The AFL stunned footy fans on Friday when it had announced that 15 out of the 18 club songs would be replaced* with new “fresh-sounding” recordings replacing the Fable Singers recordings that are loved by most fans and have been played at the footy for over 45 years!
(*The league has back flipped saying AFL clubs can choose what they play. Collingwood has already said they will stick with the original.)
Yes, it was the answer to a problem that didn’t exist and the majority of fans did not take kindly to their iconic club songs being tampered with. In the space of a few hours, the AFL went from mandating that they are played to letting clubs decide which version they want to use.
But this isn’t the first time clubs have thought to tamper with a classic. YouTube is full of some of the club tunes that lasted only for a short period of time only to revert straight back to their traditional song.
Sydney Swans: “Up There for Sydney”
When the Swans moved from South Melbourne to Sydney, they didn’t bring “Cheer, Cheer the Red and the White” and it’s famous banjo solo with them. Instead, to bring in the Sydney crowd they opted for an adaptation of “Up There Cazaly” with “Up There for Sydney”.
They even ran out to the song prior to the 1996 Grand Final against North Melbourne which they went on to lose. Fortunately, the Swans had brought back “Cheer Cheer” and its banjo in time for their 2005 drought-breaking flag.
Geelong: “The Cat Attack”
In the early 1990’s Geelong dumped “We Are Geelong” for a more “edgy” and “modern” tune – The Cat Attack. Geelong ran out to this song prior to the 1992 Grand Final against West Coast. If anything, Geelong fans should consider themselves lucky they didn’t win the flag that year.
Geelong: C’mon The Cats
This song is an absolute Barry Crocker. Literally. Used by Geelong during the 1980’s before going back to the classic Carmen Opera tune of “We Are Geelong”
Adelaide: Here We Go Camry Crows
When the Adelaide Crows were established in late 1990 and joined the AFL in 1991 getting a club song wasn’t high on the things to do list. Before “The Pride of South Australia” was the club song, they opted to pay tribute to their sponsor, the Toyota Camry with this little ditty known as “Here we go Camry Crows”. Featuring some of the greatest lyrics ever written such as “Ain’t no sauce for the Pies”, “Gonna tread on toes” and “Here we go, Here we go Camry Crows”. It was the clubs song from seasons 1991 – 1993 before the club went and got a proper song.
North Melbourne – The ‘Roos Are On The Ball
When North Melbourne referred to themselves as just “The Kangaroos” from 1999-2007 to appeal to a broader market they changed the song. “Join in the Chorus North Melbourne’s on the Ball” was dropped for “The Roos are on the ball”. Fans hated it. It was replaced back to the North Melbourne version within a couple of seasons.
Footscray: Sons of the ‘Scray
It broke many a Bulldog heart in 1997 when Footscray renamed themselves the “Western Bulldogs” with that their famous “Sons of the ‘Scray” was replaced with “Sons of the West”. Their 2016 Grand Final win would have healed most wounds, but the old ‘Scray supporters would still prefer if it were a Footscray flag at heart.
Essendon: See The Bombers Fly Up Power Ballad.
In the late 1990’s Essendon went with a more power ballad sounding version of “See the Bombers Fly Up”. It lasted one game and the club went back to the traditional Fable version a week later.
St.Kilda: Saints Fight Back Song
Back in the days when Plugger was kicking a bag of 10 every week, this was the Saints song. Featuring extra verses of “We’re loyal to our mates, ’cause we’re the Saints” and “I want to be there in Moorabbin” over St.Kilda.
Fitzroy: Come on Fitzroy
Legendary comedian Ugly Dave Gray released his own song as a tribute to the boys from old Fitzroy. It didn’t last long before the Roys went back to their La Marseillaise (French national anthem) tune which would be the clubs song up until 1996 when they merged with the Brisbane Bears, with Brisbane keeping the tune and adding new lyrics to incorporate the merged team.
West Coast Eagles: Original Theme Song
When the Eagles joined the comp in 1987, they opted for a more rock ‘n roll tune for the club. The original version of “We’re The Eagles” was structured like any rock song with verses, a bridge and a chorus. Part of the song included the infamous lyrics “So watch out, all you know alls, all you wise men, from the east…you’ll get more than just a footy game you’ll get a West Coast Eagles feast!” It was stirring stuff.
AFL Centenary Theme Song Medley
To celebrate the 1996 AFL Centenary season, they staged a ball on the field of the MCG which left the ground out of action for three weeks of that season. Part of the celebrations was a performance of all the club songs. Featuring an all-star cast there’s only one word to describe it – cringeworthy.