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He was a very accurate kick. I recall Scott Direen as the designated kicker for quite a few of the games he played. Recruited from Tassy if I’m not mistaken,
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707 are you going to the SA Swans Supporter Christmas function?Comment
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The SA Swans Supporter Group works really hard to keep our presence strong. The Dinner looks like a cracker. Pity Stevoswan, Liz, AnnieH will not be attending. But bound to meet some fellow RWOers. Wait for it...the missus and I will be there!"Play like you can’t lose."Comment
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For any who attended the SA Swans supporters group dinner last night, how did you enjoy it? Thoughts? Feedback? Comments?Comment
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For me, I had a great night. $29.95 for a meal and a drink. The menu had several choices - I went the beef burger & chips and that was not too bad at all.
I think there may have been about 40-50 Swans supporters there. All were in good spirits and very friendly, chatting with each other throughout the night. Many wore various articles Swans clothing to show their passion for the Swans and the SA supporter group generously provided gifts of either a members cap or bum bag at each table place.
Guest speaker was former Swan Scott Direen. Early in the evening a video of courtesy of Langers1971 of Scott’s best game statistically was started on the big TV and it played throughout the evening in the background. It was really wonderful to see Scott sneak peeks at it every now and then and the periodic cheer went up when he appeared (that was pretty often, as he had over 30 touches during the game - a game high for the Swans, who were bottom of the ladder, the Blues 2nd top ... & the Swans won!).
Scott was an incredible guest. Chatted to pretty much everyone I think, but most impressively he seemed to remember everyone’s name and would address them personally each time he encountered them over the course of the evening. A true gentleman. He seemed to really enjoy being amongst Swans supporters. He engaged in conversation on all manner of topics showing a genuine interest in those that he spoke to.
After the meal, Scott was interviewed by Matty (a SA Swans supporter who had this role at a previous function with Marty Mattner). He was enthusiastic, honest and showed a genuine love for football, his career (in the AFL & SANFL) and his affection for the Swans themselves. He gave insights that were unique to players, talked about the difficult and good times during his career, his drafting from Tassie, playing with some of the great Swans, the pig being released at the SCG, Plugger vs Caven, the 96 Grand Final and so much more. The interview seemed to go for ages but was not at any point tiresome. The questions were well considered and the answers interesting, entertaining, enthusiastic & often quite funny.
Very well presented attired in a jacket and neat casual pants, later in the evening Scott removed his jacket and shirt to reveal a commemorative Swans jumper underneath that was presented to him at a past players function with his name and career stats embroided on it. And he insisted on a group photo with the entire crowd as a momento the evening. He aside from chatting away to supporters, Scott obliged by signing caps, jumpers etc all night and posing for photos with the most genuine smile in each and every one.
There were door prizes, raffles and 3 silent auctions. The 3 silent auction prizes were a hamper of Swans stuff valued at $195 (I think it was bought for less than this; a fully signed jumper donated by the club (I think it went for over $250); and a framed A3 photo of Scott. The first two attracted lots of bids (including a last minute one on the jumper). The last one was interesting - although I didn’t think it was particularly overtly promoted on the night, Scott was happy to sign it for the winner & personalise it - though the winner just had him sign it but not dedicate it to the buyer themself. Each to their own. Also, Scott’s photo only attracted 2 bids. The opening one was $50, the second was $100. All in all, good funds raised for the SA Swans Supporter Group. Scott also signed another A4 photo that will be auctioned next year.
With a bit of luck, Scott will attend another evening with his good friend and former team mate Dale Lewis. Fingers crossed!
That’s pretty much how I recall the evening.
The one thing I wish had happened was that the RWO people there had got together
Other than that, it was an awesome night!
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Wow that’s really impressive. You must have some really dedicated Swans supporters to organise a night like that.Comment
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Great stuff goswannies!He reminds him of the guys, close-set, slow, and never rattled, who were play-makers on the team. (John Updike, seeing Josh Kennedy in a crystal ball)Comment
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Just saying, the secret to slient auction success is to get in early and put 2 bids in. One high, One low.
Say an item is worth about $200.
Go first, and put a bid of $100 under your name. Then write a second bid of $600 under a fake name.
No one else will bid, the prize wont be claimed by the "winner", and then second bidder (you) will get it.
Brought to you by /r unethicallifeprotipsComment
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Just saying, the purpose of the silent auctions that night was to raise money for the SA Swans supporter group, to enable them to put on regular subsidised get togethers to watch games, sponsor a Swans player, buy a membership so that SA supporters can attend a game if they are in Sydney at an affordable rate etc.
If someone “did a barry” that night, it would have undermined the purpose of the auctions, and probably spoiled an otherwise wonderful evening.
The secret to the silent auction that night was that everyone bid in the right spirit, 3 people bought great prizes that they will treasure and the SA Swans supporter group gained some much needed funds.
Just saying.Comment
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Sorry I missed this one, had a conflicting wine group end of year dinner, WOTN was a 1970 Mildara Coonawarra Cabernet, could have been vinegar but was superb at 48 years of age!
The SA supporter group does a great job in organising these events. I'm so old I can remember where you hardly saw another Swans supporter at games but there's many more of us nowadays.
I've been to previous dinners and they are really good evenings, hearing the career stories of past players is very interesting and as a bonus you get to meet and chat with other RWO'ers! Thanks gowannies for your comprehensive run down of the evening, catch you at the next one.Comment
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Sounds like a great night.Wild speculation, unsubstantiated rumours, silly jokes and opposition delight in another's failures is what makes an internet forum fun.
Blessed are the cracked for they are the ones who let in the light.Comment
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