Sydney’s red and white army out in force
It was raining, it was pouring and the Brisbane Lions were scoring. That was the tale of the tape in Sydney yesterday as thousands of Swans fans descended on live sites across the Harbour City to see their team lose big in the AFL Grand Final.
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It was raining, it was pouring and the Brisbane Lions were scoring.
That was the tale of the tape in Sydney yesterday as thousands of Swans fans descended on live sites across the Harbour City to see their team lose big in the AFL Grand Final.
Despite the historic drubbing, nothing dampened the spirits of the Swans faithful, with huge viewing parties in Surry Hills and Moore Park thriving all through the one sided 'Big Dance’ at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Sydney transformed into a sea of red and white, with ‘Bloods’ supporters out in full force. Live sites, pubs and street parades were packed to the brim on Saturday afternoon, even before the first bounce of the ball, as crowds sung along to hits from American pop superstar Katy Perry, who netted a cool $5 million for her performance.
The ‘Teenage Dream’ singer entered the MCG on what was described as a oversized handheld vacuum cleaner, singing alongside an always electric Tina Arena.
The Clock hotel in Sydney’s Surry Hills, was bursting with Swans supporters watching the Lions trounce the Swans by 120 points to 60, with the line to get a bee stretching along Crown St and onto the backstreets.
Swans fan Ella Willey said the live site was the next best thing to being in Melbourne.
”We tried to get tickets, so when we couldn’t we looked around and saw the big screen, and thought we’d come here,” Ms Willey said.
US-based lifelong Swans fans Zoltina-J Medwik-Daley and Jordan Smith travelled half way across the globe just to be there for the grand final.
“We’ve been to pubs and clubs around and coming here to see this many Swans fans drenched in red and white,” she said.
A laundry list of A-listers, social media sensations and even Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton travelled south to AFL heartland for the match.
Singer Tones and I; TV personality Deborah Hutton and boyfriend Andrew Marsh were all at the Grand Final, as well as Richard Wilkins and his new girlfriend make-up artist Mia Hawkswell.
As the final siren sounded, there were a small contingent of Lions fans cheering at the SCG live site in Moore Park.
However most heartbroken Swans fans couldn’t bare it anymore, leaving straight away.
Wearing the sleeveless Swans jersey, braving the rain at the SCG live site, Christoper Green said even though his team lost , the support on the day and atmosphere has been great.
The day starts off beautifully but ends like this, it’s a bit bittersweet,” Mr Green said.
Earlier in the day, Swans fan Ella Willey said the live site was the next best thing to being in Melbourne.
”We tried to get tickets, so when we couldn’t we looked around and saw the big screen, and thought we’d come here,” Ms Willey said.
Ms Willey said it’s great to see the Swans get so much support in a predominantly rugby league city.
“It’s great, it’s so good to see the whole town get right behind them. It’s such a big thing now.“
Sydney fan Brian Peakall said it’s almost as good as being at rhe MCG for the game.
“This is the next best thing.”
Mr Peakall who was at the last two Swans grand finals, hopes they can get a better result so he can cheer on with other Bloods fans.
“I’m disappointed not to be there but you just want to go to the live site and not be sitting in front of the TV, you just want to be out with other Swans fans.”
”It’s all red and white.“
US-based lifelong Swans fans Zoltina-J Medwik-Daley and Jordan Smith have travelled half way across the world just to be here for the grand final.
Ms Medwik- Daley who was showing off her Swans tattoos, is so amazed to see the turnout of support for the Swans.
“I couldn’t be more proud, Ms Medwik-Daley said.
The pair have been living it up in Sydney for the day and are having the time of their lives.
“We’ve been to pubs and clubs around and coming here to see this many Swans fans drenched in red and white”
“Sydney is red and white baby,” Mr Smith said.
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Originally published as Sydney’s red and white army out in force
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