I came to be a supporter of our beloved Swans later in life.
Brought up in Sydney and therefore rugby league territory in the 60s, I probably hadn't even heard of Aussie Rules until I moved to Albury-Wodonga to join a community theatre group in the mid 80s. It was there I met my partner, Paul.
Paul had grown up loving Aussie Rules and playing the great game (according to him: fabulously!). Back then, he was more of a North Melbourne fan given the Ovens and Murray area was zoned to North Melbourne. He took me to a few local games. I was entertained but hardly hooked.
It wasn't until we moved to Melbourne in the late 80s, and our daughter was born (in 1991), that we started following the Swans. We were heavily influenced by our daughter's Godfather who was a massive Bloods supporter.
The day I knew I was completely hooked as a die-hard Swannies supporter was that magical last September day in 2005 - yes "Leo Barry you star!"
How I didn't end up on a defibrillater is one of life's great mysteries, and to this day I'm still one of those hysterical embarrassing fans. And proud of it!
My only regret is that somehow I missed that famous, match-winning, four-goal Nick Davis performance - "I see it but I don't believe it" - over Geelong just weeks before. Needless to say I've seen it a hundred times since. But haven't we all?!
Since then I've soared the heights of elation and plumbed the depths of despair side-by-side with every other die-hard fan.
I have been an ambassador for about eight years. Paul and I can be seen screaming for our beloved Swannies at most SCG games and the odd interstate game.
Favourite players? Where do I start? In no particular order: Paul Kelly; Brett Kirk; 'Big Bad' Barry Hall; Jude Bolton; Micky O'; the amazing and greatly loved Adam Goodes; Tony Lockett; Paul Roos; Tadhg Kennelly; Adam Schneider; Jed Lamb; Keiran Jack; Jarrad McVeigh; Teddy Richards; Dan Hannebery; Josh kennedy; Gary Rohan; Isaac Heeney...the list goes on and on!
Oh, and who could ever leave out a certain Lance 'Buddy' Franklin!!!
After last year's amazing performance I join the throng of devoted Swannies fans who can't wait to see our boys go one step further in 2017!!
GO YOU MIGHTY SWANS!!!
