The Art and Dedication Behind Sydney Swans Banners

They say it takes a village to raise a child. In the realm of the Sydney Swans, it takes a devoted group of fans to craft the pre-game banners. On Thursday afternoon, within the confines of the Sydney Cricket Ground, a small group spent four hours constructing a banner through which Dane Rampe will lead the Swans during their preliminary final against Port Adelaide, marking his 250th game.

The laborious task of spending four hours on a banner that will be showcased for a mere ten seconds might seem daunting, yet for Liz Whiffin, who has journeyed from the Central Coast since 2018 to participate in banner crafting, it is a source of immense passion and pride. “Banner making is just a part of being in the cheer squad and part of the culture in the AFL,” she expressed.

Joining the Swans cheer squad, Whiffin embraced a tradition deeply entrenched in AFL fan culture. The Swans squad has also passed on these skills, as she notes, “We taught GWS how to make their banners as well, and now they’re doing it slightly differently.”

This tradition dates back to the 1930s when players would run through a tunnel from the changing rooms, and supporters decorated the “race” with streamers. Larger banners became more prevalent in the 1970s and have since become a staple of AFL culture.

Whiffin highlights the challenges in crafting a banner, mentioning that the structure often depends on weather conditions. Referring to Collingwood‘s 2018 grand final where the banner collapsed prior to the players’ entrance, she states that such failures help ensure future successes. “We have to be careful where we put the sticky tape,” she remarks, recalling past mishaps.

Fans now anticipate banners for their home games as they signify a team’s tribute from its adherents. “It’s a tradition,” Whiffin says. “When there’s no banner, people wonder, ‘where’s the banner?’ or assume ‘they’re too slack to have a banner.’” Cheering squads even share their creations on social media platforms.

In essence, these banners symbolize the unwavering dedication and love enthusiasts have towards their teams. “It’s a community,” Whiffin concludes. “We’re like a little Swans family.”