The Sydney Swans are a success story for the AFL but it wasn’t always the case as Roar expert Greg Prichard remembers all too well.
Prichard is a rugby league tragic at heart but had to quickly brush up on his Australian Rules knowledge when he was given the task of writing about the Swans in the 1980s for the Daily Mirror.
“In 1984 the Swans were struggling. I did two years of covering the Swans and then Geoffrey Edelsten bought them, and then, of course, the publicity meter went through the roof,” Prichard said.
In a way, Prichard’s initial lack of knowledge about the code actually worked in his favour as the rugby league obsessed Sydney market was far more interested in the players than the on-field results.
“Not being an AFL aficionado myself, I just decided I’m not going to be too technical about you know, write about the personalities rather than getting caught up in the technical stuff because you’ll probably make a mistake.”
There was no bigger personality than Warwick Capper. The legendary boastful figure was a media sensation and Prichard felt like he was on a movie set every time he interviewed him.
“He was a great bloke, I mean you know he’s mad, you can tell but he’s mad in the right way. He got a pretty long life out of just being Warwick Cappper there for a long time.”
Prichard remembers one particular occasion when Capper was getting offers to go and play for the Brisbane Bears and it looked like he was going to reject them and stay in Sydney.
“We were down at his place at about 6:30-7 in the morning on a Friday morning. Out the back next to his pool with a glass of champagne for photos. Ended up being a front page story on the Mirror that day – That Capper’s re-signing with the Swans, and is going to knock back the Brisbane Bears.”
“And it was all 100 per cent true but then something changed in the coming days and he ended up not staying with the Swans and ended up going back to the Bears anyway.”
While Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin is a completely different character to Capper, he and other Swans players have Capper to thank for putting AFL on the map in the harbour city.
More Prichard:
» The toughest person I’ve ever interviewed
» Super League memories two decades on
Col in paradise
Guest
Yep underrated - 330 something goals in 120 games plus - in a average to crap teams - cracked the 100 goals one season - yep big mistake going to the bears - and yep people loved to hate him ! But got the early swans crowds n coverage n they grew from there.
J.T. Delacroix
Guest
I was a neutral, so I didn't care either way. But the natives were certainly restless. By 3/4 time they were just dumbstruck. I think he kicked 7 or 8, most of them via a ridiculous mark. Very entertaining afternoon.
Mattyb
Guest
I could just imagine how he would have gone down at the legendary Vic Park. I saw him a couple of times at the Western Oval and his sheer presence agitated the home fans more than I can remember before or since.
J.T. Delacroix
Guest
I remember seeing him destroy Collingwood at Vic Park mid eighties. 90% of the crowd hated his guts & let him know it, but it made no difference. Just spurred him on.
Sydneygirl
Guest
He wasn't popular with everyone in Sydney. Those in our family couldn't stand him. He could play but was such a mug lair. Me and others in my family never became Sydney supporters till after Capper had gone. About the time of Paul Kelly and other hard committed footballers that have followed since.
Mattyb
Guest
I always thought Capper was a very underrated player,he should definatly stayed at Sydney in hindsight. While he was very popular in Sydney I remember him being very unpopular in Melbourne. I don't think we were ready for his flamboyance. In those days wearing white boots was a big no no also but today people don't batter an eyelid which is probably good. Funny times indeed,I remember drinking water during preseason in 35'+ conditions was also a big no no.
Gyfox
Guest
In Oct 1987 I was in LA & went to Disneyland. Walking around I came across Warwick & his-then girlfriend. I greeted him & took a pic, which is in my album of that holiday. I occasionally wonder if he would like me to send it to him. He looked great then - fit & in the prime of his career.