Lone Sydney fan

[Damien]

I liked the fact he stirred things up.

The worst thing about following the Swans is our Sydney supporters (the Melbourne ones are great). There is such a lack of passion, chanting, banter etc. There is also this whole moral high ground thing creeping in where we are critical of an umpire who gives us a soft free, not booing past players or turning on those who yell out 'ball' on a 50:50 call in the hope of influencing the umpire.

A Collingwood chant going up around the ground was embarrassing. They may be feral, however at least they are loud and can support their team. They are even far better organised at getting a simple chant going. We seem to have the clap clap clap bit down pat, but when it comes to yelling out "Sydney", there is @@@@ all.

Obviously Sydney is a fickle market and maybe it needs to start within the cheer squad? I know at the moment it is looked upon as a collection of society's rejects. This must change.

A home game in Sydney is far from a fortress.

Yep, I am sick of the home crowd in Sydney. Get a bit excited and OUR fans give you a look.

On Saturday night, myself and a few others were getting way to into the game and basically going off our nuts for most of the 2nd half, NO SWANS FANS around us (Aisle 129) were doing anything except stare at us when we made a stupid comment or whatever. So annoying, when I go to any game in Melbourne, I watch fans go berserk and let loose. I'm not talking swearing here or whatever, but just showing some fair dinkum out of control passion.

Generally pretty OK in the O'Reily stand (moved from the Conservative upper Brewongle a few years ago ahaha)

Ahhh, anyway what can ya do! Just wish I felt like I was at the footy sometimes and not some conservative piano recital.

[Kirkari]

I went to a Collingwood Swans game at the MCG a couple of years ago with my daughter. We were sooooooo annoying that when we lost (as we so often do against the pies), the whole section of the crowd we were in got up, turned around, and sang their stupid song at us. So proud!
...
p.s The reason we don't chant like the Europeans is that our game is exciting, and soccer is so boring. What else is there to do but make up a cheer or 2
p.p.s can handle the latte sipping, burbury wearing, frowny faced swannies crew, it's the supporters who sit there and bag their own at every opportunity that really get me. If you can do it better, go out and win your own bloody Brownlows

Good work on the first part - you know you've been supporting properly when the opposition finds it necessary to give you something back.

Your PS - good point, and I do like that we shut up and watch when there's action, but would love to see (hear) a lot more after goals, at throw ins, etc., especially when we're NOT going so well and the players could do with a bit of a lift.

Your PPS - "If you can do it better, go out and win your own bloody Brownlows." Too funny.

[Sauce]

Futbol is a game of patience and skill. Though I can see why ADD AFL fans call it boring.

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

WTF???

I described how I felt the cheer squad is looked upon. Not the way I felt.

Learn to read buddy, then get back to me.

I must apologise wholeheartedly if that is what you meant.

JF

[Big Al]

I must apologise wholeheartedly if that is what you meant.

JF

Your a class act JF... Not many people have the guts to apologize when they're wrong.

It's not something I've ever needed to do. When you're right all the time there really isn't a need.

[Cardinal]

If things go to plan this week, you won't need to stay back very long, most will be gone by 3/4 time...

I hope so - I think the away fans are normally asked to stay behind because it takes so long to catch a bus back into town.

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

p.s The reason we don't chant like the Europeans is that our game is exciting, and soccer is so boring. What else is there to do but make up a cheer or 2

How can I have an argument with somebody who is so ill-informed? I'm more into football BACAUSE I am allowed to support in ways that are simply impossible in the AFL any more. Nothing is sanitised. I'm allowed to be an adult & support in an adult fashion, without people giving me patronising looks.

Yes, Australian Rules is generally a faster game, so songs & chants cannot be horribly long or complicated. But this doesn't stop fans at SANFL level from singing their heads off every week. If fans in the SANFL can be creative & DIFFERENT, why can't we be in the AFL as well?

http://youtu.be/ZhK2UV9TWnI

Sadly the sanitised corporate product the AFL wants to present to sponsors has meant that Cheer Squads are very very tame imitations of what they once were. Banners are censored to the point of them being little more than advertising tools. The wit & banter of yesteryear are seen as offensive to clubs paranoid of their 'brand'. The Melbourne Squad made a banner after our finals win against Port in 03 when we came to visit the next season that said "Remember September, we're BAAAAAAAAAAACK!" The crowd didn't like it & booed like crazy when we came out. Worst of all we got taken to town by the club CEO saying that was one of the most disgraceful things he had ever seen. I'm like "WTF, that banner was heaps awesome. It stirred up all the Port ferals" !?

But this digresses from my point, Sydney Swans fans CAN create the best atmosphere in the comp, as we did against Carlton in the final last year. So we must definitely are capable of creating atmosphere when we want to.

JF



JF

[Kirkari]

Futbol is a game of patience and skill. Though I can see why ADD AFL fans call it boring.

So is chess. Because we're right?

[Sauce]

Because we're right?

Hardly.

Each to their own I guess.

[Captain]

I must apologise wholeheartedly if that is what you meant.

JF

Appreciate it.

I think you will also find we have reasonably similar views on this whole topic.

[Captain]

Ahhh, anyway what can ya do! Just wish I felt like I was at the footy sometimes and not some conservative piano recital.

Spot on. My feelings too Damien.

[sharp9]

Just to confirm...the reason soccer fans chant so much is that that is the only way to really create atmosphere as so little happens worth actually cheering about! (Played soccer for 15 years to a pretty high level, BTW...brilliant to play, but....)

Anyhoo - did anyone notice the Eagles fans give the chant near the end of the Carlton game at Etihad. Not that you can blame them, sheesh what a win. Unlike our performance, every time Judd or Murphy got the ball they were swamped and often coughed it up. Oh for some midfield defence like that from the swans!

Lastly - does anyone know for sure when the "Sydney" chant started? I recall the Bombers prelim....but before that? And, more importantly were we the first in the AFL to use that distinctive, slow down a minor third call?

[erica]

Lastly - does anyone know for sure when the "Sydney" chant started? I recall the Bombers prelim....but before that? And, more importantly were we the first in the AFL to use that distinctive, slow down a minor third call?

Round 22 in 1996 versus West Coast at the SCG. I'll never forget the way the hairs on the back of my neck stood up! Amazing experience.

[Big Al]

Round 22 in 1996 versus West Coast at the SCG. I'll never forget the way the hairs on the back of my neck stood up! Amazing experience.

One of the greatest nights in Swans history. It's a moment that should be at some time included in the Hall of Fame imo.

[Primmy]

Can confirm categorically it was R22 1996 against Crows, SCG, in a minor cyclone. Definite HOF.