Today I went to the swans final vs Carlton and thankfully we won, it looked like we were sweet at half time but in the 3rd quarter we failed to even score a goal, possibly the most nerve-wrecking game I have seen.
I have decided to take this opportunity to talk about my favourite swans players (current-as otherwise I would be here all night).
Ryan O'Keefe
| Number | 5 | |
| Height | 188cm | |
| Weight | 87kg | |
| DOB | 24-01-1981 | |
| Debut | 2000 | |
I love him because at aged 13 when I didn't care a whole lot about AFL I went along to mum's guernsey presentation for the NSW team, Ryan O'Keefe was there with Jared Crouch to present them, I believe when I walked through the door my jaw dropped to the ground, and once again later on when a friend and I took a picture with him and I got to 'cop a feel' so to speak and I certainly haven't looked back :) He is a remarkable player that stands out in every match if not for his playing for his lovely face!
Jude Bolton
| Number | 24 | |
| Height | 182cm | |
| Weight | 86kg | |
| DOB | 15-03-1980 | |
| Debut | 1999 | |
Jude Bolton was one of the first swans I had my eye on, I will always remember the 2005 season when a bunch of the boys all got the 'surfer look' hair-do you know what I mean, the bleached blonde longer hair that flicks in the wind in just the right way, I like to think that Jude Bolton started this from his previous seasons. I also love the fact that in his own time Jude and previous swannie Amon Buchanan (sniff, he was rad) created their own tee-shirt line, you can find it here: http://jonpumper.com
Trent Dennis-Lane
| Number | 8 | |
| Height | 180cm | |
| Weight | 73kg | |
| DOB | 30-08-1988 | |
| Debut | ||
Okay so this guy, he is amazing, at the beginning of this year I was lucky enough to work with the swans on fan day and they arranged for all their rookies to go and help us out, I had the pleasure of meeting and having a chat with a few of them, Trent being one of them and it was so refreshing to meet these guys who knew what was coming in terms of 'celeb status' (in the swans world) and finding out their thoughts on it all, Trent was just so cool and calm and I was stoked I got the chat. But then watching the match today he was f**king ripping it up, being the top goal scorer (4 goals) and pulling off some stuff you generally don't see from rookies, of course I went and got myself his badge to add to my collection and I cant wait to see him play next week!
Lewis Jetta
| Number | 32 | |
| Height | 181cm | |
| Weight | 68kg | |
| DOB | 04-05-1989 | |
| Debut | 2010 | |
Okay so if you have seen this kid play you will know how quick he is, he just gets the ball and then BAM its in your 50 then another BAM and he running back to defense, freakin insane player to watch and its really hard to believe he is a rookie.
Adam Goodes
| Number | 37 | |
| Height | 193cm | |
| Weight | 99kg | |
| DOB | 08-01-1980 | |
| Debut | 1999 | |
This guy is a tank, watch him in any game and you will see him beat anyone to that unreachable mark or that impossible goal, I love the fact that he is a really humble guy and he inspires people to the shithouse with the way he plays football. He has won the brownlow and won a premiership you don't really need much more proof as to how good of a footballer he is.
Kieren Jack
| Number | 15 | |
| Height | 177cm | |
| Weight | 81kg | |
| DOB | 28-06-1987 | |
| Debut | 2007 | |
WOW, okay so Kieren Jack is quickly becoming a top 3 favourite of mine, not only is he a fantastic player like actually incredible, but have you seen his face? He was tagging Chris Judd in today's match and in the 3rd quarter Judd had to be moved to FF as he wasn't able to do anything when Jack was on him. Another thing I love is that due to his rugby league background he almost missed out on his chance to play AFL, the funny thing is that if in fact he did miss out he would probably be playing for Wests Tigers now (YAY) due to his father being a Legend for Balmain! I know its been 1 picture per player so far but...haha don't hate me I couldn't pick 1!
Tadhg Kennelly
| Number | 17 | |
| Height | 189cm | |
| Weight | 90kg | |
| DOB | 01-07-1981 | |
| Debut | 2001 | |
So I actually love Tadhg, in 2006 I think it was, possibly 2005 he came out to the GAA finals to watch the year that Cusacks (mums team) won the ladies football & camogie. Afterward mum saw the pictures I was taking of the game namely one of 'the sideline' aka the back of Tadhg :) I still have this picture on my wall. He is just such a nice dude to talk to, I've been lucky enough to meet him a few times and every time I do I walk away going WOW! He has his own dream story completed, after winning the AFL premiership in 2005 he fulfilled a lifelong wish and went home to Ireland before the 2009 season to secure a win for his county Kerry. Now back playing for the swans i'm left quietly hoping he doesn't return to Ireland anytime soon. Oh totally forgot to mention, earlier on this year when I was working for the swans I got to see him in a towel, YES A TOWEL and he stopped to talk to mum.......yup, life can be great right?
Brett 'Kirky' Kirk
| Number | 31 | |
| Height | 183cm | |
| Weight | 80kg | |
| DOB | 25-10-1976 | |
| Debut | 1999 | |
I love him because he is an awesome player, take todays game, he held his opponent to 2 disposals against his 22 in the first quarter, pretty freakin sweet! I am absolutely devastated that he is retiring this year, swans wont be the same without him! Oh and how much does he remind you of The Beatles?
I was attempting to find a funny story for each person, but only found a funny video for Brett Kirk, so check it out!
Paul Roos, what a loss it is going to be at the end of this year, I actually don't know the swans without him and can't imagine it. Roos began coaching the Swans in 2002, officially in 2003 and has taken them to the finals every single time since 2003 bar one year, winning the premiership and making it to the grand final in consecutive years, can you find a better coach? The fact that he played with them and then coached them is so awesome!
This picture has no relevance other than the fact that here are 2 of the main people that make the swans who they are singing at the top of their lungs the song after their last game ever in Sydney and they are now on their way into the second week of the finals, plenty to cheer about, oh and don't mind Tadhg haha he helps the picture with his pretty face :)
Okay and I know I'm not supposed to be talking about retired players but I can't write this post without mentioning Jared Crouch, the reason I wear 28 on my back and a key reason into me actually playing AFL.
In 2002 the Womens State Games were held in Sydney and organised was a girls clinic and so I grabbed 4 of my friends and off we went to the clinic, Jared Crouch and another player I fail to remember (woops) taught us how to handpass correctly and how to kick the ball. 7 years later and several meetings with Jared Crouch (because hes such a rad guy that he goes along to loads of meet & greets and guernsey presentations) the Bondi Shamrocks had their guernsey presentation for their inaugural year and we were lucky enough to have the one and only Jared Crouch & Kristin Thornton present them, as they went through the numbers they got to 28 it wasn't taken, after a chat to mum on the way home we decided that instead of me being the runner for the squad I would be able to wear number 28, it seemed fate that I pretty much only played last year because his number was free, I wouldn't take just any number! Jared Crouch was such an amazing player in his many many years playing for the swans, he holds the record for most consecutive games in the AFL from debut (194) it was a massive loss last year when he retired, possibly impossible to replace!
I absolutely love the Sydney Swans, there isn't a better team out there and I can't wait til next weekend when hopefully we further the journey to the Grand Final once more!
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