ago we got together and his obsession became mine, we use to life in Northern NSW and the only coverage you could get was rebroadcasted at midnight and vision was shocking, we couldn't even see the ball, none the less watching the red and white struggle every week was still our mission.

We introduced our children to the game with my son playing AUSKICK, he use to say he wanted to go and ask Paul Kelly if he could have the number fourteen when he was older, we use to have to drive past the Mighty SCG just to see where the boys played. even in the off season. we have since moved to Sydney and our passion is still growing, we go to every home game, travel with the boys, tape every game so we have something to watch in the off season, follow trade and draft period religiously. our date nights always include the red and white, buy memberships for every baby born, and then make their parents come to games with us, our wardrobes consist mainly of swans merchandise and my house has got memorabilia everywhere, including our prized possessions of match worn and signed jerseys.

We recently sold our Cafe whose uniform was red and white and the menu was named after Swans players past and present. I'm still trying to figure out how Craig Bird was let go, but list management hasn't made too many mistakes lately so lets hope they got this one right. I recently had to go into hospital for two weeks and organised it so I would be checking out the day of the Adelaide game last year, wow what a night.

I still have the message saved on my phone that was sent by the Swans wishing me well that was organised by my amazing husband. One of my greatest nights ever was Sydney v North Melbourne final a few years ago. ANZ, injuries galore, rotations down, Jarred McVeigh every where, his leadership and game play that night matches Nick Davis versus Geelong. What A star! We cried along with Ryan O'Keife as he played his last game in the Red and White as a reserve on the SCG. We cheered Malcheski last year as he played against us for the first time and begged him to come home. We celebrated Schnieder last year as he retired, we've misssed Kirky and he never looked as good in purple as he does in the red and white, we'll keep an eye on Marty Matner as he moves on and still take an interest in all former Swans players.

We've made friends at games who sit beside us at every home game. We've introduced friends, family, work mates, and suppliers to AFL and the Swans. Being in the Illawarra and heart of rugby league territory this hasn't been easy but we've gotten there.

My husband is a teacher, and AFL convener. His room is full of Swans stuff, he always teaches his students the Swan Song and they preform it at assemblies. Its fair to say we live and breath the mighty Red and White and have watched them go from struggling in the beginning to now become a team that players want to be a part of.

We enjoy the roller coaster every week, and have laughed, cried, been amazed and stuperfid over the journey and I look forward to this continuing for a long time to come. Now if I could just find a job for the Swans my life would be complete.

Cheer Cheer