Stats & History Alberton/ Sin City Swamprats - A Comprehensive History

Ant Bear · Aug 28, 2016

Alberton/Sin City Swamprats

Formed by Macca19 and Porthos in SFA Season 4 as Alberton Swamprats
Inaugural team:
B: rubberman : Porthos (VC) : MrMeaner
HB: kaysee : Pred : Scott
C: JuniorBurger : Macca19 (C) : Andre
HF: PAFowlr : Santos L Helper : Dreamkillers
F: _Espoir : Groove : Russian
R: Crazy_Big_Al : Eago77 : Ray Nolan
I: Sog35 : Dyertribe
Reserves: Nicski : Ferox : Bresh : Portentous

Revived by MannumPower and Jonts in S16 - S18
Rebranded as Sin City Swamprats S19 - present

League Awards:
PREMIERS: S6
Premiership team:

FB *PAF - Toots Hibbert - Pred
HB Porthos - Ford Fairlane - ParalowiePower
C Dyertribe - Macca19 - Ray Nolan
HF Russian - Santos L Helper - Andre
F Dreamkillers - Groove - JuniorBurger
R Crazy_Big_Al - MrMeaner - Total Power
I sog35 - blackdiamond

PREMIERS S27
Premiership Team

B: rickety - Far Kern - TheMase
HB: jackster83 - ant555 - Power Raid
C: GotTheGoodes - Ant Bear - Firestarter
HF: Kirkswan - edgie - sportsmaniac89
F: LukeParkerno1 - SarahSmiles - sataris
R: SparkleNarkle - philreich - Nunez

INT: Obeanie1 - Quadzilla

PREMIERS S29
Premiership Team

B: sportsmaniac89 - Far Kern - Quadzilla
HB: Firestarter - jackster83 - sataris
C: Leviathan Pie - GotTheGoodes - Kirkswan
HF: akkaps - ant555 - Power Raid
F: LukeParkerno1 - SarahSmiles - GremioPower
FOLL: Rich the babe Evans - philreich - Nunez

INT: edgie - Sparkle

Minor Premiers: S20, S28, S29

ALFAndrews Awards: Groove 108 goals S4 (All-time SFA record)
Gray Day 83 goals S22
Dingster 79 goals S25

Deestroy Medal: Total Power S6, philreich S27

Frankston Rover Award: Cloud_ S22
Millky95 S23
Ant Bear S25

Mobbenfuhrer Medal: MannumPower S20
Ant Bear S22
Noobz0r S23
Ant Bear S26
Nunez S27
philreich S28
Nunez S30

Club Honour Roll:

Captaincy Records:
Macca19 (S4 - S7) 99 Games 53W/45L/1D
Toots Hibbert (S9) 18 games 8W/9L/1D
Jonts (S16 co-captain) 20 games, 10W/10L
MannumPower (S16[co-captain], S17) 38 games, 15W/23L
spookism (S18 - S21) 67 games, 34W/32L/1D
Millky95 (S22 - S23) 37 games, 18W/17L/2D
Ant Bear (S24 - S26) 56 games, 24W/32L
Far Kern (S27 - S28[co-captain]) 59 games, 38W/19L/2D
philreich (S28[co-captain]- S35) 138 games, 69W/66L/3D
Kennedy Parker (S33 co-captain) 17 games, 6W/11L
jackster83 (S36 - )16 games, 8W/8L

Top 10 Stats Leaders (to end S36):

Club Records (end of S36):
Highest score: 27.15 (177) vs Geelong Gumbies, S4 r17
Highest Score conceded: 28.8 (176) vs Coney Island Warriors, S36 R5
Lowest score: 4.8 (32) v Geelong Gumbies S17 r6/v East Side Hawks S21 r6
Lowest score conceded: 5.6 (36) v Mt Buller Demons S5 r8
Biggest winning margin: 106 points v Baghdad Bombers S9 r1
Biggest losing margin: 88 points v East side Hawks S21 r6
Longest winning streak: 9 games S30 r3-11
Longest losing streak: 10 games S23QF - S24 r8
Overall Record: Played 368 games - 241 wins, 8 draws, 240 losses, pf 48063, pa 45011, 106.78%

Vs All Opponents:

Logos:
S16

S17

S19

S24

The Creed:
We the players and management of the Alberton Swamprats Football Club accept the heritage which players and administrators have passed down to us. In so doing we do not intend to rest in idleness but shall strive with all our power to further the drunken revelries of our forebears.

To do this we believe -

There is great honour and merit in getting booze when it is on special

That to be drunk one must consume at least 5 standard drinks per hour

We believe that inebriation is well within our reach and that each member of both the team and management will suffer hangovers for the common end.

Also we know that should we, after drinking as much as possible, still not reach a state of alcohol poisoning our efforts will become a further part of this clubs noble tradition.

Finally we concede that there can be honour in being half cut, but to each of us honourable semi inebriation can come only after the endeavour to score enough beer and spirits has been completely exhausted

Club Song:
Beer, beer the black and the white
Honour the beer by day and by night
Lift that pint of stout up high
Chug down the f***er til it's dry
Whether the pub be great or be small
We'll clean it out and spew over all
While our Swamprats keep on drinking
Onwards to pissed glory!

Swamprat National Anthem:
Swamprats all, let us rejoice, for we are undie free
With golden beer and rivals tears, our women we don't see
Underground we dwell, we drink and yell, we're loud and we don't care,
We live in pubs, do lots of drugs
Swamprats don't play fair.
In drunken rants, we lose our pants
Swamprats don't play fair

Every Swamprat ever:

Updated to end of Season 36
Acknowledgements: Mobbenfuhrer Danoz spookism MannumPower Millky95 Cloud_ jackster83 GremioPower

Ant Bear · Aug 29, 2016

SEASON 4

Macca19 and Porthos, who later changed username to the famous Portia, unleashed the Alberton Swamprats on the SFA in Season 4, which ran as a 26 round season throughout 2004 with 13 clubs playing home and away, and 2 byes. The team was entirely comprised of Port board members, as would be the case up until S18.

The fledgling clubs’ maiden game was against the Fighting Furies, and resulted in a 3 point win. They would win the next 2 as well, before a streak of 4 losses put them back in the pack chasing a top 8 finish. A mid-season 4 game winning streak set them up for a finals berth, before 4 consecutive losses again meant that it would take 3 wins in the last 4 games to finish sixth and set up a home final against the Titans.

Despite a 19 point l0ss and elimination, the season was considered a success. Two records were set which stand to this day. The clubs’ record score of 27.15 (177) was scored in round 17 against the Geelong Gumbies, and full-forward Groove booted 108 goals in the regular season, which is still a league record and unlikely to be broken with the shorter seasons in vogue.

Ant Bear · Aug 29, 2016

SEASON 5

The competition was reduced to 12 teams, with Blues Brothers, Junkyard Dogs and West Coast Magic folding, and the Las Vegas Bears and a Dragons team entering the competition, Leaving a 22 round season. The Swamprats added 10 new players to the list, including Ford Fairlane who has played over 150 games as of S21.

After starting sluggishly with 4 losses in the first 5 games, the Swamprats went on a 5 game winning streak from rounds 6-10 to entrench themselves in the top 8. They then had an up-and down- mid season patch, before finishing the minor round in 8th spot. However, they went on a winning finals run, eliminating the Wonders, Titans and Gumbies to charge into the Grand Final against the Fighting Furies. The classic game resulted in an 85-all draw, coming from 14 point deficit at 3/ time to hit the front by a point with 2 minutes to play before a Furies point resulted in a replay. Unfortunately, the Furies were too good, and took out the premiership by 11 points.

Ant Bear · Aug 29, 2016

Season 6

After the heartbreak of S5, the club came out determined to redeem themselves. The Razors and Fremantle Dockers were replaced by the East Side Hawks and the short-lived Koalas to remain as a 12 team comp, and the Swamprats brought in Toots Hibbert, spookism and Total Power, who would all prove pivotal in the season and in the club’s future.

The Swamprats got off to a flying start with 6 wins in the first eight games, but had alternating results mid-season before flying home, winning 4 of the last 6 to finish the minor round in 2nd at 13/9. An 11 ppoint victory over the Furies in the QF, and a 9 goal thrashing of the Bombers in the Prelim saw them charge into the Grand Final against the Las Vegas Bears. Dyertribe, crazy_big_al and Toots Hibbert dominated, and Total Power took away the BOG Deestroy medal with 21 kicks, 10 tackles and 3 goals as the Alberton Swamprats triumphed by 17 points after trailing by 33 at the first change. Premiers, in only their third season and things looked rosy…

Ant Bear · Aug 29, 2016

Season 7

Another 7 new faces fronted for S7, including loyal servant Quadzilla, then known as nivek48. The Southern Sharks, who would later merge with the Dragons, and a sim team of AFL All-stars replaced the Koalas and the Titans.

Facing waning interest, the Swamprats still loomed in a good position at 8/7, but faded horribly to lose 5 of their last 7 with their final round 3 point loss to the Furies dropping them out of the top 8. Total Power, tribey and Macca19 all had great seasons, with Tribey taking out the B&F.

Captain Macca19 was unable to put together a team in time for S8, and the club was forced to the sidelines for a season...

Ant Bear · Aug 29, 2016

SEASON 9

The late Toots Hibbert, who would posthumously have the clubs’ B&F named in his honour, took the reins as the Alberton Swamprats were re-admitted to the competition in S9. Fatty Lumpkin was the main recruit, having transferred from the dormant Roys. The Las Vegas Bears had folded; the Roys had been replaced by the Mod Squad, and the Southern Sharks and the Dragons had merged into the Southern Dragons, later to become the Dragons FFC. The BigFooty Bombers rebranded as Baghdad, and the league was down to 9 teams plus the AFL All-stars, with a 6 team finals format.

The Swamprats got away well, with 3 wins and a draw in their first month, but then went winless for four weeks and struggled to maintain form, alternating pairs of wins and losses to finish at 8/9/1 and in seventh position, therefore just missing out on finals due to a last round loss to the Furies again. crazy_big_al dominated the ruck, and FattyLumpkin earned All-SFA honours along with Toots Hibbert

Ant Bear · Aug 29, 2016

SEASON 16

In a successful expansion bid, the Alberton Swamprats were re-admitted for SFA S16 along with new club the Gold City Royals and eight existing clubs. MannumPower and Jonts, who had played S15 for the Bombers, along with Gee Dub (who stayed with the Bombers) led the expansion bid, and brought in 14 new players, including exciting talents Noobz0r , Mister Marto (now Gray Day ), MoOP and Schulzenfest

A hat-trick of consecutive wins kicked off the revitalised club, but this was cancelled out by a 4 match losing streak from rounds 8-11, and alternating results coming home left them at 9/9. This was, however, enough to scrape into the 6th and last Finals spot, and they crushed the Mt Buller Demons in the first Elimination final before a narrow loss to the West Coast Wonders eliminated them.

Foundation player crazy_big_al won the B&F, with rookie Kickpuncher booting 65 goals, but the future of the club was on show as Noobz0r and spookism dominated disposals.

Links:
S16 Team Thread
S16 B&F Start - Finish

Ant Bear · Aug 29, 2016

SEASON 17

No changes to the structure of the league, as all 10 clubs from S16 made the starting line. ShaunDuggan and The Jet came across from the Wonders, while abraham Nuscrack made his debut. Future VC I Dont Care also slipped in late in the season as Grosh147.

At 1/6 after 7 games, the club was reeling, and the only highlight was consecutive high scoring wins against the Furies and Dragons before losing eight of the last 10 games to record a 5/13 season and the Swamprats’ only wooden spoon. Captain MannumPower stoically stood up, achieving All-SFA to go with his Toots Hibbert Award, and Schulzenfest booted 62 goals.

Links:

Ant Bear · Aug 29, 2016

SEASON 18

Expansion occurred again, as the Las Vegas Bears re-formed and the Coney Island Warriors were admitted to comprise a 12 team league again, and the reinstatement of the final eight. Ant Bear, Janus and RossFC were brought in as rookies under new captain spookism, whilst Power Raid came across from the Royals.

The club improved on the previous season, winning 4 of the first nine games, but the club-record losing streak of 5 games thereafter sent them plummeting to the foot of the table before salvaging pride with 3 late wins to finish in 10th at 7/10.

The season did provide positive signs for the future, with spookism winning the Toots Hibbert, Noobz0r and Power Raid were named in the All-SFA team, and Ant Bear won the rookie award. By season’s end, the club undertook a vote to open its doors to non-Port supporters, and to change name to the Sin City Swamprats and move home ground to the Underground Stadium.

Power Raid · Aug 29, 2016

I'm clearly a dream

Ant Bear · Aug 29, 2016

SEASON 19

With off-season rebranding complete, the newly-monikered Sin City Swamprats moved into their shiny new subterranean
home for S19. With the Gumbies also being renamed as the Wolves, a stable base of 12 teams commenced proceedings. The Swamprats, with external assistance from ClarkeM, brought in a batch of recruits, and two of them in Millky95 and toxic were to prove pivotal in the clubs' fortunes. spookism also brought back ShaunDuggan from exile, and handed a second chance to bffl as the club diversified its player base.

However, 5 losses in the first seven games left the club dangling precariously. A pair of back-to-back wins put their finals destiny in their own hands by the final round, and a win over the Gold City Royals in the final round would have returned the club to finals action, but they were cruelly denied by a drawn match, which left them excluded once again.

Rookie toxic, playing much of the time as starting ruck, won the Toots Hibbert medal, and he and Millky95 are rumoured to have filled the minor placings in the EKA Medal, with the order hotly debated ever after...

tribey · Aug 30, 2016

Ant Bear said:
Season 7

Another 7 new faces fronted for S7, including loyal servant Quadzilla, then known as nivek48. The Southern Sharks, who would later merge with the Dragons, and a sim team of AFL All-stars replaced the Koalas and the Titans.

Facing waning interest, the Swamprats still loomed in a good position at 8/7, but faded horribly to lose 5 of their last 7 with their final round 3 point loss to the Furies dropping them out of the top 8. Total Power, tribey and Macca19 all had great seasons, with Tribey taking out the B&F.

Captain Macca19 was unable to put together a team in time for S8, and the club was forced to the sidelines for a season...

View attachment 282523

Matches played (links are embedded)
Round 1 Alberton Swamprats 21.10.136 def Las Vegas Bears 11.9.75

Round 2 West Coast Wonders 8.9.57 wdb Alberton Swamprats 16.8.104

Round 3 Alberton Swamprats 9.13.67 wdb Mt Buller Demons 12.15.87

Round 4 Bigfooty Bombers 22.12.144 def Alberton Swamprats 23.3.141

Round 5 Alberton Swamprats 13.13.91 def AFL Allstars 13.12.90

Round 6 Southern Sharks 15.6.96 def Alberton Swamprats 11.16.82

Round 7 Alberton Swamprats 10.4.64 def Roys FC 9.8.62

Round 8 Geelong Gumbies 14.20.104 def Alberton Swamprats 12.8.80

Round 9 Alberton Swamprats 15.10.100 def Dragons 13.8.86

Round 10 Fighting Furies 8.15.63 wdb Alberton Swamprats 17.18.120

Round 11 Alberton Swamprats 14.6.90 wdb East Side Hawks 14.15.99.

Round 12 East Side Hawks 9.10.64 def Alberton Swamprats 5.5.35

Round 13 Las Vegas Bears 13.14.92 def Alberton Swamprats 8.5.53

Round 14 Alberton Swamprats 13.9.87 def West Coast Wonders 7.10.52

Round 15 Mt Buller Demons 14.9.93 wdb Alberton Swamprats 14.17.101

Round 16 Alberton Swamprats 13.7.85 wdb BigFooty Bombers 16.17.113

Round 17 AFL Allstars 12.9.81 def Alberton Swamprats 11.4.70

Round 18 Alberton Swamprats 15.10.100 def Southern Sharks 12.4.76

Round 19 Roys FC 11.9.75 def Alberton Swamprats 7.11.53

Round 20 Alberton Swamprats 10.7.67 wdb Geelong Gumbies 12.6.78

Round 21 Dragons 6.7.43 wdb Alberton Swamprats 16.9.105

Round 22 Alberton Swamprats 12.10.82 wdb Fighting Furies 13.7.85

I did? Awesome.

Ant Bear · Aug 30, 2016

SEASON 20

After 3 seasons out of finals action, the club looked for stability, with only Cloud_ (Close Contest) and Sublime arriving as rookies. Late season returns from somnolence by crazy_big_al and Gray Day (Marto_) were welcome additions to the posting ranks, as the activity in match threads exploded into stratospheric heights never before seen.

On-field, an opening round loss to great rivals the Fighting Furies was soon forgotten, as 4 consecutive wins propelled the club to the upper echelons of the ladder. And It only got better, with a club-record 8 game winning streak from rounds 7-14 securing the Swamprats first Minor Premiership and best ever season at 13/3. However, it all went haywire in the finals. An opening loss to the Dragons forced the use of the double chance, and despite a crushing win over the Las Vegas Bears in the semi-final, no petrol tickets remained for the Prelominary Final against the Mt Buller Demons, who eliminated the brave Rats with an 8 point result.

The post-season awards was highlighted by the clubs' first ever win in the Mobbenfuhrer Medal, by club stalwart MannumPower. Another club record was set by three players (Ant Bear, spookism and Millky95) all attaining All SFA honours. Millky95 also took out his first Toots Hibbert Medal as the B&F

Ant Bear · Aug 30, 2016

SEASON 21

Revelling in the afterglow of a successful season, the Swamprats gained the services of SpudsLoveChild from the Furies, whilst Butler came in as a rookie and provided excellent service throughout the season. With a full season from Gray Day and the return of Noobz0r offsetting the loss of toxic to the Warriors, greater glory loomed.

The first half of the season, however, did not go as planned. Three losses in the first four rounds caused a rethink, and a shuffle of positions righted the ledger to 4/4 at the halfway point. But from there, the situation further unravelled. An unprecedented feat of three consecutive losses to the team occupying the bottom spot on the SFA ladder sent the Rats into wooden spoon territory. Then a run of 3 wins lifted them into a position where a last round victory over the Dragons would have earned an unlikely finals berth, but all energy had already been expended and the Dragons snuffed out their hopes.

Ant Bear had a standout season, with a runaway Toots Hibbert win, and he and Millky95 both earned a second consecutive All-SFA gong. Gray Day capped his return by winning the Groove award for most goals, and Butler was a shoe-in for the Best Rookie. The season ended with spookism retiring as captain and handing over to Millky95, the first non-Port Swamprat skipper. MannumPower also retired, ushering in a new generation of Swamprats

Links:
S21 Team Thread
S21 Posting Stats
S21 B&F - Start - Finish
S21-S22 Off-Season thread
All matches (links embedded):
Rnd 1 - Sin City Swamprats 10.14(74) wdb Roys FFC 15.5(95)@ Underground Stadium

Rnd 2 - West Coast Wonders 9.8(62) wdb Sin City Swamprats 25.15(165) @ The Colosseum
Rnd 3 - Sin City Swamprats 10.7(67) wdb Gold City Royals 16.9(105) @ Underground Stadium
Rnd 4 - Geelong Wolves 18.12(120) d Sin City Swamprats 11.8(74) @ The Lair
Rnd 5 - Sin City Swamprats 11.12(78) d Dragons FFC 11.7(73) at Underground Stadium
Rnd 6 - East Side Hawks 18.12(120) d Sin City Swamprats 4.8(32) @ Waverley Park
Rnd 7 - Sin City Swamprats 15.21(111) d Mt Buller Demons 15.7(97) @ Underground Stadium
Rnd 8 - Las Vegas Bears 13.8(86) wdb Sin City Swamprats 19.8(122) @ The Stadium In The Sky
Rnd 9 - Sin City Swamprats 14.8(92) wdb Coney Island Warriors 16.6(102) @ Underground Stadium
Rnd 10 - Sin City Swamprats 5.4(34) wdb Fighting Furies 16.5(101) @ Underground Stadium
Rnd 11 - Baghdad Bandits 22.11(143) d Sin City Swamprats 15.10(100) @ Abdu Prison
Rnd 12 - Roys FFC 18.15(123) d Sin City Swamprats 9.8(62) @ Brunswick Junction Oval
Rnd 13 - Sin City Swamprats 18.7(115) d West Coast Wonders 15.5(95) @ Underground Stadium
Rnd 14 - Gold City Royals 6.7(43) wdb Sin City Swamprats 10.10(70) @ The Golden Throne
Rnd 15 - Sin City Swamprats18.3(111) d Geelong Wolves 11.9(75) @ Underground Stadium
Rnd 16 - Dragons FFC 25.14(164)d Sin City Swamprats 17.7(109) @ Dragon Island

Ant Bear · Aug 30, 2016

For historical purposes, I will also leave a copy of this here, from mid-S20 as we celebrated our 200th total game...

Welcome to a new series of interviews with historical SFA figures. Tonight, in the lead up to the Sin City Swamprats' 200th SFA game, we feature Swamprat founding father, inaugural Captain and skipper of the only Swamprat Premiership team (so far) in S6...please welcome Macca19

(photo supplied by official Swamprat paparazzi and all-round good guy Cloud_ )

AB: Macca, thanks for taking the time to share your wisdom with the modern SFA. As you know, this week is the 200th game for the club you founded, yet it is only your 198th. I believe that you were suspended for a couple of games in the clubs' first year?

M19: Yes, I was suspended for missing a crucial drinking session. The leadership group had to take a stand to uphold the constitution, and I'm pleased to say that those elite standards of drunkenness are upheld to this day.

AB:The Swamprats began as the Alberton Swamprats back in S4. Tell us about the formative years of the club.

M19: The inaugural squad was a strong one, we got a bunch of good posters involved and many had great seasons. It was a small squad - 24 players involved so tried to make a change every week to get everyone involved. It was made up of 23 Port and 1 Crow poster. Groove kicked 113 goals in our first season, was sensational watching his form throughout the year.

Original Swamprat squad. Macca19 front centre

On the park the season ebbed and flowed. We won our first 3, lost the next 4, then went on a great run where we 7 out of 9 up to Round 17 before losing 4 in a row and stumbling into the finals. We unfortuantely lost the Elim Final by 9 points to the Titans, but I thought it gave us a great grounding to go into our 2nd season with some good form behind us and the knowledge that our squad was good enough to go deep into finals with some further development.

AB: Seasons 5 and 6 were arguably the most successful for the club until now. A drawn Grand Final; a losing Grand Final; but eventually S6 Premiers. Tell us about your memories of those times..

M19: I'll bring in Ford Fairlane at this point to share his memories too. He is the only other premiership player still active today.
We were really hoping for a big year in our 2nd season and after a shaky start, we got going mid season and ended up reaching the Grand Final. It ended up a draw in an incredible result. It was an incredible finals series. We led with minutes to go but the Furies kicked the last 4 points to tie the scores with only 20 seconds to go. The Furies won a really close replay by 11 points. There was only 1 point in it at 3/4 time and despite leading during the last quarter, we ran out of legs. I wont lie, it was shattering. To go so far, to get into a replay and to lose was real hard. Myself and Crazy Big Al shared the BnF in S5. The Ruck & Rover combo were near unbeatable.

But, we picked ourselves up, got a great new recruit in Toots Hibbert who sured up the backline, That's Power changed his name to Total Power and became just an unstoppable force in the midfield. Again it was a bit of an up and down year but we ended up with 13 wins for the season and got ourselves into a QF against the Furies. I tell you what, how sweet it was to get a bit of redemption over them in the finals, kicked 6 goals to 1 in the first quarter and won by 11 points. We dominated the Prelim against the Bombers and won by 54 points. Total Power had 20 touches and 7 goals from the middle, I had 26 touches, MrMeaner kicked 4 goals from the middle. We were in form and ready for a big GF against the Bears who'd come from a Elim Final to make it through.

We were pretty nervous going in and it showed. We were 33 points down at 1/4 time and we looked lost out there. Through the likes of Andre, Groove & Santos L Helper we got back within 14 points at the main break. With scores tied at the final change, I just implored one final huge effort, reminded them of what happened the season before and how that made us feel. It was goal for goal for a little while but we got a couple and held on to win. Tears and Beers did flow!

Just a huge season, a massive relief and some fantastic stories to come out of it. Total Power dominated. The two key backs in Portia and Toots Hibbert were wonderful. Crazy Big Al continued to show why he was the best Ruck in the SFA, kicked 46 goals for the year.

The greatest day.

FF: I can't really remember much about the drawn and lost grand finals. I'll admit it, I got absolutely stonkered. I was so drunk I think I suffered some sort of brain damage that impaired my short term memory of the games. They are just blank spaces where memory used to be. Maybe it's better that way as it masks the pain. I get an empty feeling when asked about that season but couldn't really tell you why. To be honest I probably should have started drinking after the replay not the draw but y'know the Swampy tradition, once we started it seemed a bit weak to stop.

The season 6 grand final I learned my lesson and can remember something of the game. It was like that 1994 Port v Eagles grand final in sanfl fantasy footy where Port gave up a huge early lead then fought back and eventually ran over the top of their opposition. You couldn't script the result better. It was like Die Hard meets Rocky meets Rambo but with better acting. Macca reckons there was a season that led up to the big game but y'know a bit hazy and he could be having a lend.

I was happy with my game, picked up 16 possessions and when your possession count equals Warren Tredrea's number well you can't complain can you? Can't forget either that my old half back partner in crime and our dashing wingman, the artists formerly know as Porthos and dyertribe picked up 20 free kicks between them, 10 each. I'm fairly sure that Portia belted tribey a couple of times and the umpy fell for it, but let's face it they're not the sharpest tools in the shed are they?

I always get a bit misty about those games, so many fallen comrades who I haven't forgotten just because of alcohol induced comas.

AB: Thanks Ford. Hang around, the old guys' memory may need some jolting!
The Alberton Swamprats then disappeared from the SFA scene for a number of seasons. What happened there?

M19: Unfortunately a miscommunication meant that we failed to lodge after S7 so we sadly missed out on a spot in the league. It was nothing more than a error. The decision to resurrect the second time was because of how fun the SFA has become and the league really needed the Swamprats in there. The vindication to start it up again is there with us leading the league at the moment. It was a tough few seasons there but we can get success this year. We have a lot of wonderful posters who get involved and its great to be a part of that once again

AB: What were the captain's responsibilities in those days?

M19: At the time my responsibility was to pick the team, give out BnF votes and create some previews and reviews for the matches. I gave out end of season awards (Best Team Man etc). Accidentally missed the lodgement date to get the team in in one of the early seasons so that was a sign that I wasn't able to spend the time on the SFA that it deserved and so relinquished the captaincy to someone that could spend the time doing it.

AB: And, of course, as a result of a crisis point after S18 the club re-branded under spookism to become the Sin City Swamprats. How do you feel about the image change to the Alberton club you spawned?

M19: It was a necessary change to keep the Swampy dream alive. We'd always been inclusive as a club and one of the members of our premiership team was a non-Port supporter at the time. And honestly, who wouldn't want to be involved in the Swamprats! For so long players at other clubs were envious of our traditions and history, it was only fair that we opened up the club to all to enjoy the festivities!

AB: And so, to the SFA circa S20. The club sits proudly atop the SFA ladder, with a diverse and active group of posters. What do you two old-timers think of the modern SFA and the current Swamprat squad?

M19:They are worlds apart. A lot less banter back then but it meant more time for drinking so i'm in two minds as to which was better. It's great how big the SweetFA has become. It always had potential and its great that that potential has been realised and sits correctly as the greatest sporting competition in the country.

FF: It's a terrific young squad and I'm pleased it still finds a spot for an old derelict like me. I like to think that the range of dirty tricks I learned over the years both on the field and working in Alberton junkyards helps out the young fellas when the going gets tough. The old exposed nail in the boot trick is a favourite and putting a plaster cast on a perfectly good arm can really give you a strong advantage over a feisty opponent. And the range of drinking games which shouldn't be restricted just to non-game time can't be underestimated.

Current Swamprats Quadzilla Power Raid and spookism

I enjoy the posting of Mannum Power and spookism, they're smart, they're cruel, they know where to hit so it hurts. Giving the captaincy to spookism has really added to his performance, he's lifted another level and added another dimension to his game.

AB:Hmmm. No mention of me...Oh well. we'll finish off with some quick questions. From the initial Swamprat squad, who won the B&F?

M19:We had a best and fairest with players rated from 0-10 on their performance. The top 5 were:
1. Groove 173
2. Andre 159
3. Santos L Helper 138
4. Bresh 137
5. Eago77 132

Some other awards were Best Team Man - Santos L Helper. Most Dedicated - Andre. Most Consistent - Bresh. Most Courageous - Crazy Big Al. Coachs Trophy - juniorburger.

AB: Who was the leading goalkicker?

M19: Groove kicked 113 goals in our first season, was sensational watching his form throughout the year.

AB: Who were the best posters? I notice match threads rarely went past 4 pages back then...

M19: Different era in terms of posting obviously but we had quite a few people get well involved. Crazy Big Al, Pred, Eago77, dreamkillers, Scott, Santos L Helper all got involved and gave great support throughout the year.

AB: Did you have a favourite opponent or opposition poster?

M19: jod23 was my favourite opposition poster. We co-lead Team Pump in the inaugural years of the SFA and had some good times on the opposite side of the park as well.

FF: None of them. Can't respect them and can't give any of them the advantage in any reunion of thinking their s**t don't stink. Some of them might still be playing, I don't know because I refuse to acknowledge them.

AB:Your least favourite opponent?

M19: Alf Andrews. Was just unbeatable on the park. Bastard.

FF: All of them. I'm not playing favourites for the reasons outlined above. Never give a sucker an even break. The true Swampy tradition. It's nothing personal - I don't like a lot of the guys I played footy with either. You never know when they might become an opponent so it doesn't pay to get too close. Y'know like saying g'day at training. I do apologise to the ones I knocked out at training who never left. But you can never be sure. To the others, you deserve what you get

AB: Who is your favourite Swamprat ever?

M19: I'm not going to individualize as its a team sport and we have so many great people involved with the Swampies at the moment. I feel we can get success this year. There is a similar buzz around the place, the parties are better than ever and you just feel that with a good run, this could well be our year.

FF: Santos L Helper. Toughest bastard I ever met. Poured kerosene on his Weet Bix and farted fireballs. Bloody gentleman though. Would help an old lady across the street and then back again whether she wanted to or not.

AB: Right. Wait and see who gets dropped when I become captain...um...where were we...The most memorable match?

M19: The most memorable match was a Swampies trial game back in 2003 before the Swampies joined the SFA. It was a trial between the Port & Adelaide boards and we won by under a kick in the last minute of the game. That was the seed that saw us join the SFA and it was an honour to lead the club from its inception. The finals series in the year we drew the GF was insane. We won the QF & SF by under a goal, the Prelim was close and then we drew the grand final. Of course, its hard to overlook the Premiership as well. All that hard work that went in, the joy and relief when we won the flag was overwhelming.

FF: The premiership of course. The only game I can remember. I have a vague recollection of last week's game but not whether it was any good. Give me a hint.

AB: The splinters in your arse don't remind you??
What do you guys do with yourselves in your semi-retirement?

M19: We are co-dictators and overlords of a fantasy world called the "Port Board". Work, 2 young kids with another on the way and drink with the boys!

FF: Try to sober up. It gets tougher as you get older. I always used to laugh at the old timers saying about how the body can't cope as you get older but I'm finding I hit the wall sooner these days. Can't believe people worry about Charlie Dixon having a red before a game. That's not really drinking is it?

AB: Finally, Macca, as you are aware the Awards Committee have decided to name the new posting award in your honour as the Macca Medal, voted on round-by-round by the entire Swamprat squad.
Thank you both for joining us tonight.

M19: Its a huge honour and very humbling. Its a great club and to have your name on an award, I never expected that to happen at all. Carn Swampies!

FF: See you at the bar.

Ant Bear · Aug 30, 2016

Thanks to everyone (well, NEARLY everyone...) for your patience and restraint.

That was A LOT of work.

Ant Bear · Aug 30, 2016

tribey said:
I did? Awesome.

Apparently.

You should come back - the SFA is a different place now...

Millky95 · Aug 30, 2016

Fantastic work Ant Bear should be very proud of yourself

I Dont Care · Aug 30, 2016

Well done Ant Bear excellent job. You may now pat yourself on the back. Go on...I'm watching

fitzroybowiedog · Aug 31, 2016

Lovely Work AB

Quadzilla · Aug 31, 2016

Good job Anty

Kennedy Parker · Sep 1, 2016

Awesome work Ant Bear, immense effort! :thumbsu:

miggs · Sep 22, 2016

outstanding

Ant Bear · Sep 22, 2016

miggs said:
outstanding

Cheers. It took me about 4 weeks, in between dropping 100-odd posts in the matchthreads, running the Fantasy Draft game and guiding the rookie convo.

miggs · Sep 22, 2016

Ant Bear said:
Cheers. It took me about 4 weeks, in between dropping 100-odd posts in the matchthreads, running the Fantasy Draft game and guiding the rookie convo.

your wife must love you

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