Chance encounter....

[SthMelbDieHard]

In '95 I was enjoying a beer at "The Vic" hotel in Darwin when the whole Swans squad (except Plugger) rolled in on their end of season trip. One of the greatest nights of my life as got to personally congratulate Kells on his Brownlow win. At one stage I was challenged to name each player (I'd had a few) and remember doing well until I called the lone blood nut Stevie Wright...it was Leon Higgins.

[Plugger46]

I went to the Bob Skilton tribute night at crown in 2005. Had the pleasure of meeting him - very nice bloke.

I've met Peter Bedford a couple of times as well. Great guy too.

[CJK]

Actually have another one - was having lunch bought for me for my birthday in Cafe Sydney (yes, yes, very ritzy) and Paul Roos took the table next to us. Was September 26 07

Was just outta ear shot but head a few things but was clearly trying to big up the Swans (how we only needed some flair to really compete) and Sydney itself (the view from Cafe Sydeny speaks for itself).

He was with someone with him, assumed it was an agent. Was hoping it was Judd's. Obviously it wasn't.

They drank white, didn't see what they were eating.

[AnnieH]

I'd love to have a chance encounter with Goodsey!!

[Chookbilly]

My parents went to Sydney for a trip a couple of years ago. (they're from Melbourne).

Whilst they were up there, none other than Ronald Dale Barassi asked them for directions!..... naturally, they were unable to help.

[ScottH]

In the late 80's during the Edelsten Era, the boys were waiting for their bags at the carousel at Sydney Aiport.
Leanne was obviously the designated bag collector.
They all just watched her retreive the bags while watching her bend over in her tight white slacks, while The Doc had his Porsche booked by the Fed Police for parking on the no stopping strip of the airport.

[Industrial Fan]

My parents went to Sydney for a trip a couple of years ago. (they're from Melbourne).

Whilst they were up there, none other than Ronald Dale Barassi asked them for directions!..... naturally, they were unable to help.

I met Ron H. Barassi after a gig.

Does that count?

[connolly]

I sat next Roos on a flight back from Melbourne. He had actually pinched my seat but I graciously accepted his so he could be across the aisle from his family.

So the b****d even takes the flooding negative defensive option on the trip home!

[giant]

We saw BBBH near Edgecliff once & I wound the window down so the twins could call out "Big Barry! Big Barry" - he somewhat bemusedly waved back. When we drove off, one twin commented "I luv Big Barry. I wish he was my boyfriend." To which the other replied "I wish he was my Daddy." When I asked where that left me they told me I could be the nanny...

God help me when they become teenagers.

[DeadlyAkkuret]

We saw BBBH near Edgecliff once & I wound the window down so the twins could call out "Big Barry! Big Barry" - he somewhat bemusedly waved back. When we drove off, one twin commented "I luv Big Barry. I wish he was my boyfriend." To which the other replied "I wish he was my Daddy." When I asked where that left me they told me I could be the nanny...

God help me when they become teenagers.

Lol, that's hilarious

[Big Al]

I'd love to have a chance encounter with Goodsey!!

I think stalking can raise your chances.

[Big Al]

We saw BBBH near Edgecliff once & I wound the window down so the twins could call out "Big Barry! Big Barry" - he somewhat bemusedly waved back. When we drove off, one twin commented "I luv Big Barry. I wish he was my boyfriend." To which the other replied "I wish he was my Daddy." When I asked where that left me they told me I could be the nanny...

God help me when they become teenagers.

Just tell em if BBBH was their daddy they would have turned out butt ugly.

[Bas]

Apart from obvious spots, here are my few:

1. Young McVeigh at Tuggerah Shopping Centre with his Mum a few summers back;

2. Luffy shopping with his kids at the supermarket in Dec 04 whilst I was on holidays at Salamander Bay at Port Stephens;

3. Micky O with family shopping at Terrigal Markets in Nov 07 (just before pre-season). His wife was not impressed as he had the pram and doing the 10 second stop per stall whilst she was looking at childrens clothing;
4. Brett Kirk at a Scientology meeting. Just kidding....

That's about it. All three outside of footy season.

[BigBarryRound25]

I've been lucky to have a few memorable encounters (not all chance though) these are the ones that stick out:

I have a mate whose wine agency was an Essendor sponsor in 2006. We got to go to Melbourne for the opening round (disastrous game), however the Grand Prix was on that weekend and it was awesome. Anyway back on topic we had the privelige of attending the bombers chairmans dinner. As I arrived in my best suit and Premiership Tie (trying to kid myself that someome might mistake me for a former player or at least a club official!) I was nervous at how I would be received at the Essendon chairman's dinner. I was immensely relieved to see I wasn't alone in showing the red and white colours. Anyway back to the topic again we sat at our table and I was amazed at all of the people that I recognised in the room but the one that excited me the most was that Richard Colless sat on the table next to ours.

As I digress again (and please indulge me as I'm not a regular poster) 2005 was a big year for me and my family given that my 78 year old dad died suddenly in August having been a lifelong Swans supporter and mum had also lost a battle with cancer a couple of years ealier - neither of them saw our beloved Red and Whites live the dream and in my 40 years I was beginning to wonder if I would ever see it. Back on track again; in between entree and main I plucked up the courage to approach Richard Colless to express to him just how much effect that '05 win had on me.

Richard could have hardly been more gracious and he offered me a chair at his table, we sat and talked, he intoduced me to his guests which included Roosey's dad and my head was spinning. Richard impressed me with the enthusiasm & passion he had for the club and he assured that we were on the brink of a dynasty. To this day I maintain 100% confidence in the club and the way it is administered (even though I was pretty secptical after the result that night).

Memorable moment number two we had some Swanny friends from Gosford visit us in Mildura GF week 2006, we watched that painful game together and their company (and the copious amounts of alcohol consumed) really helped soften the blow of the events of that day. My friends phoned me from a bakery and as they were sitting enjoying their lunch having just purchased Swans guernseys for theirtwo boys who walks into the bakery but Goodsey. he was only too happy to oblige them with autogaphs on their new jumpers. This was great news for them bu I must say my six year old swans fanatic son was a bit put out because he missed out. Anyway I am sitting on the couch with a beer in hand later that night when my phone rings and it is a mate who has a restaurant and who is in there having dinner - none other than Goodsey. I grab my sons guernsey and dad's member's hat and head into the restaurant. I left the gear with my mate as the crowd Goodsey was with was pretty heavy duty (Mayor and other "VIP's) and the next day I had all of my stuff signed and a very kind note for my son from Adam.

Memorable (although not a player) in October 2005 I had booked rock icon Nick Barker to perform at a corporate event I was organising. While doing some research on him I was delighted to learn that he is an absolute mad Swannies man. He is a great guy and we swapped plenty of stories. The real highlight came after the gig when at the after party (under the stars on the banks of the Murray river) which nick and the band jamming with the indigenous entertainers we also had booked and the young bloke playing the didge just happened to be Jamie Lawson's brother (I know that is clutching at straws a little). The night just turned into a Swannies love fest and i will never forget it.

As I said I have been really lucky to have other encounters but these are certainly my favourites - and I got to big note myself a fair bit too.

I also enjoy having former Swan Michael Wright call on me every six weeks as a sales rep for a wine company - it's really nice to share a coffee and reminisce about our team at the same time solving all the current team selection and management issues.

Thanks for the indulgence.

Go you mighty Swannies!!!

[Cher]

Actually have another one - was having lunch bought for me for my birthday in Cafe Sydney (yes, yes, very ritzy) and Paul Roos took the table next to us. Was September 26 07
.

That's my birthday! How come I wasn't invited?