Tonight’s AFL blockbuster between the Sydney Swans and Western Bulldogs will mark ten years of the club’s Pride Game.
Since 2016, the Swans have participated in a Pride Game, which for most of the last nine years has been against St Kilda.
This year, the Swans are taking on the Bulldogs after a decision was made to move the game in the wake of the Lance Collard tribunal.
Earlier in the year, Collard, a player for St Kilda, was penalised for using a homophobic slur and initially handed a nine-game suspension, which was challenged by St Kilda.
An appeals board subsequently reduced it to four matches in a decision criticised by the AFL.
Despite the move, the Swans are pleased to be putting on their rainbow guernseys when they take on the Bulldogs this evening for Round 17.
“It’s a great part of our yearly calendar and for everyone to feel safe and welcome at the footy, and anywhere,” said Swans senior coach Dean Cox.
“We have partnered for a long time with the Rainbow Swans, Twenty10 and Adora Fertility, so we are really excited to be part of that.”
The game will feature a variety of entertainment both before and after the game, as well as a half-time performance from Cat & Calmell.
Speaking at a launch event earlier this week, player James Rowbottom said the game was really important and he could see the impact it had for the community.
“It’s our 10th year this year, and I really think it’s quite minimal effort from a playing point of view to wear a rainbow jersey and come to events like this and to see the impact that it can have on the community,” he said.
“It’d be remiss of us not to do things like this, so I think it’s really important. We’ll obviously continue to do it for a long time.”
Sarina Jackson, chair of the Rainbow Swans, the LGBTQIA+ supporter network for the team, said she couldn’t wait for the game.
“Everybody’s welcome, we know that but it’s true, we actually are and this is so much about that,” she said.
“This is so important.”
Tickets are still available but selling fast for the game at the SCG.
Gates open at 5:30pm, with ball up at 7:40pm.
