Newcastle this arvo

[HighFlying]

I've organised to have the arvo off work (should be working now but too excited, oops), picking my son up early from day care, then picking my sister up from her work....

Been practising with my little 'un... He turned 2 on Friday, and is ready to say "Well done, mate" to the boys. His fourth word was Barry (after Mum, Dad and duck), and can say "Nicky Davis, come to save us" pretty well. Can also say Hyphenator perfectly !

Anyone else going down to Number 1 Sports Oval to see the boys today?

[Northern_Swan]

I guess i'll be there- if someone twists my arm

[HighFlying]

We'll be the twits with the 2 year old trying to get our Barry-Hall-face-on-a-stick signed!

Hope to see you and your twisted arm there too!

[HighFlying]

We had a great time in Newie yesterday, when Barry Hall, Nick Davis, Benny Mathews, Luke Ablett and Lewis Roberts-Thomson came to say hi.

After the usual formalities, the boys sat and signed autographs ad nauseum. Ben Mathews was a bit aloof and disinterested, but on the whole it was a great arvo. On a few other occasions we've walked away from meet-and-greets with a bit of a bad taste in our mouths.... I mean, how hard is it to smile?

But we were super impressed this time. They all signed my little man's Sherrin, shook his hand and said G'day when he said "Well done" to them. Jem's Barry and Nicky mad, and they both sat him on their knee and had a couple of photos taken. Actually, Nick kept him there and continued to sign autographs, and told me I could go do a few hours shopping while he minded Jem! My sis was swooning in the background! And I gotta say that I'm only a recent LRT convert, but he's a total sweetie too.

What a great bunch of guys. Special thanks to Barry and Nick for being top blokes. I'll try and post a few pics, if I can work out how to!

[ScottH]

Originally posted by HighFlying
We had a great time in Newie yesterday, when Barry Hall, Nick Davis, Benny Mathews, Luke Ablett and Lewis Roberts-Thomson came to say hi.

After the usual formalities, the boys sat and signed autographs ad nauseum. Ben Mathews was a bit aloof and disinterested, but on the whole it was a great arvo. On a few other occasions we've walked away from meet-and-greets with a bit of a bad taste in our mouths.... I mean, how hard is it to smile?

But we were super impressed this time. They all signed my little man's Sherrin, shook his hand and said G'day when he said "Well done" to them. Jem's Barry and Nicky mad, and they both sat him on their knee and had a couple of photos taken. Actually, Nick kept him there and continued to sign autographs, and told me I could go do a few hours shopping while he minded Jem! My sis was swooning in the background! And I gotta say that I'm only a recent LRT convert, but he's a total sweetie too.

What a great bunch of guys. Special thanks to Barry and Nick for being top blokes. I'll try and post a few pics, if I can work out how to!

Good to hear you had a good time HF/

Mathews always looks that way at those type of functions (Crouch too). Most will have a chat, if prompted.

Jem, isn't 16+ is she?? that might be why ND kept her on his knee!!

[HighFlying]

Jem is Jeremy, and he's just turned 2! But it may have had something to do with my cute sister flashing Nick a killer smile! Heehee!

Don't get me wrong, I like Ben Mathews, but he can be a bit sans enthusiasm at times. Sat on the stage yawning and rubbing his eyes. Must be hard winning a premiership and having people want to congratulate you!

[Refried Noodle]

HighFlying:
Does anyone of the public get to hold the cup?

[ScottH]

Originally posted by HighFlying
Jem is Jeremy, and he's just turned 2! But it may have had something to do with my cute sister flashing Nick a killer smile! Heehee!

Don't get me wrong, I like Ben Mathews, but he can be a bit sans enthusiasm at times. Sat on the stage yawning and rubbing his eyes. Must be hard winning a premiership and having people want to congratulate you!

Oops, My Bad..

You better post some pics of your sister too, I reckon!!!

[goswannie14]

Originally posted by HighFlying
Don't get me wrong, I like Ben Mathews, but he can be a bit sans enthusiasm at times. Sat on the stage yawning and rubbing his eyes. Must be hard winning a premiership and having people want to congratulate you!

Isn't that just Ben Mathews being Ben Mathews??? You've seen him play footy.

[Jeffers1984]

Here is a new article RE: their tour so far

http://sydneyswans.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=237040

[Go Swannies]

Originally posted by HighFlying
Jem is Jeremy, and he's just turned 2! But it may have had something to do with my cute sister flashing Nick a killer smile! Heehee!

Don't get me wrong, I like Ben Mathews, but he can be a bit sans enthusiasm at times. Sat on the stage yawning and rubbing his eyes. Must be hard winning a premiership and having people want to congratulate you!

I think he's a bit shy. I was operated on by the same people that fixed Ben's foot the week after the GF. I mentioned that he's pretty quiet and they replied "not once we got him talking about footy!"

[HighFlying]

Originally posted by Refried Noodle
HighFlying:
Does anyone of the public get to hold the cup?

You could line up and get your photo taken with the cup. One couple put their baby in it! An interesting alternative to the Anne Geddes-style baby in the tub etc!

[Northern_Swan]

All in all it was a pretty good afternoon- the players were good ambassadors for the Swans and the code in general.

Once again though, the Newcastle media gave little pre promotion for the event, and confusion over the starting time ensured that people were walking (running) into Number 1 Sportsground as the presentation was taking place, keeping the roll up well under the 1,000 or so that rolled up in Coffs. (i'd estimate there would have been about 400)

M B-H copped a few groans though when in his speech he dropped a bueaty:

?Obviously the Newcastle Knights are everyone?s favourite team but we are just happy to have an AFL presence here and hopefully we can be looked-upon as the second favourite team of choice, albeit in a different code,?

A large % of the crowd were from the local AFL community and most of those who I didn't recognise were dressed in Swans merchandise and it was pretty obvious he was preaching to the converted. Obviously any reference to the No-Neck code in the AFL community is met with derision.
I personally think that the AFL underestimates the popularity of the code here, but perhaps I get a bit passionate & excited at times (i've been told by many that I do )

As I said at the top though it was great to see the cup, great to see the Swans up here & I cant wait for the community camp (even of it is Carlton coming up) & i'll see you all up here for the Pre-Season match in March

[bloodz&guts]

Had a great yesterday in Newcastle, we drove two hours to get there as we come from around the Taree area but is was well worth it. Shook Benny Mathews hand and congratulated him and he was quite good, had a quick chat as we were getting autographs (on my old South jumper) all the players were friendly and obliging. My daughter (who I brainwashed from a early age into following the Swans) and me had some great photos taken with the Cup. All in all a great day held the Premeirship Cup, great weather and company, well recommend it if you get the chance.
Cheers Greg

[HighFlying]

Piccies of my son and sister with Barry and Nicky at the Newcastle leg of the tour. Sorry, just being a proud mum/sister...

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d111/neckcrackerpopper/Dsc00926.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d111/neckcrackerpopper/Dsc00927.jpg