Being top, we win the McClelland Trophy. This trophy is named after Dr William McClelland, a former VFL player and administrator, and member of the Australian Football Hall of Fame. McClelland played 75 games for Melbourne between 1898 and 1904 and captained the team from 1901 and 1904. In later life he was President of the VFL and also the Melbourne Cricket Club. The trophy, which has been awarded since 1951, is relatively low key, with no prize money attached.
Finishing top, however, gives us the double chance. It also gives us a qualifying final in Sydney for the first time since 1996, when we beat Hawthorn by 6 points – Daryn Cresswell marking in the goal square, at the last minute, to put us in front. Let’s hope the margin is a bit bigger on Saturday!
We two have finished off the home and away season with more wonderful experiences and memories.
Since our last News the Club has farewelled two of the five (to date) dual premiership players. It is always sad to see players’ careers come to an end, but we reflected that that sadness is matched by the excitement of watching another young man setting out on the journey.
Ryan O’Keefe (286 games, 261 goals), Norm Smith medallist, best and fairest, life member, Jim Stynes medallist and all-round champion Swan, was emotionally farewelled by fans at half-time during the recent Richmond game. Peter had a chance to chat briefly with Ryan’s dad, Brian, who played with Fitzroy back in the 1970s. They reminisced about that booming first goal in the 2001 Elimination Final against Hawthorn when Peter became convinced that Ryan would be a huge part of our future. He sure was. Good luck in whatever lies ahead Ryan. You go with our thanks and warmest best wishes.
Lewis Roberts-Thomson (179 games, 54 goals) a true Sydney product, announced his retirement before the St Kilda game. LRT, a Swans’ life member and always a crowd favourite, received loud acclamation as he walked around the SCG at half-time. Lewie has always been a favourite of ours too – although maybe number one ticket holders shouldn’t have favourites? Everybody remembers his marvellous performance in the 2005 premiership and his last quarter, game-saving, marks in defence in 2012 - a big game player by any measure. Good luck and thanks LRT.
Three weeks ago we were in Adelaide for the Port re-match. We caught up, again, with the Adelaide supporters’ group at a pre-match function. Past player, Simon Feast (no 26), now living and coaching in Adelaide, was presented with his past players’ guernsey, and Peter enjoyed reminiscing with him about his time in Sydney in the mid-90s.
One of the fantastic traditions the Swans Past Players’ Association has instituted is to present every player who has ever played senior football for the Swans with a Swans’ Guernsey, on which is inscribed the details of their achievements. This means a lot to past players, particularly to those who played relatively few games. Usually such a player’s contribution is small and easily forgotten, whereas to the player himself it is often a momentous achievement to be drafted/signed by the Club and to make the team even for a few games. They particularly cherish these special commemorative guernseys as a result.
Before the Port match we again walked across the footbridge from the city to the Adelaide Oval, only this time it was evening and the lighting was quite spectacular. All the surrounding buildings, distant church spires and trees were lit up and there was Port Adelaide-teal flashing across the sky as well – just a marvellous spectacle. Adelaidians are very proud of their new ground and precinct and so they should be.
There was a large and vocal group of Swans supporters cheering in the stands as our team did the job on the field. Afterwards, many of us repaired to our hotel for a few celebratory drinks and a lot of footy talk which went well into the night. We also managed to catch up with Matthew Nicks who is now coaching at Port Adelaide. Matthew loves his job but was happy to be reminded that his new son will be ours under the father-son rule, should it still exist, when the time comes.
The day after we took a tram ride to Glenelg, saw a lot of red and white on the streets and had a wonderful lunch with friends before returning to Sydney.
The following week we were in Sydney for the last SCG match of the season, against St Kilda. We enjoyed another excellent win by the team and nine goals from Lance Franklin. How that crowd was willing him on for the tenth! We hear that the Swanshop had sold out of Number 23 guernseys two days before the match, so it seems many fans were well prepared.
The next week it was Melbourne, this time at Docklands, for the match against the Western Bulldogs. There was a supporters’ function before the match and we had the opportunity to catch up with many who’ve now become friends over the season.
Past players David Rhys-Jones (1980-1984) and Rodney Williams (1967/68) were presented with commemorative guernseys. We also caught up with Stevie Wright (246 games/Best and Fairest 1985 and 1990 and Team of the Century) and reminisced about past glories. We drew the raffle –at which we have become quite expert. Peter had just told Val Heriot, past player John’s wonderful wife, that we would draw her ticket, when Maree did just that!! An amazing coincidence we hasten to add.
Peter and Maree with Stevie Wright
Our team performed superbly, even with a number of top players missing, adding percentage, which ultimately ensured that we finished top of the ladder.
After the match we went to the rooms which were packed with supporters and players’ families. We took young Ned and Mia from our Melbourne family with us; they loved meeting their heroes. The players were unfailingly polite, always offering a word of encouragement. We realised, again, what fine individuals make up our team.
The period, immediately after the match, is usually a quiet time for recovery, icing up, a few obligatory interviews for those who have played well and getting together with family. Somehow, all this went out the window after the Bulldogs game – it was great fun and we are most grateful to the team.
Maree, Ned and Mia with Kieran Jack
The final home-and-away match was at Stadium Australia against Richmond; damp weather, a playing surface showing the effects of a wet week and the late withdrawal of Lance Franklin … not quite the perfect start.
We joined our hard-working Cheer Squad on the ground before the match to hoist the banner, which congratulated Lewis Jetta on his 100th game. His mum and sister had come for the occasion from Bunbury. We were collected from a pre-match lunch and driven in the golf cart under the stadium to the players’ race, where we were briefed, assigned to our “minders”, and given our red rain jackets. We also met an excited young supporter, Jack, who ran out with the team as the mascot for the game.
Three minutes before the team entered the arena, we were instructed to raise the banner, holding on for dear life, until the team came up the race. Lewis, with young Lewis jnr. and Daisy, led the team on and broke through the banner. The banner was then lowered, rolled up, removed and the poles stored till next week. So much goes into the banner preparation and so much AFL regulation surrounds it. Our Cheer Squad deserves every bit of support they get and we thank them for inviting us to be part of the experience.
Frances Jetta with Peter and Maree
The match was close and exciting and Tiger supporters were happy after the game.
For the Swans, we finished top of the ladder and we all look forward to a wonderful September, trusting in the professionalism and ability of our players, our coaches and all our support staff. It has been quite a year so far; it will continue to be great.
Lance Franklin, despite not playing against Richmond, won the Coleman Medal … well done. It is his third Coleman (2008 and 2011) and the first Swan to win it since Plugger in 1998.
Make sure you get to Stadium Australia to support our boys in the Qualifying Final against Fremantle next Saturday and to Blacktown International Sportspark on Sunday when the Reserves take on NT Thunder in a NEAFL preliminary final from 12.45pm.
Just for the record, we will not be going anywhere near the playing arena again this season. Our family has banned us. On the two occasions this year when we have had duties on the ground before a match, the team has lost!
Cheer, cheer
Your Number One Ticket Holders
Peter and Maree
PS. On Tuesday we went to training at the SCG. All looked fine, the players and coaches were relaxed…a good omen? Let’s hope so!
