Thank you from an Eagles fan

[W84]

My respect for the Swans and their supporters is immense.

After the game, I was in a pub that was crammed with Eagles and Swans supporters. The Swans supporters were shattered and had looks of disappointment on their faces, yet they had the dignity to remain at the pub and act gracefully. They even shared in singing ballads with us. I shook a lot of their hands, and they were only too welcoming to share in pleasent conversations. Bitterness was lost within every single one of them.

One Swans bloke even gave me a Weg poster to take home.

My respect towards the Swans as a club, team and supporter base has grown so much over the last couple of years, and it grows with every meeting between us and you guys.

You guys are awesome.

Like I said to many of the Swans supporters yesterday and last night, "We'll see you next season".

Much respect, and comiserations on the loss.

/W84

[Mike_B]

It's only ever a small minority of supporters who give their team's supporters a bad name as a whole.

In talking to a lot of Eagles fans outside the ground, at Crown etc we all seemed to agree that it was a great game, and 1-1 over the last 2 years was a fair result. There was definitely a level of mutual respect and understanding of what each other were going through with experiences of last year to draw on.

[desredandwhite]

YEah, every team has a small number of idiot supporters (including us, I will admit!!) that spoil it for everyone. And if you are unlucky enough to encounter the boorish behaviour, then that can sometime colour your perception of all fans of that club.

All I know is, after the game, through the night, and even this morning/afternoon, I shook a hell of a lot of eagles' hands (wings?) and offered my congratulations. Without exceptions, they were all gracious winners, and commented on the excellent fightback of the Swans.

Probably helped that I stayed away from the pubs and bars last night where alcohol may have made for some loutish behaviour ;)

[ben.carbonaro]

Originally posted by Mike_B
It's only ever a small minority of supporters who give their team's supporters a bad name as a whole.

In talking to a lot of Eagles fans outside the ground, at Crown etc we all seemed to agree that it was a great game, and 1-1 over the last 2 years was a fair result. There was definitely a level of mutual respect and understanding of what each other were going through with experiences of last year to draw on.

I definately agree with that comment, although there are some clubs who have more negative and feral supporters than positive ones.

Apologies for not posting at all during the season on here, had another big season of VFL footy working with Werribee and increasing media work meant less time on forums for me.

[satchmopugdog]

W84.. I wish you had been sitting behind me instead of the guttermouth Weagles supporter(20 year) I had.

The best thing is it made me realise what a good job I have done bringing my kids up.

[ben.carbonaro]

What happened?

Just foul language all day and that sort of thing was it?

[satchmopugdog]

I won't go on about it any more. It has helped unloading on here so I'll just move on now........(as if).....

[Casey36]

Its true that only certain supporters put a bad name on there team by the way they carry on sometimes and its a shame, so we have to remember not to always judge teams based on those people.

Except if your Carlton or Collingwood.. there all scum of the earth so judge em as much as you want!!:D

[ben.carbonaro]

That's right, althouigh I would Collingwood supporters are more feral than Carlton ones.

[Damien]

Thanks W84 - was really good for me to see this thread.

I had to put up with some pretty heavy and agressive heckling last night and this morning, and I really wasn't up for it. It was liked being yelled at after a funeral (I know that is a bit dramatic, but was my feeling at the time) The minority have short memories me thinks!

[Sico 17]

I have to agree with W84 that the Sydney fans were great. I sat next to the Swans Cheer Squad section and I thought you guys were brilliant during the game and for staying during the presentations (i know how hard it was to stay last year).

It is great that not only the players from each team have respect for each other but so do most of the fans.

It has been a fantastic rivalry over the past 2 years and now it is 1 all. Hope to see you next year at the MCG for the decider!

[swan_song]

Definitely a mixed bag from Eagles fans...good rapport , pats of the back and hugs and congratulations on our amazing 2nd half fight-back from the Eagles supporters around where some of the family were sitting...but vile, abuse from those around where the rest of the family were seated...and rude gestures, swearing and spitting at the car (with its red and white ribbons) from a pair of (drunk???) eagles yobbs as we drove out of the ground...
I can't recall seeing any abusiveness last year directed to Eagles supporters from Swannies, but as Swans we were so euphoric at the victory that geering Eagles fans never crossed our minds...I would have hoped the same would be true in reverse...

[Casey36]

Yeah, there are great supporters out there and then there's some idiot ones like for example an Eagles supporter after the match who thought it was alright to smile and wave at me and let us know how much Swans are losers. Then tried giving us his 'Go Eagles' sign, well i coulda ripped it in half and threw it at him.. but i wasn't thinking fast enough lol !!
Argh.. !!

[swansrock4eva]

I thought they were generally a lot better this year than last - before the match I came across many and we'd have a joke and be able to wish each other well etc. There were a couple of morons but they were the vast vast minority. Then on Saturday they were jubilant of course (but so were we last year), but again the vast majority were very gracious in their victory - wishing each other well next year, complimenting each other's teams for such an amazing recent history etc etc. I found myself genuinely happy on Saturday night being able to congratulate them (to a point of course!). I'm still upset that we lost but the shoe is on the other foot for both teams now - we know what it's like to lose by such a tiny margin and what it's like to win by a tiny margin.

[mocaholic]

There are idiots everywhere.

Most Eagles fans were as magnanimous as I believe we were last year, to both clubs enormous credit. 1 - 1 is a fair representation of the closeness of our teams. This is reflected also in the way the players have obvious - and huge - respect for each other.

















Would prefer 2-0 however. Gotta say it.

[Danzar]

Originally posted by mocaholic
Would prefer 2-0 however. Gotta say it.
Yup. But dare to dream.....2-1 would be brilliant. We'll see next year.

[madcow]

w84 I'm pleased you had such a positive time of it with swans supporters and I must say I think most of the wc fans I spoke to were reasonably friendly although witness a few instances fo extremely arrogant,aggressive and just rude behavoir from some starting at the game with the 2 yobbos above m29 to the moronic group baiting the 2 older swans fans at the tramstop outside the hilton or the 2o y/o on the train home drunk and really sticking it up the young swans family heading home. in fact "now you know what it feels like " would be the most commonly used phrase I heard all night from eagles fans.As I told them I'm an old south fan we know what defeat feels like!! as newer Sydney fans do to. Do you think its because of your rivaly with the dockers that many wc fans feel the need to taunt in victory?

[LittleSchneider]

I was unfortunate in meeting a lot of horrible Eagles fans who wanted nothing more than to rub it in our face and stomp all over us with some disgusting gestures and dances along the way at both Crown and on the street.

If we ever win a premiership again - I hereby promise to never ever act like that towards an opposition supporter (not that I ever have mind you). God you'd think they would know how it feels to lose!

[BAM_BAM]

I came across both types on Saturday night.

Back at the pub all was ok we mixed as we had before the game although we were a little more subdued.

Running down to catch my plane (nearly missed it due to lack of taxi's) I crossed paths with a lady and I gave her a small smile in way of congratulation. She looked me right in the eye gave me a nod and the same sort of smile I had offered as acknowledgement. It is probably one of the highlights of the evening.

We then boarded the flight to find we were surrounded by WC supporters who immediately started slagging us. One those declared himself to be a Dockers supporter who had changed allegiances for the weekend (shame on you Mr!!).

I guess most remembered last year and knew what we going through. The others perhaps are just social rejects who do not know to hold their heads with dignity. It's one thing to be gracious in defeat but for someone to do as a victor shows what they're truly made of.

Well done w84 you seem to be made of good stuff.

[madcow]

Thats the same path i was walking little schneids and I say every second flock/murder/parliment =what is the collective noun for a group of eagles? were distinctly feral

[W84]

Originally posted by benny_w
We encountered a rather feral bogan Eagles supporter snooping around down in South Melbourne where we were at Patonys so Johnny mac (lescygnes) and I told him in no uncertain terms to @@@@ off out of our territory.

He threatened violence against JM but then walked off.

Did you feel tough that you told an Eagles' supporter to get out of your supposed turf, or as you stated- your "territory"?

I just happen to have a friend from Perth who supports the Eagles and has been living in South Melbourne for a while now.

There were plenty of Eagles' supporters in Melbourne, including South Melbourne, but it sounds as if you couldn't accept that with your immature behaviour.

South Melbourne isn't your territory.

You sound like a thug.

[AussieAnge]

Originally posted by W84
Did you feel tough that you told an Eagles' supporter to get out of your supposed turf, or as you stated- your "territory"?

I just happen to have a friend from Perth who supports the Eagles and has been living in South Melbourne for a while now.

There were plenty of Eagles' supporters in Melbourne, including South Melbourne, but it sounds as if you couldn't accept that with your immature behaviour.

South Melbourne isn't your territory.

You sound like a thug.

It's possible he was bothered by the feralness (new word) of the WCE fan. Our group breakfasted in South Melbourne on the morning of the GF and no-one batted an eyelid when 3 WCE fans walked in to a predominantly R&W venue. Perhaps the difference was that they were there for breakfast and not to cause trouble.
As has been said before sometimes it is the minority that ruin it for the rest.

[desredandwhite]

Originally posted by benny_w
We encountered a rather feral bogan Eagles supporter snooping around down in South Melbourne where we were at Patonys so Johnny mac (lescygnes) and I told him in no uncertain terms to @@@@ off out of our territory.

He threatened violence against JM but then walked off.

S'not often I have a go at one of our own... But Ben, was he having a go at us, or just walking through? If just walking through, I would have been inclined to just let him go - I was too busy concentrating on my pizza to notice.

Ferchristsake Benny, you live in Penrith - whereis.com.au tells me that's over 850km from South Melbourne!!! ;) ;)

Just kidding mate - just wanted to make the point that if he wasn't hassling us, he was well within his rights to walk through. Brave, but well within his rights. Sad day when I can't even splurge on a stupidly expensive flight to go over to Perth next year to parade around in my Swans gear when WE win ;)

[benny_w]

Originally posted by W84
Did you feel tough that you told an Eagles' supporter to get out of your supposed turf, or as you stated- your "territory"?

I just happen to have a friend from Perth who supports the Eagles and has been living in South Melbourne for a while now.

There were plenty of Eagles' supporters in Melbourne, including South Melbourne, but it sounds as if you couldn't accept that with your immature behaviour.

South Melbourne isn't your territory.

You sound like a thug.


Hey W84.
Sorry for that post
I'm not a thug just getting stuff off my chest.
Very upset and downcast after losing the GF and I say things that I don't mean


Benny_w

Good luck next year

[W84]

No problem.

[coasters74]

I must add my two bob worth, thought the Sydney fans were very gracious in defeat. What really impressed me was the large number of red and white clad supporters who stayed to watch the players all get their medallions and the cup presented, then applauded their boys off.
Was a huge game and worthy of the two best sides in the comp.
I must admit to probably being a bit obnoxious on Saturday evening to some Sydney fans - did not try to be rude or aggressive, but found it very hard to hide my joy and excitment.
I guess there were plenty of people just on a real high after the game who maybe got too vocal.
But what is a great rivalry without being able to hate at least some of the opposing team/supporters.
Bring on 2007

[Thunder Shaker]

Originally posted by coasters74
Bring on 2007
Amen to that!

[WASwansFanatic]

Hmmmm I have three views on Eagles supporters...
One: Excellent over there.. Much respect from them and towards them. Pats on backs, shakes of hands etc etc
Two: Tosser in Young and Jackson day after game....with the Oh what a team....posters changed to Oh what a Shame and he thought he was the funniest bloke on earth. That is the WRONG way to celebrate victory by putting down opposition. Total Toss
Three: Ferals you endure over here when going to a game. Seems to me Eagles supporters feel safety in numbers and thats when the arse holes come out and fire up

But for the most part....Thank you to ALLL the ones from the first view....they were the majority and everyone on the charter flight coming home was most humble in victory it was great.


Cant wait for 07 and round 1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[W84]

Originally posted by WASwansFanatic
Tosser in Young and Jackson...

That's where I was, but I assure you that I wasn't that tosser.

It's where I met a lot of great Sydney supporters.

That place rocked, especially with the cover band. It was so much fun to sing along with all the classics that they were playing.

One song that stuck out was Dragon's Rain .

In the grand final of 2005, the thunder was shaken from the sky, and it was raining for so long, but on that day it all cleared up, and we avenged our grand final loss ;)

I love this rivalry, and I can't wait 'til we meet again in round one.

Bring on 007!

[schneidermania]

We had a tough time.. we were always gracious in defeat congratulating every WC fan we saw. I guess you remember the bad ones.. but I found a number and not just one offs a number to be very very arrogant..

I can provide the specific examples but I don;t want to dwell on it.

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

Originally posted by Mike_B
It's only ever a small minority of supporters who give their team's supporters a bad name as a whole.

In talking to a lot of Eagles fans outside the ground, at Crown etc we all seemed to agree that it was a great game, and 1-1 over the last 2 years was a fair result. There was definitely a level of mutual respect and understanding of what each other were going through with experiences of last year to draw on.

The thing I learnt after the last few days was how it must have felt for West Coast fans after the match last season. I had no idea that losing a GF would be THAT painful, that depressing, that disheartening. Despite often laughing away and appearing Ok on the outside, I am still hopelessly depressed. I can now only really understand what the Eagles fans were feeling in 2005.

The great majority of Eagles fans were actually OK after the Grand Final. Some of them were really loud and boisterous at Young & Jacksons & the Casino in the days after the match. You'd hear them singing or yelling and kind of cower away. It was really really hard to have to be anywhere near that to be honest; my first reaction when I heard lots of Eagles supporters yelling was to put my head down and get out of the area. I kept on asking myself whether we were this loud and unavoidable in 2005.

I'm determined to be NOT start crap up now about West Coast after having lost the GF. I'm gutted, am down, but do NOT want to be seen as a poor loser.

I think alot of the WCE supporters are starting to realise how awesome our rivalry is becoming. I even got friendly nods of respect from several of them in town the next day as I returned from the presentation at South Melbourne.

I think Mike Sheehan summed things up the best in his article in the Hun. He said that when the Eagles play the Swans, it is not a matter of who played better & deserved to win. It is just a matter of who happened to be in front on the scoreboard when the siren went.

JF

[Wardy]

Whilst there were a heap of feral WC fans about, there were a few Swan ferals too. - The hotel I stayed at the guys in the room next door (all west coast supporters) helped me down to the hotel reception with my loads of luggage (that had to be removed from my car after the accident the night before) they commiserated with me but insisted on helping me in my hour of need - which was great. We had a chat about the game, and we all agreed that it could have gone either way and none of us would have missed it. They redeemed my faith in opposition football team supporters.

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

Originally posted by benny_w
Hey W84.
Sorry for that post
I'm not a thug just getting stuff off my chest.
Very upset and downcast after losing the GF and I say things that I don't mean


Benny_w


LesCygnes went a tad overboard in trying to snot that bloke. Especially because he is as thin as a broomstick and would be needing people like ME to have to bail him out if he did get into a fracas.

The Eagles supporter was actually just eating his pizza. Then LesCygnes chased him, looking for it.

People like Cher were worried that we were getting a tad too feral. In a way it was a relief that Ando had his turn again. Because we became more worried about his welfare as opposed to drinking lots and goading unsuspective Eagles fans.

All a tad embarrassing when you look back, to be honest.

JF :o :rolleyes:

[Captain]

Originally posted by JF_Bay22_SCG
In a way it was a relief that Ando had his turn again. Because we became more worried about his welfare as opposed to drinking lots and goading unsuspective Eagles fans.


What's wrong with him???

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

Originally posted by Captain
What's wrong with him???

Not for me to say mate.

JF

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by JF_Bay22_SCG
LesCygnes went a tad overboard in trying to snot that bloke. Especially because he is as thin as a broomstick and would be needing people like ME to have to bail him out if he did get into a fracas.Oh do tell...


The Eagles supporter was actually just eating his pizza. Then LesCygnes chased him, looking for it. Stupid ferals...


People like Cher were worried that we were getting a tad too feral. She was right!


In a way it was a relief that Ando had his turn again. I'm sure Robbie will thank you for that comment...


Because we became more worried about his welfare as opposed to drinking lots and goading unsuspective Eagles fans.

All a tad embarrassing when you look back, to be honest. Honestly, do ya think...!!!

[swansrock4eva]

Originally posted by Captain
What's wrong with him???

It's all good Captain, he's fine now. It was just a bit of a big day. I vaguely remember a similar big day last year myself ;)

[Captain]

Originally posted by swansrock4eva
It's all good Captain, he's fine now. It was just a bit of a big day. I vaguely remember a similar big day last year myself ;)

I too took a turn. It started when the siren went and I haven't been able to smile since.;)

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

Originally posted by swansrock4eva
It's all good Captain, he's fine now. It was just a bit of a big day. I vaguely remember a similar big day last year myself ;)

I had a big Grand Final Eve this time around. I swear I will NEVER EVER drink Ouzo ever ever again! :eek:

JF :o

[Ruda Wakening]

Originally posted by Captain
What's wrong with him???

Plenty.

[Sanecow]

Originally posted by Ruda Wakening
Plenty.

Post of the offseason.

[Mr Q]

Originally posted by JF_Bay22_SCG
The thing I learnt after the last few days was how it must have felt for West Coast fans after the match last season. I had no idea that losing a GF would be THAT painful, that depressing, that disheartening. Despite often laughing away and appearing Ok on the outside, I am still hopelessly depressed. I can now only really understand what the Eagles fans were feeling in 2005.
I reckon you need to lose a close one to really know what it's like - at least you guys could remember what it was like being on the other foot a year earlier. But yeah, the devastation of a close GF loss; you just don't have time to prepare yourself for the inevitable during the game, so it hurts more.


Originally posted by JF_Bay22_SCG
The great majority of Eagles fans were actually OK after the Grand Final. Some of them were really loud and boisterous at Young & Jacksons & the Casino in the days after the match. You'd hear them singing or yelling and kind of cower away. It was really really hard to have to be anywhere near that to be honest; my first reaction when I heard lots of Eagles supporters yelling was to put my head down and get out of the area. I kept on asking myself whether we were this loud and unavoidable in 2005.

Probably. I was cowering away I'd say. But the singing and chanting you'd hear isn't at all about rubbing it in - its about celebrating your win. You guys know that from last year, and we do too. The only difference this year is that we both knew were the other side were coming from.


Originally posted by JF_Bay22_SCG
I'm determined to be NOT start crap up now about West Coast after having lost the GF. I'm gutted, am down, but do NOT want to be seen as a poor loser.
I only saw one Swans fan who took the loss bad enough to be crude, and there was nothing they could do to make Eagles fans annoyed. On the whole, the Swans fans I saw were good natured, but we all knew you were burning up inside, because we've been there.


Originally posted by JF_Bay22_SCG
I think alot of the WCE supporters are starting to realise how awesome our rivalry is becoming. I even got friendly nods of respect from several of them in town the next day as I returned from the presentation at South Melbourne.

Well, as Mead over on EFH posted: if you're going to make a prediction on Round 1 2007, tip the Swans by 0.25 points. It's the logical progression.

[j s]

Originally posted by Mr Q
I
Well, as Mead over on EFH posted: if you're going to make a prediction on Round 1 2007, tip the Swans by 0.25 points. It's the logical progression.
Actually it's 0.5 a point - Mead forgot the 2pt margin in the h&a game this year. It will be 0.25 on September 29 though ;)

[swansrock4eva]

As long as it doesn't end up being 0.25 of the other team's score! That might suck a bit...

[Cosmic Wizard]

Originally posted by W84
My respect for the Swans and their supporters is immense.

After the game, I was in a pub that was crammed with Eagles and Swans supporters. The Swans supporters were shattered and had looks of disappointment on their faces, yet they had the dignity to remain at the pub and act gracefully. They even shared in singing ballads with us. I shook a lot of their hands, and they were only too welcoming to share in pleasent conversations. Bitterness was lost within every single one of them.

One Swans bloke even gave me a Weg poster to take home.

My respect towards the Swans as a club, team and supporter base has grown so much over the last couple of years, and it grows with every meeting between us and you guys.

You guys are awesome.

Like I said to many of the Swans supporters yesterday and last night, "We'll see you next season".

Much respect, and comiserations on the loss.

/W84

I was congratulated by WC supporters for being such a good sport. The group around us, was wonderful, both sides cheering
their sides in good measures, but such a lovey respect.

Unlike most Melbourne teams, which hate anyone else.

Sure i saw many a drunk WC support before the game and after, but I cant remember any louts. Might be the luck of the draw.

All in all, it such a nice change from other teams.

Hope we can continue the brillant games in the future.

[Thunder Shaker]

It gets better and better. This summer, it's the Ashes!

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

Originally posted by Thunder Shaker
It gets better and better. This summer, it's the Ashes!


Meh. After what we've all just experienced, sitting for 5 days at a cricket test match = zzzzzz.

JF

[573v30]

Originally posted by JF_Bay22_SCG
Meh. After what we've all just experienced, sitting for 5 days at a cricket test match = zzzzzz.

JF Expecting an anti-climax eh? ;)

[goswannie14]

We had some feral WCE supporters across from us at the game, but after the siren I congratulated them and they were fine.

After that all of them except for one guy were fine. As he and his daughter got off the train, she said "bad luck", so I said with a grin "Oh well, we'll get you next year" and she smiled. The old man then said "Nah the pot of luck has run dry", to which I replied (still with a smlie), "yeah you couldn't get a run from the umpires like you did last week." To which he replied, "You're gone and we're going to win the next three premierships!" As his embarrassed daughter walked out I sent him off with "See you next year then @@@@head".

As I said, all of the others were great, which is as it should be. After all it is only a game.;)