Thank you from an Eagles fan

[W84]

My respect for the Swans and their supporters is immense.

After the game, I was in a pub that was crammed with Eagles and Swans supporters. The Swans supporters were shattered and had looks of disappointment on their faces, yet they had the dignity to remain at the pub and act gracefully. They even shared in singing ballads with us. I shook a lot of their hands, and they were only too welcoming to share in pleasent conversations. Bitterness was lost within every single one of them.

One Swans bloke even gave me a Weg poster to take home.

My respect towards the Swans as a club, team and supporter base has grown so much over the last couple of years, and it grows with every meeting between us and you guys.

You guys are awesome.

Like I said to many of the Swans supporters yesterday and last night, "We'll see you next season".

Much respect, and comiserations on the loss.

/W84

[Mike_B]

It's only ever a small minority of supporters who give their team's supporters a bad name as a whole.

In talking to a lot of Eagles fans outside the ground, at Crown etc we all seemed to agree that it was a great game, and 1-1 over the last 2 years was a fair result. There was definitely a level of mutual respect and understanding of what each other were going through with experiences of last year to draw on.

[desredandwhite]

YEah, every team has a small number of idiot supporters (including us, I will admit!!) that spoil it for everyone. And if you are unlucky enough to encounter the boorish behaviour, then that can sometime colour your perception of all fans of that club.

All I know is, after the game, through the night, and even this morning/afternoon, I shook a hell of a lot of eagles' hands (wings?) and offered my congratulations. Without exceptions, they were all gracious winners, and commented on the excellent fightback of the Swans.

Probably helped that I stayed away from the pubs and bars last night where alcohol may have made for some loutish behaviour

[ben.carbonaro]

Originally posted by Mike_B
It's only ever a small minority of supporters who give their team's supporters a bad name as a whole.

In talking to a lot of Eagles fans outside the ground, at Crown etc we all seemed to agree that it was a great game, and 1-1 over the last 2 years was a fair result. There was definitely a level of mutual respect and understanding of what each other were going through with experiences of last year to draw on.

I definately agree with that comment, although there are some clubs who have more negative and feral supporters than positive ones.

Apologies for not posting at all during the season on here, had another big season of VFL footy working with Werribee and increasing media work meant less time on forums for me.

[satchmopugdog]

W84.. I wish you had been sitting behind me instead of the guttermouth Weagles supporter(20 year) I had.

The best thing is it made me realise what a good job I have done bringing my kids up.

[ben.carbonaro]

What happened?

Just foul language all day and that sort of thing was it?

[satchmopugdog]

I won't go on about it any more. It has helped unloading on here so I'll just move on now........(as if).....

[Casey36]

Its true that only certain supporters put a bad name on there team by the way they carry on sometimes and its a shame, so we have to remember not to always judge teams based on those people.

Except if your Carlton or Collingwood.. there all scum of the earth so judge em as much as you want!!

[ben.carbonaro]

That's right, althouigh I would Collingwood supporters are more feral than Carlton ones.

[Damien]

Thanks W84 - was really good for me to see this thread.

I had to put up with some pretty heavy and agressive heckling last night and this morning, and I really wasn't up for it. It was liked being yelled at after a funeral (I know that is a bit dramatic, but was my feeling at the time) The minority have short memories me thinks!

[Sico 17]

I have to agree with W84 that the Sydney fans were great. I sat next to the Swans Cheer Squad section and I thought you guys were brilliant during the game and for staying during the presentations (i know how hard it was to stay last year).

It is great that not only the players from each team have respect for each other but so do most of the fans.

It has been a fantastic rivalry over the past 2 years and now it is 1 all. Hope to see you next year at the MCG for the decider!

[swan_song]

Definitely a mixed bag from Eagles fans...good rapport , pats of the back and hugs and congratulations on our amazing 2nd half fight-back from the Eagles supporters around where some of the family were sitting...but vile, abuse from those around where the rest of the family were seated...and rude gestures, swearing and spitting at the car (with its red and white ribbons) from a pair of (drunk???) eagles yobbs as we drove out of the ground...
I can't recall seeing any abusiveness last year directed to Eagles supporters from Swannies, but as Swans we were so euphoric at the victory that geering Eagles fans never crossed our minds...I would have hoped the same would be true in reverse...

[Casey36]

Yeah, there are great supporters out there and then there's some idiot ones like for example an Eagles supporter after the match who thought it was alright to smile and wave at me and let us know how much Swans are losers. Then tried giving us his 'Go Eagles' sign, well i coulda ripped it in half and threw it at him.. but i wasn't thinking fast enough lol !!
Argh.. !!

[swansrock4eva]

I thought they were generally a lot better this year than last - before the match I came across many and we'd have a joke and be able to wish each other well etc. There were a couple of morons but they were the vast vast minority. Then on Saturday they were jubilant of course (but so were we last year), but again the vast majority were very gracious in their victory - wishing each other well next year, complimenting each other's teams for such an amazing recent history etc etc. I found myself genuinely happy on Saturday night being able to congratulate them (to a point of course!). I'm still upset that we lost but the shoe is on the other foot for both teams now - we know what it's like to lose by such a tiny margin and what it's like to win by a tiny margin.

[mocaholic]

There are idiots everywhere.

Most Eagles fans were as magnanimous as I believe we were last year, to both clubs enormous credit. 1 - 1 is a fair representation of the closeness of our teams. This is reflected also in the way the players have obvious - and huge - respect for each other.

















Would prefer 2-0 however. Gotta say it.