Explore the incredible experiences, chance encounters and special moments that shape our supporters in Member Stories, presented by Lifeblood.

“I had never seen or heard of anything intricately to do with the AFL…,” Bailey Field admitted to Sydney Swans Media.

“I had a couple of friends that were interested in it and kept talking about this thing that was going to happen. This guy's going to kick his 1000th goal and you're going to get to run on the field - it's going to be really cool.”

Footy fans and first timers alike had their attention glued to the SCG field on that Friday night in May 2022. But unbeknown to Field at the time, he’d be captivated by the red and white before that historic kick.

“I got half a game of football in, and I was absolutely hooked on what still is the best atmosphere I've been involved in at the game.”

Field hasn’t missed a home game since.

Despite being a casual fan of the cricket, the now three-year member had never been a wired-on spectator of sport. His passion for the Sydney Swans has now changed his life.

The following year Field signed up as a member and volunteered his time with the cheer squad.

“I'm not someone to do anything by half, so I sort of started to reach out and got involved with the cheer squad,” he explained.

“I've been pretty heavily invested in that for a while now, and getting to be on the ground on Grand Final day doing the banner in 2024 was cool. That's a memory I treasure.”

His involvement with the club at the highest level inspired Field to join grassroots footy.

“I said to my mates, I’m going to apply, I want to be involved. I contacted my local club, and I went from there. I've been training twice a week with them since I started.”

His favourite part of playing?

“I think the fitness. I really enjoy the changes made to my life…the satisfaction when you get something right, because it takes a lot of work to play the game the way you want to play with the 21 other guys on the field with you. When it clicks and it works, it's really satisfying.

“Without that moment happening in Sydney, I wouldn't be anywhere near the sport and now it's part of my life.”