Ted’s a fan of Melbourne Fan Day
Ted Richards, is looking forward to getting reacquainted with the club’s Melbourne supporters at this month’s Fan Day…
Melbourne supporters are in for a Swans-fest towards the end of this month. Not only do the team begin their NAB Cup campaign at Etihad Stadium on Friday February 24, but the following morning the entire squad who travel south will be on show at the always popular Melbourne Fan Day.
After slugging it out against St Kilda and Geelong in their opening pre-season games on the Friday night, the playing group will be available to mingle with all the Melbourne fans at Port Melbourne’s Aanenson Oval from 9am, Saturday February 25.
One of the players looking forward to the trip is Swans full-back, Ted Richards. A born-and-bred Melbournian before making the move to Sydney at the end of 2005, Richards said the Melbourne Fan Day offers the perfect chance for the players to mix with such an important part of the club’s support on the eve of the season.
“The family come along to it every year, so it’s a good opportunity to see them and all the fans down in Melbourne at our second home,” Richards told SwansTV.
“We’re kind of lucky that we have two home (bases). We’ve got great support in Sydney, but also great old South’s fans down in Melbourne, and we really value both their support.”
During last year’s Elimination Final against St Kilda, and during other Melbourne games such as the thrillers against North Melbourne (round 10) and Essendon (round 20), Richards said the noise of the Swans crowd was noticeable and helped the team compete out on the ground.
“If we get on top, the crowd gets behind us,” he said.
“I think (the support) just nullifies (the opposition’s) home ground advantage and it becomes two teams battling it out … which we love.”
The Melbourne Fan Day - which is free and open to all - will feature clinics and autograph sessions with the players, as well as the opportunity to ask a question of your favourite Swan in the Media Zone.
Sydney Swans Melbourne Fan Day
Date: Saturday February 25, 2012
Time: 9:00am - 12:00pm (please note- players will be in attendance from 9am-11am)
Venue: Aanenson Oval, Murphy Reserve
Address: Williamstown Road, Port Melbourne (Melways 56, K1)
The Sydney Swans will also be holding a Fan Day in Sydney on Saturday March 10, from 11am at the SCG. Details on the Sydney Fan Day can be found by clicking here, with more details to become available over the coming weeks.
