You’ll struggle to find a more animated Sydney Swans supporter in the stands than long-time member Tom Jellett.
So much so the 46-year-old has brought his animation to life on a page, illustrating his burning passion for the Swans and Australian rules football in a book titled Why I Love Footy.
Authored by Michael Wagner and illustrated by Jellett, the children’s book paints a picture of a family’s experience at the footy.
Released in 2015 and available through the Swanshop, Booktopia and all other good book stores, Why I Love Footy shows the teams, playing positions, charging through the banner, enjoying pies and hot chips and fans in their thousands sing the victory song.
Jellett says the book is perfect for kids who love going to the footy, as well as for those who haven’t yet got a glimpse of the “unforgettable experience”.
“Going to the footy as a family is a wonderful time and this book takes the reader on the journey from home to the footy,” Jellett told Swans Media.
“Everything there is to love about cheering on your team at a game – the bright colours, the chants and cheers, feeling part of a team – is all on the pages of this book.
“Whether you live and breathe footy and have already gone to a game, or whether you haven’t yet been introduced to AFL, this book offers a vivid insight into the experience of a footy game.”
It was at Sydney’s semi-final clash with the Adelaide Crows at the SCG in 1998 that Jellett first got a taste of cheering on the Swans at a game.
The Crows led at every change en route to a 14.10 (94) to 10.7 (67) victory, but the 27-point loss wouldn’t dampen Jellett’s sprouting love for the Swans.
Coincidentally, Jellett had just moved from Adelaide to Sydney to take up a position as an illustrator with News Limited, now known as News Corp – and, as he joined a colleague in the stands for his first Swans game, it wasn’t the club from his home state but the red and white that hooked him from the get-go.
Jellett had only ever followed SANFL club the Glenelg Tigers, but in the Swans’ last game of season 1998 he’d finally strike a passion for a team in top-flight footy.
Seeing in the flesh greats of the game like Tony Lockett, Paul Roos, Stuart Maxfield and Daryn Cresswell ignited a flame still burning with fervour today.
“That Swans team was packed full of superstars, with Lockett, Roos, Maxfield and the rest – and captain Paul Kelly wasn’t even playing on the day,” Jellett said.
“Swans fans used to go to the footy to see those great footballers play. They were so good to watch in action what they were all able to achieve in their careers was testament to that.”
A fresh-faced, skin-and-bone Jarrad McVeigh with a head full of hair arrived at the Swans from the Penant Hills Demons just days after Kelly had hung up the boots, signing with the club via its first-round selection, and pick number five overall, at the 2002 AFL Draft.
McVeigh has since become Jellett’s favourite Swans player, and he’s now also an enormous fan of the rising Isaac Heeney.
He insists “there is just so much to love about the Sydney Swans” – and it’s not only in the stands but his book Why I Love Footy, that his love for the red and white shines through.
