Sydney Swans Trivia Quiz

Answer: 1982

During their early years in Sydney, they struggled to attract a crowd; in fact if you actually bought a ticket, you were in the minority. Tickets were given away by radio stations, newspapers etc. The game itself was seen as a threat to the rugby codes. The first game drew a reasonable crowd of 15,000, but attendances dropped later in the year to around 4,000.

Answer: South Melbourne

South Melbourne, who won 3 premierships (1909, 1918 and 1933), were admitted to the VFL in 1898 (the VFL's second season). They finished ninth in 1981, their last year as South Melbourne. They finished seventh in their first year at their new home, but fell down the ladder in the years that followed.

A fourth on the table in 1987 was a high point, as the early nineties saw them claim the dreaded wooden spoon three times in a row.

Answer: Rick Quade

Quade was the coach through the lean period before the move - the club was threatened with extinction through lack of money. In fact, Quade was still owed payments for his last two seasons as a player. A win in the pre-season cup partially helped to keep the wolf from the door.

Answer: A pig painted with Lockett's name and number was released onto the ground

As can be imagined, this caused great hilarity with the fans. It took a full five minutes before security and players could catch the little fellow. Lockett, who did not play in that game, was hated by the Sydney fans, but when he joined the Swans in 1995 he won them over with his goal-kicking prowess.

Answer: Gordon Coventry

Coventry retired in 1937 from the Collingwood Magpies with 1,299 majors to his credit. He was the first player in the VFL to kick more than 100 in a season (in 1933), and topped the Maggie's goal-kicking list for seven successive years. He was also one of the first inductees to the AFL Hall Of Fame Legends. Lockett broke the record in 1999, ironically playing against Collingwood.

Answer: Greg Williams

Transferring from Carlton and Geelong, 'Diesel', a tough-as-nails centreman, took top honours in his first season in Sydney (1986). Barry Round, Sydney's first captain had won in a South's jersey in 1981, and Healy won in 1989. The legendary Bobby Skilton was a triple Brownlow medallist, winning in 1959, 1963 and 1968.

Answer: Rod Carter

It only took him 14 years, and 215 games. His reaction was one of complete euphoria - you would think that he had just won the goal-kicking award for the year :)

Answer: Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

The Sharks deal fell through, and Edelsten found himself in trouble with both taxation and medical authorities. The AFL was obliged to repay the debt after Edelsten was forced out, and lost millions on the transaction.

Answer: Roy Cazaly

Cazaly was a high-flying goal-kicking forward for South between 1921 and 1927, winning Best and Fairest in 1926. Pratt kicked a record 150 goals in 1934 - a record that took more than 35 years to equal. Skilton, a wily rover, was a triple Brownlow Medal winner and Barassi was elected for his coaching skills in the early 1990s.

Answer: Paul Kelly

He was always high up in the club best and fairest list, winning four times. He captained the All-Australian team twice, and in 1996 he led the Red and Whites to their first Grand Final in over 50 years. Unfortunately for him, the honour of a premiership eluded him as the Kangaroos won comfortably. He retired just one game short of the 2002 final round, with a slew of injuries finally taking their toll.
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