Now, it’s not like anyone was expecting Sydney Swans fans to go so mental over making the AFL Grand Final that they ran out and painted their fences and pubs red & white. In some ways, the fact that they didn’t is completely understandable.
Unlike the Western Bulldogs, Swans fans have only had to wait 2 years since their last Grand Final appearance: 2014’s disastrous flogging at the hands of Hawthorn. And it’s only been four years since the Swans last hoisted the cup themselves, with the memory of the triumphant 2012 flag victory still fresh in the minds of the Bloods faithful.
Even further still, the Swans finished on top of the AFL ladder as the minor premiers. Save for a minor hiccup against the GWS Giants in their Qualifying Final, they’ve cruised through the finals thus far, summarily dispatching Geelong last week in their preliminary final. For all intents and purposes, they’re supposed to be in Grand Final.
So unlike
the DogsMania that has swept across Melbourne and caused several pubs to turn
red,
white, and
blue in celebration of Footscray’s first VFL/AFL Grand Final appearance in 55 years, the reaction from Sydney’s fans has been far more subdued. But while there’s no fence painting or tattooing and the like, do not for a second think that people in Sydney and beyond aren’t
jazzed AF on the thought of a sixth Swans premiership.
The Bulldogs might have a Hemsworth, but the Swans have a (significantly less-jacked) Luke Jacobz.
And if that alone weren’t enough of a reminder that Summer Bay is firmly in Swans territory, then cop a little bonus Irene for good measure.
Just because they’re not painting their fences or their pubs or their vans and whatnot, doesn’t mean that the Swannies contingent haven’t been painting at all.
One fan celebrated the Grand Final berth with this meticulously crafted set of nail art…
…while another went full William Wallace for the Perth Kilt Run which is, uh, apparently a thing.
But by and large, Swans fans have been showing their support through the utter majesty of putting footy merch on dogs. Which is, frankly, the reason why you’re reading this.
I mean, I would crack wise at the irony of their opponent being the Dogs, but why bother when POOCHIES!
Either way, the Grand Final’s gonna be a bloody good day for Dogs, I can tell you that.
‘Course there’s also this mightily ominous omen…
…but luckily there’s no such thing as a self-fulfilling prophecy, right?
Right??
*whimpers*
Photo: Scout Reddog/Instagram.
