Sydney set to honour its South Melbourne heritage by wearing ‘Bloods’ guernsey against Richmond
The Swans are showing their continued connection to their South Melbourne roots. And another honour had triple Brownlow medallist Bob Skilton smiling from ear to ear.
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It’s the Hall of Fame elevation with a twist, but it has South Melbourne's triple Brownlow medallist Bob Skilton smiling from ear to ear.
The Sydney Swans last night paid homage to their roots by inducting the birthplace of the club (the Temperance Hall in South Melbourne), the year in which the club was formed (1874) and one of its founding fathers (John Parry) into the club's Hall of Fame.
Skilton said it was further proof the club that packed its bags for Sydney in 1981 still had such an important part of its DNA forever in South Melbourne.
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The 81-year-old, who won Brownlows in 1959, '63 and '68, joined current Swans co-captains Josh Kennedy and Luke Parker recently in returning to the Temperance Hall, where the club was founded 146 years ago.
"The relationship (between Sydney and South Melbourne) looked like falling over at one stage, but it's a credit to so many people that they not only saved the club, but also kept the link to the past," Skilton said.
"I'd like to think that I had a reasonable say in (the relationship) not falling over.
"There are a lot of people in Melbourne who love the Swans. It took some time to get it right, but we are so grateful to have this connection.
"It has rubbed off on Sydney, not just the players, but also with the fans. It's just getting better and better."
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The Temperance Hall, in Napier Street, was the scene of the first meeting of the South Melbourne Football Club in 1874. Originally built by the Emerald Hill Temperance Society, it was part of a worldwide movement to promote abstinence of alcohol.
That would have suited Skilton for a time as he never touched a drop alcohol until he was 24 years of age, by which time he had won two of his three Brownlows.
Kennedy said visiting the birthplace of the Swans was "an incredibly surreal experience."
"This is where it all started, with people sitting around a table discussing the birth of a football club," Kennedy said. "It's a good reminder of the club we play for and what we are here to represent.
“I am in my 14th season and it feels like it has been a long career. But in the scheme of things, that's quite insignificant. All we can do is try to make an impact in the time we are here."
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The Swans announced at their guernsey presentation and Hall of Fame function last night that the team will wear a South Melbourne-inspired heritage jumper in the Round 11 clash with Richmond at the MCG.
Parker loves the connection between the Swans and the 'Bloods', which was solidified further when Sydney won its drought-breaking 2005 flag.
"It's something we try to teach our first-year player in our induction night, where our club came from and where it all started, and to learn about legends like Bobby Skilton,” Parker.
"We know how important it is to recognise where we came from. To connect with the South Melbourne people, and our fans are a big part of it when we are down in Melbourne.
"They are such a big part of our supporter base and we love playing down here."
Skilton has endured a few health issues in recent years, but tries to get to as many Swans games in Melbourne as he can.
“I’m going all right,” he said. “I go to rehab at the hospital and there are kids in their 20s who are never going to walk again, so I’ve got nothing to complain about.
“I’ve had a few tough tears, but compared to those kids, I’m on clover.”
Kennedy says the current Swans cannot help but be inspired by Skilton’s presence.
“The amount of respect we have for Bobby, what he has been through, and the pride he displays in our football club is contagious.”
Originally published as Sydney set to honour its South Melbourne heritage by wearing ‘Bloods’ guernsey against Richmond
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