If the Swans folded

[CAS79]

I was to young to comprehend the move of 82 and living in Tassie it never impacted on me. It did on my dad however having grown up in Melbourne and when he moved the family to Melbourne in the early 90s it was the worst time to be a swans supporter. There was talk the club was going to fold and the AFL and Wilisee and so forth were going to end the push. Those of us around than know this question all to well. And the answer I got than was no one. The answer now would be A - League.

 

[Willy Marron]

Considering I originated from W. Syd, I guess the next team I'd follow them with interest. 'Tis a strange hypothetical, though, to think the AFL closed up the Swans shop and introduced or left WSyd playing.

I do love the code, so assuming they pulled out of Sydney altogether, I might pick the Hawks or the Blues.

Let's just say it's an uncomfortable, but improbable hypothetical.

 

[Lakeside Legacy]

Having followed the Swans through the good, the bad and the indifferent, over the years, I don't want to even think about having to face the prospect of not having a team to follow.

Richard Colless has done a fantastic job in not only keeping the club viable but has embraced the past, present and future direction of the club which was encaptulated in the 2005 Premiership Banner;

"Two Cities, One Team, Living The Dream"

Having gone to the "G" at the week-end and sitting through the Victoria v Dream Team game, I was totally non-enthused. A bit like dancing with your sister. If the Swans were to fold, I am sure I would feel the same.

I am certain I couldn't follow any other team with the same passion that I do when following the mighty Red & Whites are running around.

GO BLOODS !!!

 

[RnWtilIDie]

Stolen from a Bay 13 Thread.

(Hypothetically) If the Swans collapsed financially, or if they were kicked out of the AFL for some reason (cue 19th man and flooding jokes) would/could you pick another team to follow? If so who, and why? Do you think you'd develop the same passion for them as you have for the Swannies?

If I were living in Sydney at the time I suppose I'd follow the Western Sydney venture, if only because I could get to the games. If there was no W.Syd team, or if I wasn't living here, I might consider following St. Kilda or the Dogs. Always had a soft spot of them given how unsuccessful they've been over the years.

Carlton and Collingwood might also be worth considering given how much the traditional fan hate them (although we seem to be copping alot of hate in recent years as well). That'd be cool.

To be honest though I doubt I could ever muster the same kind of enthusiasm I have for the Swans. I've formed such a close attachment to them as a kid, it's hard to imagine that you could forge a similar link in adulthood - especially given the superficiality of 'choosing' a new team.

No...
Wh-wh-why would you even say such a thing?

I'm not listening, I'm not listening...

 

[.Shotties.]

There is no other team.

 

[ssfc0203]

There is no other team.

We could still feign interest in the game, but fact is, I'd lose all remaining respect for the AFL.

Relocation would be heartbreaking, as so many SM fans found out the hard way, but a total wipeout ?

*gag at thought*

 

[.Shotties.]

Im a fourth generation South supporter, my old man (played for South as did grandad), he flew down from Queensland with Mopsy Rantall the year they 'relocated' to be a head trainer, only to watch his beloved team 'relocate'! He has refused to watch a Swans game ever since, the move ripped his heart out, and also the heart from our once proud suburb, South Melbourne! You guys from Sydney, dont understand the pain, and for your sakes, I hope you never will! Anyway, Go Bloods!

My dad always bitches about it. I never really understand because He'd moved to Sydney before the Swans.

 

[4TH GEN SWAN]

We could still feign interest in the game, but fact is, I'd lose all remaining respect for the AFL.

Relocation would be heartbreaking, as so many SM fans found out the hard way, but a total wipeout ?

*gag at thought*

I wouldn't think relocting again would be an option. At the time it happened, I was to young to understand the full concept of relocating, but the 1 thing that I did love was that my team was on TV every 2nd week.

I would much prefer to go through what South went through, than to have what happened with Fitzroy. At least we kept our own identity, other than changing names from South Melbourne to Sydney. The colours are still the same, the logo is still the Swans, and we now have a recently acquired Premiers cup in the cupboard.

I remember being at an aftermatch function, back early 90's and there was talk of changing the colours, not long after Richard Colless had taken over, and when he got up to talk in front of the members, they gave him a terrible spray. I think then, that he understood the meaning to the Bloods spirit through the supporters. It took a while for the Melbourne crowd to warm to him again but alls well that ends well, and he's been outstanding for us every since.

So in short, I don't think I could follow someone else in the AFL so I would turn my attention to my other team, Port Melbourne. The good ol' day of VFA.

 

[BIGBEZ]

My dad always bitches about it. I never really understand because He'd moved to Sydney before the Swans.

Was he born and bred in South?

 

[.Shotties.]

Was he born and bred in South?

Born in Germany, raised in Melbourne and Brisbane's in there too, but 90% of his life or thereabouts was in Melbourne, yus.

 

[MF]

I remember being at an aftermatch function, back early 90's and there was talk of changing the colours, not long after Richard Colless had taken over, and when he got up to talk in front of the members, they gave him a terrible spray. I think then, that he understood the meaning to the Bloods spirit through the supporters. It took a while for the Melbourne crowd to warm to him again but alls well that ends well, and he's been outstanding for us every since.

I'd actually forgotten about that. It was probably the only stage I considered following another team.