In August 1881, the majestic Sydney Cricket Ground played host to the first-ever inter-colonial (State of Origin) football match between New South Wales and Victoria. The home team did not fare particularly well that day, but a football heritage was conceived. One hundred years later, our Swans moved in.

Barry Round led the Sydney Swans onto the hallowed turf on 28th March 1982 on a balmy Saturday afternoon, and the Swans prevailed by 29 points, emphatically marking our new territory. Our home ground is certainly a sacred place, revered across the globe and finally, after 587 painstaking days, the club returns on Saturday. And importantly, so do our supporters.

The romance of the famous Sydney sporting oasis has never been lost on Swans Team of the Century wingman David Murphy. 'It's our spiritual home for the Swans; you just feel so comfortable - it actually is such a significant home ground advantage.' He adds, 'The SCG just feels like home whether you're young and you're training and playing there, or when you're old and decrepit and past it, it's always a beautiful feeling when you go there.'

And for many years now, Murphy and his mates have been in attendance as the Bloods forged a fortress. 'Once every six weeks or so, we catch up, and it's usually myself, Brett Scott, Rod Carter, Steve Taubert, Craig Holden is a recent addition after finishing up with the club, Dennis Carroll will come on board now too.'

'We're getting too old now, so we don't like night games so much, we might fall asleep, so the day games suit us well,' Murphy jokes.

'All of us still share that passion, Rod and Dennis were there in that very first year in Sydney, and they've left such a legacy. We still caught up last year, but not as much. But that's what I'll be doing over the next few weeks!'

COVID-19 was the dominant issue for all Australians in 2020, and in football, flexibility, fluidity, and agility were both spruiked and required. For our club, the pandemic placed home games on hold, with members and supporters locked out.

When Rob and Ollie Stephens were told of the news that every AFL parent dreams of – their son's debut – the reality of the obstacles in their way materialised. 'We didn't get to go to any games last year. When Dylan did get selected, Dennis Carroll jumped straight on the phone and said for us to quickly get into NSW because they were about to close the borders that night. He called back soon after and said that we can't get in now anyway,' Rob Stephens explains.

'DC really tried to get us there; he was terrific. His communication throughout the whole thing and the effort that he and the club made to try and make it as special as possible for us was bloody amazing, to be honest.'

Armed with the understanding that they wouldn't see Dylan grace the SCG or any other ground live in 2020, they quickly made alternative arrangements. 'When we realised we couldn't be there, we went straight into one of the local shops and bought a new 70-inch tele, because I thought if I can't watch him live, I'm going to watch on a big screen, so we put that up on the wall outside,' Stephens says.

'It still cuts pretty deep. You'd love to be there for that first game and all that stuff, but like everyone last year, you made the most of the things that you could control.'

Long-time Swans ambassador Lynne McGranger has been a regular SCG attendee since moving from Melbourne to Sydney with partner Paul in 1993 to begin her role on Home and Away. She is bristling with excitement at the opportunity to sit in the stands once again. 'It's just very, very exciting. Adelaide will be coming over with their tails up after such an unexpected win, but we just got better and better as the game went on last week. We got our mojo back.'

She is welcoming the return of live footy in more ways than one. 'I just absolutely love the vibe of a packed SCG. I am so much better when I can watch the game live. Watching them on TV gives me absolute conniptions; I'm a nervous wreck!'

'Pre-COVID, we'd always see the same faces at the games and then drinks afterwards, and we missed that last year. We are really looking forward to Saturday and seeing the usual suspects. Last year was absolutely awful, and things just weren't the same,' McGranger laments.

After such an eye-catching season opener in Brisbane, the young Swans have ignited a renewed sense of excitement among the faithful. The homecoming is timely.

David Murphy was among those suitably impressed. 'They'll have a real bounce in their step when they run out on to the SCG this week, especially after that victory against the Lions.' He adds, 'The crowd are always behind you, and eight of those boys are now from Sydney, so they'll feel pretty pumped about it. Just playing there in such familiar surroundings that you know well, with the crowd behind you, it's pretty cool.'

'When kids come into the team like that, it gives everyone a lift. It's only early, but it was a great start. When you go away, I think there's more pressure. You have to go away and get on a plane, sleep in a different bed; everything is unfamiliar. When you're at home, it's exciting. Particularly when you're young.'

'These kids will be very excited about Saturday and getting out on to the SCG.'

A sundrenched SCG conjures visions of splendour for a Swan. The stands are overflowing with red and white, expectancy in the air that our boys will take the points and the sights and sounds of the footy fueling the soul. For Rob Stephens and his family, the first opportunity to experience presents this weekend and is one they are not going to miss.

'We can't wait to get up there and get to know a few more people. We haven't had that opportunity yet.' He adds, 'We're heading up with the Goulds (Will's parents Richard and Jane), we're going to meet in Sydney on Friday, so we're looking forward to having a catch up and with a bit of luck, we'll get to catch up with some of the other parents too. We just got a very quick introduction last year, so that will be fun. I'm sure there's more to it than what we've been able to experience so far.'

'We just want to get in amongst it. There are other parents to meet and players to get to know better and experience it all. I reckon I'd just about drive across the Nullabor to get up there to see a game at the SCG live.'

Our Swans are now synonymous with the SCG, and the return of Lance Franklin will only enhance Saturday's spectacle. The last time our supporters were in attendance – Round 23, 2019 - he played his 300th game and kicked four goals in the famous farewell match for McVeigh, Jack, Smith and Grundy.

Lynne McGranger sums up the sentiments of all Swans when speaking of his return. 'Oh my lord, with Buddy coming back, it will be so exciting. Of course, he didn't play last year and to see him just get out there and have a run and a kick; it will absolutely bring the house down.'

While Franklin's experience and undoubted ability will add another dimension this week, it is the future that has many, Rob Stephens included, looking forward to the possibilities. 'We'd love for them all to still be there in four of five years and to see them playing together on the SCG at the pointy end of the year. They don't tell us much as Mums and Dads, but I sense that there's a lot of self-belief building there, and I think they're all pretty keen to try and make something special happen as a collective; they're a really tight group.'

There is a lot to like. Welcome home.