Angry, but Loyal

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by lizz
My brother sent me a book for my birthday a few weeks ago that I have nearly finished reading, called 'The Consolations of Philosophy', which takes all kinds of human distresses (such as unpopularity, inadequacy - including sexual inadequacy, poverty) and discusses how some famous philosophers have turned them on their heads and thus offer consolation for them.

Maybe we can console ourselves with the thought of how dull it must be to be a Brisbane supporter at the moment, knowing that every year your team is going to win the premiership. What do they have to talk about with each other?

LOL - Very good!!

[Schneidergirl]

Originally posted by lizz
Maybe we can console ourselves with the thought of how dull it must be to be a Brisbane supporter at the moment, knowing that every year your team is going to win the premiership. What do they have to talk about with each other?

LMAO!!!

[ScottH]

I don't know how many of you guys were, supporters in the early nineties, but that was a black period.

I remember a game against Carlton when we were in front. Leon Harris was playing exceptionally well in defence. He went off injured in the last Qtr. The Swans rolled over and died. I said to my wife if they lose this I'm outta here. They LOST!!!

Trouble was, who do I support now??? mmmm tuff decision.

I thought for a while and the following week ended up back on the Swans Bandwagon. At least back then, I could go out and get a beer and come back and not miss a Swans Goal. (and no q's for anything).


Ah the good old days!!!


I'm still here on the Swans Bandwagon a Decade later......... Now thats Loyalty et al!!.

I guess the Old SMFC fans have shown a lot of loyalty, good onya Grubby!

[anne]

Originally posted by lizz
The bad times make the good ones all the much sweeter when - or if! - they eventually arise.

Personally I can't envisage not going to a home game, even if I believed we have no hope of winning (which of course I never would). It just wouldn't happen.

I used to feel that way but now I am finding that I don't enjoy a win much as I think "great we won, but we'll probably lose next week". I just don't trust them anymore. I am sure it is the Sydney mentality where it is just not so important whether they win or not, that has a huge effect on the team. A Melbourne based team would just not get away with a performance like last week. All hell would break loose, questions would be asked and something would be done. No-one cares that much in Sydney (it's probably a much healthier attitude).The posters on this board who live in Sydney are not typical of most fans in Sydney. I was in the Noble stand on Sunday and most people didn't really seem particularly upset. One of the people I was with couldn't believe it. He was more upset with the supporters than with the team! I don't think anything will ever change in Sydney - it is just a different place.

[Go Swannies]

Originally posted by anne
I used to feel that way but now I am finding that I don't enjoy a win much as I think "great we won, but we'll probably lose next week". I just don't trust them anymore. I am sure it is the Sydney mentality where it is just not so important whether they win or not, that has a huge effect on the team. A Melbourne based team would just not get away with a performance like last week. All hell would break loose, questions would be asked and something would be done. No-one cares that much in Sydney (it's probably a much healthier attitude).The posters on this board who live in Sydney are not typical of most fans in Sydney. I was in the Noble stand on Sunday and most people didn't really seem particularly upset. One of the people I was with couldn't believe it. He was more upset with the supporters than with the team! I don't think anything will ever change in Sydney - it is just a different place.

This is a very strange statement. You're right not to trust them - 15 of 16 teams will let their supporters down this year (and last year, and next). If I didn't trust the players I wouldn't go to the matches. I may be disappointed by the team but I trust them as my representatives.

But it's the Melbourne/Sydney comparison that really floors me! "People didn't seem upset" - what do you want us to do: spit? It's only Round 7, there's no need for the tears that many of us shed at the PF last year. I've never walked away from the SCG amongst so many people as subdued as on Sunday. The person next to me asked why all the fans were so quiet during the game and I replied that it was because we were watching a disaster unfold. The team need to lift us - as Bazza did with the Swans' last goal - us much as we can lift them.

You say in Sydney it's not so important if they win or not. Isn't winning what Sydney is all about - the reason it is now Australia's leading city while Melbourne has subsided to dowager status? Isn't Sydney regarded elsewhere in Oz as too crass and competitive while in nice cities like Melbourne and Adelaide there's at least time to stop for a nice latte?

I get really tired of this crap that Swans fans aren't real footy fans because they don't live in Melbourne. Gee I bet the Lions wish they had some real fans, too - they even play in the sunshine up there, the sooks.

"All hell would break loose"? Where? do you want a punch-up in the carpark a la Port? Articles in the paper? That happened in the SMH and the Tele. But the Swans are playing the way the Melbourne media thought they would so why should they be surprised enough to "ask questions"?

If I found that the team and coach weren't upset about the game on Sunday then I wouldn't trust them either. But I think that's unlikely to be true and "something will be done". Whether it's effective, who knows? I'll be there next time, hoping. And there will be some others there with me.

[Damien]

Originally posted by Go Swannies
This is a very strange statement. You're right not to trust them - 15 of 16 teams will let their supporters down this year (and last year, and next). If I didn't trust the players I wouldn't go to the matches. I may be disappointed by the team but I trust them as my representatives.

But it's the Melbourne/Sydney comparison that really floors me! "People didn't seem upset" - what do you want us to do: spit? It's only Round 7, there's no need for the tears that many of us shed at the PF last year. I've never walked away from the SCG amongst so many people as subdued as on Sunday. The person next to me asked why all the fans were so quiet during the game and I replied that it was because we were watching a disaster unfold. The team need to lift us - as Bazza did with the Swans' last goal - us much as we can lift them.

You say in Sydney it's not so important if they win or not. Isn't winning what Sydney is all about - the reason it is now Australia's leading city while Melbourne has subsided to dowager status? Isn't Sydney regarded elsewhere in Oz as too crass and competitive while in nice cities like Melbourne and Adelaide there's at least time to stop for a nice latte?

I get really tired of this crap that Swans fans aren't real footy fans because they don't live in Melbourne. Gee I bet the Lions wish they had some real fans, too - they even play in the sunshine up there, the sooks.

"All hell would break loose"? Where? do you want a punch-up in the carpark a la Port? Articles in the paper? That happened in the SMH and the Tele. But the Swans are playing the way the Melbourne media thought they would so why should they be surprised enough to "ask questions"?

If I found that the team and coach weren't upset about the game on Sunday then I wouldn't trust them either. But I think that's unlikely to be true and "something will be done". Whether it's effective, who knows? I'll be there next time, hoping. And there will be some others there with me.

I think what she is saying - and to what I agree, is that Sydneysiders are more blas? about these things.

They enjoy the wins, but ignore the losses. A gross generalisation but it rings true for a lot of the people I have seen turn up.

You will always have a hardcore that are just as passionate as the Melbourne based fan of any club, but Sydney generally loves a winner and is unaffected by losers.

[Doctor J.]

Originally posted by Margie
It may beggar belief, but two people sitting near us (decked out in their Swans gear) were clapping and singing the Richmond song at the end of the game!

I don't understand how anyone can do this.

Those people should be taken out the back, lined up before a firing squad, and shot.

Well not literally. But I wish them a lifetime of misery

[BAM_BAM]

We also had someone singing the Richmond song, but to my astonishment, also had a Richmond scarf tucked away in the bag Mum also noticed it and with light hearted scarcasim noted "well that person didn't take long to jump ship"

I was gob smacked and mumbled something about proabably an expat who did support them. But it really shocked me.

We also had the same thing happen last year when we played the Pies, some of the people in front of us, who I would call Swans supporters turned up wearing balck and white. I think I was silent for about 5 minutes. I just pointed my finger at them and opened my mouth like then I was (I love smilies)

One thing I loved on Sunday, but it broke my heart a little, but also mad it feel warm for our future. The little boy (4 yr old I think) behind us was at his second game ever and cried when the siren went and he realised we'd lost.

[Go Swannies]

Originally posted by BAM_BAM
We also had someone singing the Richmond song, but to my astonishment, also had a Richmond scarf tucked away in the bag Mum also noticed it and with light hearted scarcasim noted "well that person didn't take long to jump ship"

Maybe not jumping ship. I think many Tigers fans have a "second team" and those living in Sydney probably adopt the Swans. Personally, I don't understand second teams - what do you do when you first and second teams play each other?

[dread and might]

there was a kid behind us who turned up wearing both scarves! maybe he is just a fan of football and has a collection of 16 scarves, anyway he left happy. good on ya young fella.

seriously though, i did a bit of angry yelling in frustration, but i think a lot of people were expecting us to come back and were surprised when we didn't. the weather probably didn't help, but, as others have said, what do you want a punch up? people threatening to tear up their (plastic) membership?

as we were walking back there was a group of people who seemed intent on causing trouble (too much beer i'm guessing) and they were swans supporters! we were just like WTF? you might be angry but there's no reason to go taking it out on anyone else, especially people who support the same team. just get to the ground next game and help lift your team. i am wagering that these beer monsters won't be there until the swans start winning again.

[Damien]

Originally posted by Margie
It may beggar belief, but two people sitting near us (decked out in their Swans gear) were clapping and singing the Richmond song at the end of the game! Having followed my beloved Swans for a couple of decades, the most exciting year for me was '96 and I've never quite reached (in terms of trust and confidence) those heights since.

I have to admit that I have been to a few non swans matches in Melbourne and sung my heart out to the Richmond song, I love it. Great club song and I really don't like the Tigers at all.

I don't know how any real swans fan could have sang it on Sunday though, they should have been too upset to sing!