Sydney Swans home games had always given Wendy Cleland a “buzz”. A “natural high”. A “real thrill”.
She knew she had to become a Swans member.
The Baulkham Hills resident put pen to paper ahead of season 2018 so she could lock in set seats for all 11 regular-season home games packed with excitement.
After a season full of crunching tackles, miracle goals, heart-stopping finishes and full-blooded cheers, a complimentary 2019 membership now awaits the Swans die-hard.
Being a first-year member and attending all 11 games at the SCG put Cleland in the running to win the 2018 #1 Member Draft Pick.
She was one of 1,453 members to attend all 11 games and one of 82 in contention for a complimentary 2019 membership, courtesy of the Swans.
Cleland says a Swans home game makes for a memorable experience.
“The buzz you get from a really close, hard-fought game, and watching the emotion of the players as well as the people around, is incredible,” Cleland said.
“It’s a natural high and a real thrill. I’m out of my seat, standing and cheering. I ride every bump and tackle, and every goal and missed shot.
“From where we sit in the Brewongle Stand, you can’t quite see between the goal posts – they’re all in a line – so our eyes are glued to the umpire to see if he or she moves. That’s how we often tell if it’s a goal.”
Cleland cheers on the Swans with her husband, sister and friends from the lower tier of the Brewongle Stand.
She started following the Swans in 2016 as Sydney powered through to the Grand Final.
While Cleland admits she’s a fan of every Swans player, she says young gun Isaac Heeney is her pick of the lot.
“He’s so athletic and so versatile,” Cleland said.
“This year we’ve seen him play in the midfield, up forward and in defence. He’s taken some huge, high-flying marks too.”
Cleland was thrilled to win the 2018 #1 Member Draft Pick and is already keenly awaiting 2019.
“I still can’t wipe the smile off my face,” Cleland said.
“I am so appreciative of winning this and I actually became unproductive at work on the day I found out because I was just so excited.
“I am very excited for season 2019. We’ll need to cheer a little longer and louder next year. We’ll try to help get the Swans into another finals series and hopefully we can go deeper into September.”
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