The first few years after the premiership were grim,but ended up bonding me to the club for life. Not because we struggled to play good football – we consistently made the finals,and had another two grand final appearances and a couple of minor premierships – but because of the deep injustice dealt to Adam Goodes. The inability of the AFL,most in the media,and the wider community to acknowledge the racism and harm being perpetrated against a legend of the game,and a legend of Sydney,was hard to weigh up against my growing love of the sport.
For relatively new fans of the code,it was an era full of contradictions. How was it possible to deeply immerse yourself in an institution and a culture that was making it clear it had little regard for Indigenous players? On the other hand,wasn’t being a proudly staunch Swans,and Goodes,supporter the best way to strike back against those who insisted “it’s not about race”?
Ultimately,Goodes walked away from the game – one of its greatest tragedies – but for the 2012 generation,it was a galvanising period. We joined at a joyous moment,and we raged together during a bleak one. There was no turning back.
Being a Swans fan,even in Sydney,can be an isolating experience. Not only were you dismissed by those in the Melbourne-dominated league,within your own city you belong to a tribe that has historically little support outside a few wealthy inner-city pockets. Trying to get friends together to go the pub to watch a game was always an endeavour.,both because not that many people cared about AFL and because Sydney’s pubs largely remain staunchly loyal to rugby league (shout out to the Warren View for always making Swans fans feel at home).
At times,it was hard to avoid being jealous of friends in Melbourne,who packed out venues across the city,pubs full to the brim of fans in scarves and guernseys,chanting their team songs and celebrating the city’s famous love of footy. So,when it came time to make the move to Melbourne,I couldn’t wait to experience it for myself.
Of course,I didn’t expect the same level of community spirit as Richmond fans who meet up on Swan Street (great name,by the way) and then march down to the MCG together. But being in a city that cared about footy,even if they didn’t share my love for the Swans,was enough.