To celebrate the new 30-year partnership between the Sydney Swans and the Sydney Cricket Ground, the SCG has today unveiled a plaque recognising the Club’s first official game at the venue in 1982.
SCG Trust Chairman Tony Shepherd joined SCGT CEO Jamie Barkley, Sydney Swans Chairman Andrew Pridham, Sydney Swans Chief Executive and Managing Director Andrew Ireland, and 1982 player and Team of the Century member Dennis Carroll, for the announcement.
The commemorative plaque features the names of all 22 players who pulled on the red and white guernsey in the Club’s Round 1 clash with Melbourne on March 28, 1982 – which the Swans won by 29 points.
It has been an extraordinary journey for members and supporters since South Melbourne permanently relocated to Sydney and called the SCG home.
The SCG has been at the centre of historic football moments including Tony Lockett’s record breaking 1300th goal, Sydney’s one-point preliminary final victory over Essendon in 1996, Nick Davis’ “I see it but I don’t believe it” semi-final in 2005 and plenty of Adam Goodes’ spectacular goals and Brownlow Medal winning performances.
SCG Trust Chairman Tony Shepherd said the unveiling of the plaque is significant.
“This marks the Swans’ first game here at the SCG, so it’s a very, very historic occasion for us and for them,” Shepherd said.
“The Sydney Swans had a real struggle at the start but I think they’ve displayed off-field the same resilience and determination they’ve displayed on-field and that’s the reason we are here today to celebrate.
“As a club, the Swans are really booming. They had over 56,000 members last year, they’re a constant fixture in the finals and they’re well established in Sydney and in New South Wales, so we congratulate them for that.
“The Sydney Swans have brought millions of fans to the SCG over the course of the 35 years and we expect this month to get the eight millionth fan visiting the SCG to watch the Swans, which I think is a wonderful record.
“We are not just celebrating the 35 years as this is the start of a long-term contract – a 30-year contract – between the SCG and the Swans to play all of their home games at the SCG.”
Lining up on the half-back flank for the Swans in Round 1, 1982 was Carroll, who has vivid memories of the match and the feeling around the Club at that time.
The Swans Hall of Fame member and former captain said it was a momentous day for the Club.
“It brings back fond memories; there was a lot of expectation, a lot of pressure, there was a huge build up to the game,” Carroll said.
“The summer leading into that game had the Club split in two so the weight on the players’ shoulders that day was enormous.
“I remember running out to a really healthy crowd, a really energetic crowd, and it was a tight game where we got over the line in the end – the relief at the end of that game was enormous.”
The Sydney Swans embark on the next 30 years at the historic venue on Saturday, when they kick off their 2017 premiership campaign against Port Adelaide.
Sydney Swans SCG Facts
- The Swans have played 361 games at the SCG (won 214 – drawn 2 – lost 145)
- 38,066 points scored (average 105 points per game)
- 7,914,683 fans through the SCG turnstiles
- Six finals series games (SF 1998, 2005 and 2016), (QF 1996, 1998), (PF 1996)
- Sydney’s biggest win was against Essendon in 1987, winning by 163 points
- Adam Goodes played a record 143 games at the venue
- Tony Lockett holds the record for most goals kicked by a Swans player in a match with 12. He also kicked a record 295 goals at the venue
- Greg Williams holds the disposal record with a whopping 53
