Your interactions with Swans in public

[bloodspirit]

This started as a reply to a post in the 'Past Players' thread and then I decided it deserved its own thread.

I have never approached a Swan away from the footy but have often wanted to. I am never sure if they will appreciate it or rather feel hassled when they are just trying to go about their ordinary life. In particular I have seen Goodes out and about multiple times and would love to approach him and tell him how much I admire him but have never felt sure it would be sincerely appreciated or just politely acknowledged but not really welcomed. Has anyone else approached Swans in public and how did it go down? Would be good to know which players appreciate it and which don't, as there may be individual differences. Then again it could also depend on their mood and schedule on the day.

Just reflecting on this, I realise I tell lies and am not being entirely accurate, I have had these interactions:

* During the H&A season 2011 or 2012 I saw Kizza, McGlynn and (I think) Parker on the morning of a game at Coogee. I had a short chat with Benny including about whether he still felt new to the club or if it felt strange to play the Hawks ("not any more" was his answer). He didn't seem to mind and was shyly friendly.
* A couple of years back I saw another Swan one morning (can't remember who now) and just called out wishing them luck for that night's game - and that was welcome.
* Late last year after an away game (might have been after the prelim v Geelong) I saw Smooch down at Bronte on the following (Sunday) morning. I was with my young son and pointed Smooch out to him and said "that's Nick Smith" or something like that. Smooch noticed (I wasn't being discreet) and he smiled as he walked by.

Nevertheless I have seen, and been tempted to approach, Swans in public many more times than I have done so and wonder if I couldn't afford to do it more often or whether it would be unwelcome. Teddy and Goodesy seem to be the ones I spot most often (probably I live near them) and so any experiences you have with them specifically I would be glad to hear about.

[swansrob]

Living in Melbourne, I don't see Swans players around much. I once saw Tony Armstrong in the supermarket, singing along to the Robbie Williams song playing over the PA, but he was a Collingwood player by then and more recently I was riding my bike and a car was stopped across the path at a crossing forcing everyone to go around. The driver was Tom Mitchell, a recently new Hawthorn player at that stage. Tom drives a VW he probably got for free through the club

[mattybloods]

When I went to the 2014 grand final I was walking past Nandos and notices Aliir, Brandon Jack, Jordan Lockyer, Toby Nankervis and Pat Mitchell having dinner. I waved as I walked past, then I thought better of it and got a photo with them. Toby took the photo of us and then a selfie of himself! Glad I went back for the photo.

[Pmcc2911]

Was in New York just recently with the family and we were sitting on a bench on the Highline, when this couple walked past and the guy said in an Aussie accent "is that a Swans scarf".
Turned out to be Paul Roos and his wife, they stopped and had a chat for about 10 mins, nice couple.

[Markwebbos]

Bumped into a whole bunch of Swans boys at Potatohead in Bali: Parker, Rohan, Naismith. They were extremely friendly and even invited me to join them at the next venue. (They were on their way out as I was going in). I didn't take up their offer but did get a photo at my partners insistence.

[KTigers]

This is not an off field Swans interaction, but probably my favourite footy one. After the 2005 season we were on the same plane as about a dozen of the
St Kilda boys going to Hawaii for their end of season trip. They were very friendly and happy to be recognised and my kids (who were 8 and 10 at the time) had quite a good chat with Kosi and Nick Reiwoldt about the same book all four of them happened to be reading at the same time, the latest instalment of the Harry Potter
series.

[Dosser]

Perhaps my fondest memory was at Optus oval after a preseason match against Carlton the year after Kizza played his first game in the seniors. My daughter was with me and was in her early (very embarrassed) teens, so when we went to meet the players I introduced Kizza to her by saying "he is going to be a REALLY good player for us." My daughter nearly died a thousand deaths but Kizza simply thanked me very modestly for saying that. I love to remind my daughter about that all the time now...

[AnnieH]

I have always been received warmly when approaching a swan (or ex-swan) in public.
Our boys are the nicest boys going around.

[grarmy]

Many delightful memories of great people associated with the club, players, supporters. Highlights:
. Having Kenny Williams (the old, white-haired guy behind the goalposts) autograph a scarf for an interstate friend and chat long about the Swans;
. The appreciation from Neil Cordy when I told him that his dropkick style was, and remains, the best of any Swans player I have ever seen. His eyes watered. He thanked me for my views and said I had made his day. Made mine.
. Paul Roos' wife and I talking for an age about the impact of public life on the family while Roosy stood in the background on the beach playing with his kids.
. The smile and thank you from Mickey O when the wife and I told him how much we liked his game as we all boarded a flight home from Adelaide.
. Nicksy. Chatted with him a few times at functions. Always pleasant and engaging.
. Jarred Crouch, Henry Playfair, the Jack brothers - all great blokes and engaging about the Swans.
. Conspiring with a Chinese lady who sells coffee in central Sydney to get autographs from Luke Ball for her kids. Ball was working with Macquarie Bank and on the Board of the Swans. He would walk around town sometimes at lunchtime. I got the autographs. He went to the coffee place and met the lady too.

Not so nice moments: Tony Lockett turning on me with a very aggressive look and GFY when I asked for an autograph. Andrew Dunkley, whose behaviour was bitter and angry when I approached him as a member supporter.

[Nico]

Plugger was a bit like that at after matches. I knew Paul Rios from work when he broke into Fitzroys team, and at after matches was always up for a chat. My boys had their photos taken with him after his 300th. He signed them after the next Melbourne game. Derek Kickett was great with the kids.

- - - Updated - - -

I think most players accept it is part of the deal. After the Call of The Card at Crown Casino at the after party Luke Hodge was there talking randomly to people who came up to him.

[Sandridge]

Not so nice moments: Tony Lockett turning on me with a very aggressive look and GFY when I asked for an autograph. Andrew Dunkley, whose behaviour was bitter and angry when I approached him as a member supporter.

What's that they say about never meeting your heroes? You've only got to catch someone on a "not-so-good" day and, unfortunately, that's the way you remember them.

I've approached Andrew Dunkley on two separate occasions to have him sign photos for me - one of him holding my son when he was a baby and one of he and Paul Kelly being carried off the ground after their last game. Dunks was great to me and even told me he remembered having the photo taken with my son. Certainly know what you mean with Plugger, though. Got an autograph once but it was given under sufferance.

My sons and I often attend Melbourne family functions and have been to the airport to welcome the team when they've arrived for Grand Finals. I know the players would expect to meet the public on these occasions and would be very aware that they are representing the club. However, they are truly magnificent with their fans. One of my sons has autism and intellectual delay and the players are just fantastic in their dealings with him. I agree with Annie - our boys really are the nicest going around.!

[liz]

. Conspiring with a Chinese lady who sells coffee in central Sydney to get autographs from Luke Ball for her kids. Ball was working with Macquarie Bank and on the Board of the Swans. He would walk around town sometimes at lunchtime. I got the autographs. He went to the coffee place and met the lady too.

Jason?