Sydney Bloods?

[Matty10]

I'm not sure of all the history but if I may be rude, South Melbourne ultimately failed to keep its identity in Melbourne through, partly, a lack of support financially, memberwise and unrewarding on field results. The Sydney Swans was slowly built after some really tough times in a non Aussie Rules environment. That new identity must be honoured and celebrated. I'm originally a South Australian but my love of the Swans has been forged over the years since we both 'LOL' arrived here in the early 80s. It's great to draw on the Bloods tradition and a new and traditional Melbourne supporter base, but I love the fact that essentially our identity is Sydney and we're helping slowly build a new AFL culture in a foreign environment.

The Swans are undoubtedly Sydney’s team, but this is club football and the identity of our club is inextricably tied to, connected with, and a legacy and continuation of the South Melbourne Football Club.

People can connect to any aspect of our club’s rich history as they see fit - and it is good that they do. But the existence of one part of our identity does not cancel out the other.

The dual aspect of our identity is writ large. It is present on our guernsey, in our colours, within our club song and in the stands of the SCG.

[Bloods05]

The Swans are undoubtedly Sydney’s team, but this is club football and the identity of our club is inextricably tied to, connected with, and a legacy and continuation of the South Melbourne Football Club.

People can connect to any aspect of our club’s rich history as they see fit - and it is good that they do. But the existence of one part of our identity does not cancel out the other.

The dual aspect of our identity is writ large. It is present on our guernsey, in our colours, within our club song and in the stands of the SCG.

Amen, eloquently put.

[dimelb]

The Swans are undoubtedly Sydney’s team, but this is club football and the identity of our club is inextricably tied to, connected with, and a legacy and continuation of the South Melbourne Football Club.

People can connect to any aspect of our club’s rich history as they see fit - and it is good that they do. But the existence of one part of our identity does not cancel out the other.

The dual aspect of our identity is writ large. It is present on our guernsey, in our colours, within our club song and in the stands of the SCG.

Hear, hear.

And I love watching the bloke in the cheer squad who waves around a big flag with BLOODS for everyone to see, and will always remember the way Brett Kirk was struck by it and insisted we use it for the team as well as the fans.

[bloodspirit]

Hear, hear.

And I love watching the bloke in the cheer squad who waves around a big flag with BLOODS for everyone to see, and will always remember the way Brett Kirk was struck by it and insisted we use it for the team as well as the fans.

I thought you meant literally smitten when I read that the first time.

[Meg]

I thought you meant literally smitten when I read that the first time.

So did I, with images of the recent Tour de France disastrous wipe-out in my memory bank! [emoji3]

[Aprilbr]

Ironically, your post was the 11th response to the original post. The number worn by Mark Browning for most of his career

(he started with #43, his dad, the late Keith Browning was also a South player)

Yes, GoSwannies. You are right on the money there. He was steeped in Bloods history and then went on to embrace the Sydney connection too. In the past couple of decades he has been involved in AFL talent identification in Qld. The article below talking about his induction into the Swans Hall of Fame tells some of this interesting history.

Mark Browning Chosen In Swans Hall Of Fame - Suncoast Power - GameDay

[Aprilbr]

The Swans are undoubtedly Sydney’s team, but this is club football and the identity of our club is inextricably tied to, connected with, and a legacy and continuation of the South Melbourne Football Club.

People can connect to any aspect of our club’s rich history as they see fit - and it is good that they do. But the existence of one part of our identity does not cancel out the other.

The dual aspect of our identity is writ large. It is present on our guernsey, in our colours, within our club song and in the stands of the SCG.

This is a brilliant post and sums it up so well for me.

[Aprilbr]

I'm not sure of all the history but if I may be rude, South Melbourne ultimately failed to keep its identity in Melbourne through, partly, a lack of support financially, memberwise and unrewarding on field results. The Sydney Swans was slowly built after some really tough times in a non Aussie Rules environment. That new identity must be honoured and celebrated. I'm originally a South Australian but my love of the Swans has been forged over the years since we both 'LOL' arrived here in the early 80s. It's great to draw on the Bloods tradition and a new and traditional Melbourne supporter base, but I love the fact that essentially our identity is Sydney and we're helping slowly build a new AFL culture in a foreign environment.

Personally, I love both parts of our history. They are complimentary. Its unique in the competition to have those two identities. The Brisbane Lions/Fitzroy link is not the same as only a few Fitzroy players joined the Brisbane Bears list whereas we relocated an entire team from Melbourne.

[KSAS]

Nice to read tbe Club trained at the Lakeside Oval today. First time they would have done so in 40.years?

[Matty10]

Nice to read tbe Club trained at the Lakeside Oval today. First time they would have done so in 40.years?

That’s really cool. They run their junior skills sessions there too for junior club members and kids from South Melbourne Districts (although I’m not sure if that happened this year - and certainly not last year).

[stevoswan]

The Swans are undoubtedly Sydney’s team, but this is club football and the identity of our club is inextricably tied to, connected with, and a legacy and continuation of the South Melbourne Football Club.

People can connect to any aspect of our club’s rich history as they see fit - and it is good that they do. But the existence of one part of our identity does not cancel out the other.

The dual aspect of our identity is writ large. It is present on our guernsey, in our colours, within our club song and in the stands of the SCG.

Great post!

[Mark26]

It's also great news that our heritage guernsey is going to be worn again this weekend as well as for all remaining away games in 2021. Long may that continue! I love the red V even though I, like a number of other supporters started following the Swans after their relocation to Sydney. There's room in this supporter's heart for all of the South Melbourne / Sydney Swans / Bloods' history.

[MattW]

It's also great news that our heritage guernsey is going to be worn again this weekend as well as for all remaining away games in 2021. Long may that continue! I love the red V even though I, like a number of other supporters started following the Swans after their relocation to Sydney. There's room in this supporter's heart for all of the South Melbourne / Sydney Swans / Bloods' history.

I was really pleased to read this. I'm from Sydney, now in Canberra, but am proud of the club's South Melbourne history and am impressed by the club's respect for that history.

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[Meg]

I was really pleased to read this. I'm from Sydney, now in Canberra, but am proud of the club's South Melbourne history and am impressed by the club's respect for that history.

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+1 I’m delighted to read this.

[bloodspirit]

It's also great news that our heritage guernsey is going to be worn again this weekend as well as for all remaining away games in 2021. Long may that continue! I love the red V even though I, like a number of other supporters started following the Swans after their relocation to Sydney. There's room in this supporter's heart for all of the South Melbourne / Sydney Swans / Bloods' history.

+3