Sydney Swans supporters celebrate at Waves nightclub, where the AFL decider was shown to a crowd of hundreds. Picture: SYLVIA LIBER
Sydney Swans supporter Ben Hyndes was at the MCG to witness the team's victory at the 2005 grand finals - and he said this weekend's win felt like an instant replay.
The Illawarra Lions player joined hundreds of other Swans supporters - and a few Hawthorn fans - to watch the AFL decider at Waves nightclub at Towradgi Beach Hotel on Saturday.
The event was organised by members of the Illawarra Lions AFL club as a fund-raiser, and to raise awareness of AFL and garner support in the region.
"I've been a Swans fan since I can remember," Mr Hyndes, 20, said. "Being at the '05 grand final was the best experience ever and this is just like a replay. Right up to the final siren I was on the edge of my seat - and it's just the best feeling to see them win again."
Fellow Lions player Chris Cook, 22, was also among the mostly red and white crowd at the Towradgi club, and was overjoyed with the Swans' victory.
"It means a lot to me as I've been a Swans supporter all my life, and it will also do wonders for AFL in Sydney and this region," he said. "The Swans are so consistent, and it's a team that doesn't have one or two superstars who take the spotlight - the whole team is really balanced."
Lions player and event co-organiser Erin Franklin said it was great to watch the grand final with so many other AFL supporters at Waves.
"It's been a great turnout," he said. "We had a few problems at the start as there was no sound in the first quarter, but since we sorted that out there's been a great atmosphere.
"It's a big deal having the Swans in the grand finals as it generates so much interest in AFL all over the state and is great for clubs like ours."
Illawarra Lions president Debbie Brookfield added: "It's so positive for the sports when the local heroes come out on top.
"Hawthorn were ahead in the first quarter, but the Swans came back strong and made us proud."