15 years ago today

[Meg]

To join in the reminiscing:

My interest (and subsequent passion) for the Swans was just blossoming in 2005 (having moved to Sydney in 2000).

I was down the coast in the Jervis Bay area (NRL territory) on the magic day and boarded a bus to return to Sydney during the final quarter of the match. The driver had the match commentary playing over the loud speaker (which perhaps indicated his own interest) but switched it over to some commercial radio crap as passengers settled in their seats.

I called out to him to leave the footy on, and was supported by (just) one other person. And the driver did ...

And we two passengers (and maybe more) clapped and cheered when the final siren sounded.

And I’ve been rusted on ever since [emoji122] [emoji3].

[stevoswan]

September 24, 2005 was my 42nd birthday. I had moved to Melbourne for the love of a good woman two years earlier and had two very small children. I had always been a supporter and went to many games when I lived in Sydney. Admittedly, usually as a corporate box guest but I was genuinely a fan. My passion for the game and particularly the red and white went to another level living in Melbourne.

I wasn't a member but my partner surprised me with a black market ticket the day before (what a present - she paid $300 for it off a child care worker whose whole family were AFL members affiliated to some other club). I had an awesome seat in the AFL members enclosure and remember having one of the best days of my life starting with 9:00 am beers at the Rising Sun on Raglan Street, South Melbourne (my work local at the time).

Been a member ever since and have managed to raise four Swans fans along the way. I remember being very confident after BBB Hall scored with a 50 metre bomb early in the 4th quarter. What a day. Interestingly, during the first COVID shutdown when Foxtel had nothing but replays I watched the game again for the first time in 10 years and got goose-bumps like I was watching live.

Great story.

[KSAS]

If i may indulge:
When the final siren rang, the heightened emotions running through me was just too much to deal with and i wept thinking of my dad who passed away few years earlier, not able to share this moment with him. Family also rang me with the same thoughts which made it worse and felt embarrassed, only to see Swans supporters around me doing the same! When Roos said the immortal words "Here It Is!!!" i let out a raw primeval scream venting out lifelong scars of struggles and near extinction for the club I've loved since birth. Didn't leave the MCG till i was politely asked to do so by security as the ground plunged into darkness and looking at the scoreboard one last time as it was powered off.

Met up with non Swans friends outside the G who then whisked me away to a Footscray Pub which had a framed South Melbourne No.14 Jumper, which i paid immediate homage to. However i didn't stay long as i was compelled to get to my old haunt Clarendon St and got cab there. The night was amazing as i did pub crawl bumping into people i know and got to see Leo Barry's mark properly as i'd posted earlier. The joy & adrenaline was running so high i only had 2 beers for the entire night. I sang the club song in front of the South Melbourne Town Hall which was draped in red & white. Caught last tram/train home & bought all the Sunday Morning papers as they were being delivered at my local 7-11. Got little sleep before heading off to Albert Park in the morning to join in the Premiership celebrations (got to touch the holy grail as Roosey paraded it among the adoring crowd). Saw Bobby Skilton being lifted on cherry picker to hoist Swans flag on top of the old Grand Stand as we were barred entry into the ground by the soccer club (Hellas).

Had the following week off as prearranged with my kind boss (Saints supporter) if we'd won, which i spent buying up premiership souvenirs, watching the Premiership Parade in Sydney and Grand Final DVD on continuous play. Utter Red & White indulgence!!!

[Blood Fever]

If i may indulge:
When the final siren rang, the heightened emotions running through me was just too much to deal with and i wept thinking of my dad who passed away few years earlier, not able to share this moment with him. Family also rang me with the same thoughts which made it worse and felt embarrassed, only to see Swans supporters around me doing the same! When Roos said the immortal words "Here It Is!!!" i let out a raw primeval scream venting out lifelong scars of struggles and near extinction for the club I've loved since birth. Didn't leave the MCG till i was politely asked to do so by security as the ground plunged into darkness and looking at the scoreboard one last time as it was powered off.

Met up with non Swans friends outside the G who then whisked me away to a Footscray Pub which had a framed South Melbourne No.14 Jumper, which i paid immediate homage to. However i didn't stay long as i was compelled to get to my old haunt Clarendon St and got cab there. The night was amazing as i did pub crawl bumping into people i know and got to see Leo Barry's mark properly as i'd posted earlier. The joy & adrenaline was running so high i only had 2 beers for the entire night. I sang the club song in front of the South Melbourne Town Hall which was draped in red & white. Caught last tram/train home & bought all the Sunday Morning papers as they were being delivered at my local 7-11. Got little sleep before heading off to Albert Park in the morning to join in the Premiership celebrations (got to touch the holy grail as Roosey paraded it among the adoring crowd). Saw Bobby Skilton being lifted on cherry picker to hoist Swans flag on top of the old Grand Stand as we were barred entry into the ground by the soccer club (Hellas).

Had the following week off as prearranged with my kind boss (Saints supporter) if we'd won, which i spent buying up premiership souvenirs, watching the Premiership Parade in Sydney and Grand Final DVD on continuous play. Utter Red & White indulgence!!!

Great post. I ended up at pub in South Melbourne. Fantastic scenes of jubilation. When I got home, my kids said I looked like I was in shock. I just sat down and watched the replay. Bigger than Texas!

[Sandridge]

If i may indulge:
When the final siren rang, the heightened emotions running through me was just too much to deal with and i wept thinking of my dad who passed away few years earlier, not able to share this moment with him. Family also rang me with the same thoughts which made it worse and felt embarrassed, only to see Swans supporters around me doing the same! When Roos said the immortal words "Here It Is!!!" i let out a raw primeval scream venting out lifelong scars of struggles and near extinction for the club I've loved since birth. Didn't leave the MCG till i was politely asked to do so by security as the ground plunged into darkness and looking at the scoreboard one last time as it was powered off.

Met up with non Swans friends outside the G who then whisked me away to a Footscray Pub which had a framed South Melbourne No.14 Jumper, which i paid immediate homage to. However i didn't stay long as i was compelled to get to my old haunt Clarendon St and got cab there. The night was amazing as i did pub crawl bumping into people i know and got to see Leo Barry's mark properly as i'd posted earlier. The joy & adrenaline was running so high i only had 2 beers for the entire night. I sang the club song in front of the South Melbourne Town Hall which was draped in red & white. Caught last tram/train home & bought all the Sunday Morning papers as they were being delivered at my local 7-11. Got little sleep before heading off to Albert Park in the morning to join in the Premiership celebrations (got to touch the holy grail as Roosey paraded it among the adoring crowd). Saw Bobby Skilton being lifted on cherry picker to hoist Swans flag on top of the old Grand Stand as we were barred entry into the ground by the soccer club (Hellas).

Had the following week off as prearranged with my kind boss (Saints supporter) if we'd won, which i spent buying up premiership souvenirs, watching the Premiership Parade in Sydney and Grand Final DVD on continuous play. Utter Red & White indulgence!!!

Wonderful post KSAS!

You and I may well have crossed paths as I, too, spent time at a packed South Melbourne Hotel, watching the replay and endlessly singing the club song. I also drove down Clarendon St and past the South Melbourne Town Hall. I then went to Albert Park the next morning. And like you, I had a good old cry numerous times during the following week.!

[stevoswan]

First time watching the replay in the afterglow of the actual event was such a joyous experience......pure bliss!

[Mel_C]

I can't remember how long after the grand final this was but the Swans had an informal gathering at a pub in South Melbourne to rewatch the grand final. I went with my dad and Tony Morwood arrived carrying a big gym bag. He went on stage and pulled out the premiership cup from the bag ????. We were all allowed to have a photo taken with the cup. I didn't have a camera and back then there were no smartphones. The owner of the pub was kind enough to take a photo using their camera and developed the photo for us. I will always be grateful to them. I can see the framed photo from where I'm sitting. It's close to a framed photo of us with the 2012 cup ????.

[mcs]

I can't remember how long after the grand final this was but the Swans had an informal gathering at a pub in South Melbourne to rewatch the grand final. I went with my dad and Tony Morwood arrived carrying a big gym bag. He went on stage and pulled out the premiership cup from the bag ????. We were all allowed to have a photo taken with the cup. I didn't have a camera and back then there were no smartphones. The owner of the pub was kind enough to take a photo using their camera and developed the photo for us. I will always be grateful to them. I can see the framed photo from where I'm sitting. It's close to a framed photo of us with the 2012 cup ????.

Reminds me of 2012, when I saw the team back at the airport the day after the grand final. They were carrying the Premiership Cup around in one of those huge Krispy Kreme bags that the dozen boxes fit into

[Blood Fever]

I can't remember how long after the grand final this was but the Swans had an informal gathering at a pub in South Melbourne to rewatch the grand final. I went with my dad and Tony Morwood arrived carrying a big gym bag. He went on stage and pulled out the premiership cup from the bag ????. We were all allowed to have a photo taken with the cup. I didn't have a camera and back then there were no smartphones. The owner of the pub was kind enough to take a photo using their camera and developed the photo for us. I will always be grateful to them. I can see the framed photo from where I'm sitting. It's close to a framed photo of us with the 2012 cup ????.

For a short time in Melbourne, the Danish Club on Beaconsfield Parade was the Swans Melbourne social club. I remember going there and you could line up and hold the cup. What struck me was how heavy it was. The Danish club is no longer there although the building still stands.

[Kafka's Ghost]

My partner and I were on the Swans’ half-forward flank, about 20 rows back from the fence. She’d been screaming “blow the siren” for five minutes, and we were both pretty hoarse by then. Cox gave Darren Jolley an almighty push in the back to take his mark, and we were terrified Hunter or someone from the Eagles would take a mark. We had a fabulous view of Leo Barry soaring across the pack, but didn’t hear the siren at all. What a great day; the extended family gathered afterwards, toasted the mighty Bloods, and sang Cheer, Cheer the Red and the White. 2005 and 2012 are two of the most wonderful experiences of my life.

[Jimitron5000]

I was in Rome. I found an Irish pub (Druid's Rock I think) that had the right TV station but they were going to be shut! Fortunately, the barman said he would turn the TV around and have it face toward the piazza. He was as good as word and at about 5 in the morning a few of us from the hostel turned up. We stole chairs from a cafe up the way a little bit, bought drinks from another cafe down the street and sat and watched it all unfold. The celebrations began in earnest (at about 8 in the morning) and continued long into the night!