From the Outer - Swans website

[Mountain Man]

As A Sydney convert to the game, the family involvement has been one of the great joys of AFL and the Swans. I started taking my 2 boys when they were quite young, and they now share the passion.

We have 'road trips' each year as a family (yet to lose a game we have gone to!) as well as our trips to the SCG.

Loved the article.

[joemoore12]

As A Sydney convert to the game, the family involvement has been one of the great joys of AFL and the Swans. I started taking my 2 boys when they were quite young, and they now share the passion.

We have 'road trips' each year as a family (yet to lose a game we have gone to!) as well as our trips to the SCG.

Loved the article.

Thanks mate. The family involvement has been a huge part of my love for the Swans.

You'll get no greater environment for a family sporting event than a Swannies game at the SCG. Can't beat it.

[Danzar]

Superb piece of writing Joe. It could easily be a script for the short doco style narrated pieces the TV networks put together each year.

[Hotpotato]

Cracking piece Joe , loved it .
The only thing I would expand a bit on is the special exuberance for everyone but especially the kids that kick to kick on the hallowed ground brings.
To be running amok on the very turf , (looking up to the stands not down from ) upon which young Heeney has just deftly and almost invisibly fended off a giant, given an almost imperceptible hand pass to Buddy who bends it like Beckham through the big ones is a fantastic blast .
Balls flying in every direction , someone's eye is on it , some not, and they might cop a falcon , then laugh their heads off . Huge blokes tackling little kids , girls kicking in high heels , 20 mins of footy mayhem .... Maybe there's another 6 year old Buddy out there somewhere that will bring us back in years to come .

[Conor_Dillon]

As A Sydney convert to the game, the family involvement has been one of the great joys of AFL and the Swans. I started taking my 2 boys when they were quite young, and they now share the passion.

We have 'road trips' each year as a family (yet to lose a game we have gone to!) as well as our trips to the SCG.

Loved the article.

MM can you please jump in the car and drive to Perth this weekend then

[joemoore12]

Cracking piece Joe , loved it .
The only thing I would expand a bit on is the special exuberance for everyone but especially the kids that kick to kick on the hallowed ground brings.
To be running amok on the very turf , (looking up to the stands not down from ) upon which young Heeney has just deftly and almost invisibly fended off a giant, given an almost imperceptible hand pass to Buddy who bends it like Beckham through the big ones is a fantastic blast .
Balls flying in every direction , someone's eye is on it , some not, and they might cop a falcon , then laugh their heads off . Huge blokes tackling little kids , girls kicking in high heels , 20 mins of footy mayhem .... Maybe there's another 6 year old Buddy out there somewhere that will bring us back in years to come .

You're exactly right. May well be another piece in that alone! It's a beautiful chaos.

[Primmy]

Another slice of life from the stands, and it was great! Well done Joe.

[joemoore12]

Thanks Primmy, Danzar, Gerald. Very happy that it's brought some enjoyment to Swans souls.

[mcs]

Thanks mate. The family involvement has been a huge part of my love for the Swans.

You'll get no greater environment for a family sporting event than a Swannies game at the SCG. Can't beat it.

Hard to argue with that Joe..... the Swans at the SCG has a very different atmosphere to most other grounds in Australia (Not saying other grounds are bad - I love getting to away games as well). It just feels right and a great family atmosphere.

I am gradually getting my better half educated about the game, and she loves going to the SCG for games. I throughly enjoy seeing all the families that go to games, and the parents with their little 'troupes' of kids, all decked in red and white, all getting the proper footballing education they need. Maybe its just more noticeable at the SCG than other grounds, I'm not sure - but I look forward to doing the same with kids of my own some time in the future.

Awesome article by the way as well

[joemoore12]

Hard to argue with that Joe..... the Swans at the SCG has a very different atmosphere to most other grounds in Australia (Not saying other grounds are bad - I love getting to away games as well). It just feels right and a great family atmosphere.

I am gradually getting my better half educated about the game, and she loves going to the SCG for games. I throughly enjoy seeing all the families that go to games, and the parents with their little 'troupes' of kids, all decked in red and white, all getting the proper footballing education they need. Maybe its just more noticeable at the SCG than other grounds, I'm not sure - but I look forward to doing the same with kids of my own some time in the future.

Awesome article by the way as well

Agree 100% MCS. Has such a unique atmosphere and feel. I haven't seen it replicated at any other venue or sport.

[Triple B]

I throughly enjoy seeing all the families that go to games, and the parents with their little 'troupes' of kids, all decked in red and white, all getting the proper footballing education they need. Maybe its just more noticeable at the SCG than other grounds, I'm not sure - but I look forward to doing the same with kids of my own some time in the future.

Our group moved to reserved seats in the Trumper this year after 30 years in the Red Zone. The new stand blows and given the reserves playing curtain raisers are just about a thing of the past, we don't have the motivation to get there 2 hours early to get the seat of our choice.

The thing that struck me on Saturday was how many families and kids were around us, so need to watch my P's and Q's. It may have been a problem 10-15 years ago when I was a bit 'louder' at games, but shouldn't be too much of a problem now unless Big Al decides to join the great unwashed for a day and forego the Brewongle experience...

[Big Al]

The thing that struck me on Saturday was how many families and kids were around us, so need to watch my P's and Q's. It may have been a problem 10-15 years ago when I was a bit 'louder' at games, but shouldn't be too much of a problem now unless Big Al decides to join the great unwashed for a day and forego the Brewongle experience...

Not sure my Brewongle minions will allow me to shlep with the common folk.

[Primmy]

Our group moved to reserved seats in the Trumper this year after 30 years in the Red Zone. The new stand blows and given the reserves playing curtain raisers are just about a thing of the past, we don't have the motivation to get there 2 hours early to get the seat of our choice.

The thing that struck me on Saturday was how many families and kids were around us, so need to watch my P's and Q's. It may have been a problem 10-15 years ago when I was a bit 'louder' at games, but shouldn't be too much of a problem now unless Big Al decides to join the great unwashed for a day and forego the Brewongle experience...

We translocated to the Trumper too BBB. The new Noble is bloody awful. Cold, windy, and full of boozers. Such a great thing to once again be surrounded by everyone actually watching the game instead of drinking themselves into oblivion or loudly discussing what flights they were taking to get to Europe. We are surrounded by kids, and they all watched the game! Even the dreaded squealers behind us; I think we have about five years before they transmogrify into sophisticated young ladies, but still.......at least they knew the play and the players (squeal) and didn't require hotdogs in the middle of Buddy kicking a goal. Bliss.

Anyone who is stuck in the Noble, there appear to be available reserves seats in the Trumper and its only $15 PER YEAR more!!!

Really miss the Ressie Watching tho.

[Jewels]

We translocated to the Trumper too BBB. The new Noble is bloody awful. Cold, windy, and full of boozers. Such a great thing to once again be surrounded by everyone actually watching the game instead of drinking themselves into oblivion or loudly discussing what flights they were taking to get to Europe. We are surrounded by kids, and they all watched the game! Even the dreaded squealers behind us; I think we have about five years before they transmogrify into sophisticated young ladies, but still.......at least they knew the play and the players (squeal) and didn't require hotdogs in the middle of Buddy kicking a goal. Bliss.

Anyone who is stuck in the Noble, there appear to be available reserves seats in the Trumper and its only $15 PER YEAR more!!!

Really miss the Ressie Watching tho.

Doesn't look like the new Noble has too many fans, our mob also relocated back to the Trumper this year for the very reason you did Prims and it was so wonderful to be surrounded by like minded folk again. ????

[firsty]

I have also moved from the red zone to a reserved seat in the Trumper. With the Thursday and Friday night games this year, getting to the games from Erskine park after work is not that much of a problem when you know your seat is reserved
I also picked up an old motorbike to make the trip that much quicker and cheaper as parking is free