Official Congratulations Thread

[Mike_B]

Hi everyone,

Despite the loss tonight, I think we will all agree that we have had a fantastic season, and I thought it would be fitting that over the next week or two, that we post our congratulations on a magnificent year, and fax these messages through to the club. Hopefully the words of support will ease the pain of tonight and make the boys even more determined to succeed in 2004.

[Mike_B]

While 2003 did not end as we hoped and dreamed it would, I would like to congratulate the Sydney Football Club on a truly magnificent season. This year was supposed to be a rebuilding year - imagine what we can achieve in the years ahead that we have set ourselves the aim of winning a flag!

To the players and coaching staff - you have done yourselves, the Sydney Football Club and all its supporters immensely proud this year, and I look forward to achieving even more in 2004 as we build on our successes of 2003.

Enjoy the well-deserved break and I look forward to seeing you out there again in February.

Onwards to Victory!

Mike

[liz]

I cried at the end of the game - but mingled in with the tears of disappointment and sadness were tears of pride, much the same as in 1996. What is it about watching a bunch of young men kicking a piece of leather around a cricket pitch that can stir the emotions so strongly?

Guys - you have won many new friends this season and I know most of them will be coming back next March for more. Not just by winning some games which were supposedly unwinnable, but by playing with spirit, guts and not a small measure of flair.

This year was fantastic but it was just the first step in the journey towards what you can achieve. Come back next year fitter and stronger still, and never doubt that the people of Sydney and a strong South Melbourne contingent will be right behind you every step of the way.

Go Swannies!

[swan_song]

Guys, I am so proud of your achievements this year. Lizz summed up my own feelings perfectly above, and I can't add much more. Maybe just this...next season every time you run onto the field, remember the photo of Cressa after the Port final...you give your heart, your soul your blood for this team, this club.
Swannies...how I love you.

[Glenn]

For a season where alot of people were writing the team off before a ball had be bounced. And when the results came they still continued to write off the team. To go this far for a team that supposedly was a wooden spoon candidate, it really is a fantastic effort and to all the players and coaching staff, A very heart felt thankyou and congratulations for a truly memorable season in 2003 and onwards to bigger and better things in 2004.

[chewyonyourboot]

Congratulations on a wonderful year! The team played with a spirit and determination which was awe inspiring...

The players and coaching staff have shown themselves to be truly great exponents of a great game.

I just can't express how much I have admired and respected your efforts this year.

[Rod_]

I am a member because I enjoy my footy and I have enjoyed my footy this year. This is because the Swans have had a go, we have had our ups and downs and at times I have shared in the fustrations, joy and been totally excited. I cannot ask for more. for this I thank all of the players, coaches ball boys and the runners.....

Having been involved in faxing, emailing and pleading to choose Roos. Signing up my wife to be a member after many years of "It being a bloke thing". Having 2 out of 3 daughters following the game. (Still working on the last one!) I feel that what we have achieved is quite remarkable. Well done.

I have already no plans for September of 2004. I feel that we may need plan a Melbourne visit in the last week of September.

I was very fortunate to get access to the Millenium Room after the game. When I was asked to go to the after function festivities I was wrapt as I was hopeful this was the launching pad to the last week of the finals. But after all the efforts and endevours I was still able to see how the well organised the team is.

Well down again, cheer cheer till next year.

Thankyou Swannies - I'll be back.

Rod_

Recruit well and go like hell.

[Schneidergirl]

Everyone above has said everything I was feeling and thinking.

You have made me so proud this year. Your heart and determination has been shown to all who watch. You are a credit to the harbour city.

ALL THE VERY BEST FOR 2004 and the years to come- may your strenght and leadership power you on to the final week in September, when we as supporters cry with pride when our team holds the 'HOLY GRAIL' proudly in the air.

I WEAR MY COLOURS PROUD!

CARN' THE BLOODS

[BAM_BAM]

At the beginning of the year I believed we'd be finalists. But I'm an optimist. What's the point of doing anything if you don't believe you can achieve your best. I thought we had the players who could stand up and at their best, be up there with the very best in the AFL.

The boys have played inventive and exciting footy, often resulting with our hearts in our mouths and heads in our hands. Our voices screaming in agony and ecstasy, sharing the pain of losses. Rejoicing with victories.

We had old hands steadying the ship whilst our young guns powered the way forward, guided ever so wisely by "our" coach and his team of assistant coaches. Not to forget their staff who ready the team and are the unsung heroes of the club.

I couldn't be prouder of all of you. The joy you have provided to us throughout the year has been wonderful. You're all a credit to The Club, the City Of Sydney and the AFL.

Hold your head high boys we all love you.

2003 wasn't meant to be. 2004 will be ours for sure!

Your future is bright

Go Swannies.

[EMJ]

To all the Swans Contingent: Coaches, Players, Office Staff and Fans

Congratulations on a fabulous season. A season beyond everyone's expectations. Hold your heads up high and look back on all the great games you played and won, against all odds, everyone wrote us off. You guys believe in yourselves and gave us supporters a great exciting year.

The year is over and another one beckons - a year to gain from the learning experience of this year.

Cresswell we will miss you - you gave great support and guidance this year. Your playing has been fantastic and you never stopped giving. I cried as you were chaired from the field, feeling sad for you. The guys gave it their all to try and get to the GF - it wasn't to be this year.

To Paul and the Coaches - thank you for your great coaching and giving us fans and supporters a great year to watch exciting and skilful footy.

2004 looms as another challenge - one that will be overcome and won because of the great coaching and playing of 2003.

Exciting times ahead - many more members we hope as you the players and coaches gave Sydney people a great spectacle of games for 2003.


Thank you all - Enjoy the Break.

[Bron]

Guys,

Thanks for adding magic to our year, for giving us a dream, for giving us the excitement and the thrill.

Thanks for giving us glimpse and then a long hard look at how good it can be, and will be.

Thanks for the brilliance and the bravery of the epic win over Port, and the other wins against the odds.

Thanks for exciting and mobilising a city behind you.

Maybe we need another year, to put it together, to show that it isn't a fluke, to build on the sound foundations that have been laid.

I'm anxiously anticipating a powerful Swans era! Onward to victory!

Bron

[Swansinger]

Thanks , lads - we are proud of you all.

Enjoy the summer , come back fresher , smarter and stronger for next year.
The Premiership IS coming our way before long.

[Swannette]

What a year! If reaching a home preliminary final is how you re-build, maybe we should go for broke next year Roosy?

Thanks guys for taking us on a fantastic ride, for putting your bodies on the line and so bravely winning against the odds, again and again. I am so proud of you all, I've shed tears of joy this year and been in awe at so many incredibly gutsy performances. Thanks for believing in yourselves, when the rest of the world (except us) didn't. Thanks for proving the 'experts' wrong.

Roosy and co, I salute you. You told us we'd be in for an exciting time and that's exactly what we got. Congratulations and thanks.

GO SWANNIES. We love you

[anniswan]

Thanks Guys for a year that no one would have ever imagined. Your couragous and inspirational form this year has brought so much pleasure to the fans, and provided bumper profits for the domestic airlines from us based in Melbourne. Remember how good it feels to win and carry it on to 2004.

AnniSwan, Jarrod and Riley

[tez]

Thanks team for a great season on and off the field.
Your efforts have done much to promote the club and
the game of Australian Rules Football in this state.
Well done.

... tez