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For the first time in recent memory, and possibly ever, the Sydney Swans are openly despised by a good portion of the AFL-supporting public.
While it largely comes with the territory if you follow Collingwood, Carlton or Essendon, it’s a new and unusual position for Sydney fans to be in.
For so long a byword for respect in the eyes of opposition fans, the Swans are now being targeted as AFL-sanctioned salary cap cheats every time Buddy Franklin and Kurt Tippett light up the Sydney forward-line.
They’ve done so on all three occasions they’ve played together, looking more dominant every time they step out.
How, the people are crying, can a team with enough quality players to win the 2012 premiership afford the monetary largesse that first Tippett and then Franklin were able to command?
While the majority aren’t suggesting that Sydney have been allowed to simply ignore or rort the salary cap to suit their new additions, it still doesn’t feel right that this has been able to happen.
The cost-of-living allowance (COLA) afforded the Swans has long been a bugbear for some, particularly in Melbourne. It’s most vocally opposed by Collingwood president Eddie McGuire, who is never short of a media platform to air his grievances.
No-one really had an issue with it when Sydney weren’t winning, or only really contending every now and then. But even the most ardent Swans supporter must have known that signing Franklin so closely after Tippett was going to be the death knell for COLA at their club.
Regardless of how it was, how it looked was more important, and neutrals were going to draw a line in the sand.
For years we’ve heard about the now-famous ‘Bloods’ culture – a set of internal, uncompromising standards asked of each individual. Most opposition supporters have been in awe of it. All clubs have tried to copy it.
With all of this came open, ungrudging respect, and Sydney fans enjoyed being part of a club that was so admired even while winning.
Now, the wheel has turned. Swans supporters aren’t used to it, and they certainly don’t like it.
The antagonism that many opposition fans are projecting onto their team isn’t going away, so they’re going to have to embrace the raw, tribal side of following AFL football.
The hand-holding, Kumbayah-singing, we’re-all-friends-during-the-game attitude must now stop.
We should all be so lucky for our team to be hated for being successful. What this poor Richmond supporter wouldn’t give to be in such a position, rather than being the subject of mirth or pity for the best part of 30 years.
If you barrack for Sydney, you’re going to be called a team of cheats. Undeserved premiers, if things go that way. People are going to want Buddy to tear the team culture apart. Some will want a long-term injury.
Bloods culture has turned to blood money, they’ll say. The AFL needs a strong presence in Sydney, the accusers will whisper, so will always sanction these underhand deals.
Rather than trying to bite back with civilised discussion or meritorious debate, just point to the scoreboard as Buddy and Kurt combine for their 10th. And do so with a smile on your face.
The Sydney Swans are no longer liked, and that’s fine. Welcome to the real world.