Even outside the AFL, the Swans have established themselves as an iconic sporting club - due to the magnificent team-first culture and great success over the last 10 years - fighting to establish itself in the most hostile, competitive sporting city in Australia. We are an Australian icon.
The swans have dragged the VFL away from remaining a backwater game for Victorians only - and made footy a true Australian game.
While Victorian clubs have made the news for dwarf lighting, tanking, hanging out with crims, drug cheating etc, the Swans have become famous for their culture, professional management and strong success in the last 10 years.
To attribute this success to COLA is typical of those pathetic envious fading clubs going backwards due to atrocious management despite all the advantages of being big clubs in an AFL-dominated city. That attitude is a national embarrassment, completely un-Australian.