Who was there in 1996?

[pillowtalk]

How does the comparison shape up?

I remember the hype that year. Everyone who was anyone had jumped on the bandwagon and was barracking for the swans. I was dating a league player who, ironically, put on a bbq and invited all his boof-headed friends to watch the game. (I don?t think the game stayed on the full 4 quarters) I resorted to the small tele out the back to watch with one other interested person. I?m certainly making up for that this time round!

In 1996 there seemed much more media involvement and everything in Sydney was a mass of red and white. The build up was huge. There was even a state reception for the team.

This same week feels a little subdued in contrast. Or maybe the whole Hall incident has made it feel flat. In saying that I guess it is only Monday. Hopefully by the end of the week it?ll be all about the swans.

Anyone go to the game in 96? How does it feel to be back?

[BayesysLeftBoot]

Re: Who was there in 1996?

Originally posted by pillowtalk
How does the comparison shape up?

I remember the hype that year. Everyone who was anyone had jumped on the bandwagon and was barracking for the swans. I was dating a league player who, ironically, put on a bbq and invited all his boof-headed friends to watch the game. (I don?t think the game stayed on the full 4 quarters) I resorted to the small tele out the back to watch with one other interested person. I?m certainly making up for that this time round!

In 1996 there seemed much more media involvement and everything in Sydney was a mass of red and white. The build up was huge. There was even a state reception for the team.

This same week feels a little subdued in contrast. Or maybe the whole Hall incident has made it feel flat. In saying that I guess it is only Monday. Hopefully by the end of the week it?ll be all about the swans.

Anyone go to the game in 96? How does it feel to be back?

I went and your right the build up was different but I think this was largely because the swans were the comps whipping boy for many years beforehand and were seen as a sentimental favourite. Also at that stage the last 4 flags hadn't been won by interstate sides which I think makes it different for us now.

The dunkley incident had everyone just as frustrated as the hall one does, so i guess in that sense it is similar. The day itself was fantastic and I know this one will be just as good no matter how the Hall situation turns out.

The loss was crushing but after following the swans throught their 26 game losing streak even making the GF seemed like a dream come true and in many ways the PF vs Essendon was our Grand Final.

[Plugger46]

I was there. The first quarter of it was one of the most enjoyable quarters I've seen. When Lockett pushed Grant out of the way and snapped that left foot goal, it was spine tingling stuff.

Sadly, the rest of is was very ordinary.

It feels great to be back. Can't wait til Friday for the parade, and then to watch the boys on Saturday.

[The Undertaker]

I wasn't there in 1996.

Like i said in another thread,i was more of a casual supporter.i watched games on tv but didn't go to them until 1997.I do admit,i jumped on the bandwagon but the difference between me and other 'supporters' is that i didn't jump off when times weren't as rosy!

I do remember the hype and build up going into the 1996 GF and all the media focus when we had that great season in 1996.Everyone loved the swannies.

I was at a family bbq on GF day 1996.Ironically it was in Kogarah and St George was into the ARL GF and the Saints area was washed in Red and White(remember the good old days when the league and AFL grand finals were played on the same weekend).

My uncle was a St George fan and went for the swans too.

Everyone was tuned in when the game started and there about 50 swans supporters to one North supporter at the party!

[BayesysLeftBoot]

Originally posted by The Undertaker
I wasn't there in 1996.

Like i said in another thread,i was more of a casual supporter.i watched games on tv but didn't go to them until 1997.I do admit,i jumped on the bandwagon but the difference between me and other 'supporters' is that i didn't jump off when times weren't as rosy!

I do remember the hype and build up going into the 1996 GF and all the media focus when we had that great season in 1996.Everyone loved the swannies.

I was at a family bbq on GF day 1996.Ironically it was in Kogarah and St George was into the ARL GF and the Saints area was washed in Red and White(remember the good old days when the league and AFL grand finals were played on the same weekend).

My uncle was a St George fan and went for the swans too.

Everyone was tuned in when the game started and there about 50 swans supporters to one North supporter at the party!

lol, I remember when we travelled up for the PF all the people on the streets seeing me in red and white and yelling out "Go Dragons"

[Norris Lurker]

Pillowtalk's experience with a leagueie is one of the big differences - in 1996, rugby league was at a low ebb with the super league war ripping the guts out of the game and no-one wanted to know about it.
Whereas this time rugby league is strong and still pulling in good crowds and plenty of media attention so the Swans won't get the monopoly on sporting attention like in 1996.
But it'll build up during the week.

[The Undertaker]

Originally posted by Norris Lurker
Pillowtalk's experience with a leagueie is one of the big differences - in 1996, rugby league was at a low ebb with the super league war ripping the guts out of the game and no-one wanted to know about it.
Whereas this time rugby league is strong and still pulling in good crowds and plenty of media attention so the Swans won't get the monopoly on sporting attention like in 1996.
But it'll build up during the week.

Yes.

Very good points NL.

With underdog teams such as the West Tigers doing so well in this NRL season,the media love stories like theirs so a lot of focus has been of them a lot.

However the media has been supportive of the Swans in both electronic and print,and as Norris Lurker pointed out it will build as it gets closer to the day.

[BayesysLeftBoot]

Originally posted by Norris Lurker
Pillowtalk's experience with a leagueie is one of the big differences

Yes, fortunately I decided not to date a league player, which apparently was the done thing at the time. I'm not sure what would upset my old man more: If i was gay and came out of the closet or if i started watching rugby league.

[swansrock4eva]

YEah I was there in 96, and as has been said it was a very different build-up - this time around seems to feel a lot more low-key which I actually don't mind - if there isn't the weight of the state so much as there was then, I think the pressure is a little different- not necessarily less, but just different.

But it all still rocks!

[dawson]

No RWO in those days - enough said.

[Cher]

I was there in 96. I went with my Mother who had just come out of hospital after a triple heart bypass and Paul who was the first swans supporter that I met on the internet (Anniswan was the second) Paul was in the USA and got his family to mail his membership to me and I queued up from about midnight after getting a 10pm flight home from Sydney after the prelim, had our tickets at about 9.20am - that was easy beign able to go to any ticketmaster in Australia.
The hype was a lot different for me, most of my family on Dads side have always been Swans/South supporters and I grew up following them, there was no doubt about it, if I followed footy it had to be the red and white.
There was no Melbourne office at the time and we got no correspondence from Sydney at all. I had no idea how to get a ticket in the Cheer Squad even though I was a member.
I think this year the hype is a lot more as I have so many friends here from RWO, and in the Cheer Squad, instead of just being with one or two others there will be excited people all around me.
Now I just have to get through the week!

[Wardy]

I went by default - filled in for someone who was too sick too go.
It was a great atmosphere, but the Dunkley thing soured it.
And then the game - which we really weren't in it - was a bit of a fizzer.

This time it has been so much fun - so many of us queueing up and getting to know new people.
The excitement of getting the tickets and just getting stuff organised.
Its different this time - I'm enjoying every minute of it

[S.U.D]

I remember some of the hype during the week, but not much.

I remember some of the press that the dunkley report generated.

My memory of the game is interesting. I was in hospital for the day, getting all 4 wisdom teeth out under general anesthetic. I awoke just before the game started.

I watched the first quarter and a bit from the hospital bed. I remember hardly being able to lift my arms, but still pumping both fists and yelling a very muffled "yes" through a mouth full of cotton balls when plugger snapped a goal.

I got given the green light to leave during half time.

I remember the drive home in the car, not very happy when we started falling behind.

I remember being back home for the presentations, I remember the north song playing over and over, me not having the energy to get up and reach for the remote.

Not a happy day!

[lescygnes]

i still have nightmares hearing join in the chorus at jolimont railway stn after the game heading out to greensborough with JF.

this time is waaaaaaaaaaaaaay different.

you should see the media in brisbane. having had the Brions in the GF for the last four years, there is still alot of media interest up here considering the similarities between us and the lions when they first won the flag.

brisbane lions fans are 150% in support of the swans this weekend, i can assure you all!!!!! well the ones i know anyways.

john

[Matt79]

Aaaaaahhhh memories!!

I was there, 16 years old, greatest day of my life and just thought that it would happen again the next year. Finally 9 years later I return but this time going home with every other Swan's fan a WINNER!!