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Sydney Swans Events

Sydney Swans Citi Corporate Lunch

In front of over 500 guests at the Hilton Sydney, the career of Sydney Swans premiership-winning coach Paul Roos was honoured at the Citi Corporate Lunch on Friday, July 30.

It was a fitting tribute for a man who played 356 games for Fitzroy and the Sydney Swans over 17 seasons, before becoming the Sydney Swans longest-serving and most successful coach.

Renowned as an astute tactician whose leadership skills have transformed the art of coaching, the tributes to Roos flowed throughout the lunch.

Guests were given an insight into the man as a player and coach with the three eras of his career represented with video tributes and personal accounts as guests traded stories and shared their special memories of the man known as ‘Roosy’.

Representing the Fitzroy era where Roos debuted in 1982, was 1981 Brownlow Medallist Bernie Quinlan and current Sydney Swans Assistant Coach and Fitzroy team-mate John Blakey.

Sydney Swans Hall of Fame inductee, Bloods Legend and former captain Paul Kelly, along with Sydney Swans Manager, Player Development Stuart Maxfield told tales of what it was like to play alongside Roos when he came to the harbour city in 1995.

Roos’ final era as coach of the Sydney Swans saw Michael O’Loughlin and current co-captain Craig Bolton speak of how Roos had influenced not only their playing careers but also helped shape them as people.

Renowned speed painter Brad Blaze was also on hand to dazzle the audience as he produced three artworks, two of which were portraits of Roos and Brett Kirk, in less than 20 minutes which were auctioned off to close proceedings.

Adding to an afternoon of highlights, former Fitzroy team-mate turned trainer on the international tennis circuit Brett Stephens spoke of Roos’ legacy and demonstrated that his influence extended far beyond the football world with a special video tribute.

One of the famous faces in Stephens’ tribute was legendary tennis player and winner of 77 titles including three Wimbledon victories, John McEnroe, who wished Roos the best for his future.

“Roosy, I want to first congratulate you on all those years. You’re retiring now and I wish you the best in the future,” McEnroe said.

“I want to thank you early on in both our careers when you advised me that I should question a lot of calls. If it wasn’t for you I wouldn’t have this reputation.

“Good on you mate!”

 

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