Looking for a team to support on Saturday?
Geelong doesn’t really do it for you?
I get ya.
Here are some reasons why you should cheer, cheer the red and the white in the 2022 AFL Grand Final.
Because they are a bloody good team
Since their loss to Essendon back in Round 16, the Swans have been unstoppable.
Sydney went on to win their next seven to finish in third, blitzed reigning premiers Melbourne in week 1 and beat the Pies in a thriller to make it to that one day in September.
It’s obvious that Sydney isn’t a club that does rebuilds, more a lick of paint or a renovation to just a kitchen or bathroom.
Unlike anyone going through a re-build or renovations in the real world, The Swans appear way ahead of time – going from 15th just three seasons ago, 16th in 2020, 6th in 2021 (with a heartbreaking loss to the Giants in Launceston) to top four this year and the chance to win their first flag in a decade.
We’ve seen some epic moments this year courtesy of the Sydney Swans – be it Buddy’s 1000th goal when they last played Geelong back in Round 2, their epic comeback over the Tigers in Round 11 and when they made a statement to the footy world they meant business over Melbourne in week 1 – last week was pretty bloody good as well.
Because of the “Bloods Culture“
When you think of football club culture- the Bloods culture is still the market leader.
The talk of the “Bloods” Culture tends to go back around the Paul Roos era of the club – but is really inspired by the old South Melbourne days of Bob Pratt/Roy Cazaly from the late 1920’s/early 1930’s
This tweet from Swans legend Jude Bolton of a Paul Roos memo from back in 2004 is a wonderful insight into what “Bloods Culture” is all about.
Because of Geelong fatigue
Since 2007, Geelong has made the finals every single season bar one.
We get it.
They are an amazing team.
But this is Australia and cutting down tall poppies is in our DNA.
The Swans are also frequent flyers in the finals but they at least took some long service leave and have resumed normal programming.
We’ve had to put up with Chris Scott and Cats fans whinging about playing at the MCG or the players being apparently all sick on the weekend of a Preliminary Final.
Geelong excuses are now as part of September as the Grand Final parade.
Here’s hoping they are working on a few more come 5 o’clock on Saturday.
Because I see it, but I don’t believe it.
There’s a probably some Cats fans hate-reading this, so here’s Nick Davis in the 2005 Semi Final
Because they prevented Collingwood from getting into the Grand Final
It might have been one point but the Swans did us a solid here.
This week would have been unbearable if the Pies were in the big one.
Supporters of 15 other clubs (bar the Swans’ own fans, Geelong and the Collingwood faithful) should be thankful for what Sydney has done.
Because of Buddy
The man kicks his 1000th career goal against Geelong in Round 2 and then wins a premiership for the Swans…against the same team in the same year.
What’s better is that we are getting one more year of one of the legends of the game.
We’ll tell our grandchildren we saw this man play and boy have we been privileged to have done so.
Because of Paddy McCartin
After all the issues with concussion and questions if the former St Kilda number 1 draft pick will ever play again, the Swans giving Paddy McCartin a second chance in backline, and the chance to play with his brother Tom has been one of the recruiting masterstrokes.
What a redemption story if he were to go on and win a flag playing with his brother at a club who gave him another shot.
Because Kenny
The Sight of legendary Swans fan Kenny Williams sitting behind the SCG goals and leading the Swans to another rendition of “Cheer Cheer, the Red and the White” is one of the best things in footy.
Now 93 years young, Kenny was featured on Channel 9 news during the week and you’ve just gotta love his passion for the club.
Because Brett Kirk
Thanks Basil.
I just want to give you a bit of an insight into the Saturday afternoon team. We’re a bunch of unique individuals – Malthouse, Harley, Zempilas, McLachlan and myself. We’re gonna engage with our minds and our hearts.
We’re gonna exchange ideas, thoughts and even our energy. And to speak from your heart you need to have courage.
You need to be honest and authentic. We’re not always gonna get it right. And sometimes, you’re not going to agree with us. But that’s okay, because just like you we care.
Just like you, we’re passionate about the game. So if you want to come along for the ride, join us on Saturday arvos, because we just love the footy.
Because Warwick Capper
More people dress up as Warwick Capper to any Grand Final day party than any footballer in history.
Sure, someone might try to don the Joel Selwood head bandage but nothing compares to CAAAAAAAPPPPPPPPPEEEEERRRRRRRR
For all his antics, he was a bloody good footballer in his day.
Because of the rockin’ banjo solo
All AFL club songs are unique and special to everyone, but nothing compares to the banjo solo in Cheer, Cheer the Red and the White