Bloodlines: The Story of the Sydney Swans, One Memory at a Time

What happens when talking about the Swans with your mates turns into thousands of people listening along?

David “Deebles” Baxter is one of the voices behind the True Bloods Podcast, one of the most established independent Sydney Swans fan podcasts and a familiar name across the wider Bloods supporter community.

Through countless episodes and content pieces, Deebles and the True Bloods team have created a place for supporters to celebrate the wins, dissect the losses, disagree with each other and ride the emotional rollercoaster of following the red and white together.

But this episode is about the supporter behind the microphone.

We go back to where Deebles’ own love of the Sydney Swans began, the people and experiences that shaped it, and the memories that have stuck with him through the years.

We also dive into the story of True Bloods, what it’s like putting yourself out there as a fan in the public eye, the community and relationships that have grown around the podcast, and what he’s learned from spending years talking footy with some of the most passionate Swans supporters around.

At its heart, this is the story of what can happen when you love a football club, find your people, and decide to pick up a microphone.

Note: This episode was recorded prior to the police investigation into the five banned Swans players. I've recorded an intro that speak to that at the start of the episode.

Can fandom actually be learned?

That's the question Sos and Odette set out to answer when they launched the Rookie in Red and White podcast.

One lifelong Sydney Swans tragic.

One complete AFL rookie.

Together, they've documented the journey from curiosity to genuine obsession, exploring what it is that makes people fall in love with the Bloods.

In this episode, we unpack where the idea for the podcast came from, whether becoming a passionate supporter is something that can actually be taught, and the rituals, traditions and moments that slowly transform someone from a casual observer into a rusted-on fan.

Along the way, we talk about the memories that have shaped Sos as a lifelong Swans supporter, the surprises Odette has discovered since entering the world of AFL, and why sharing the journey together has created something that resonates with supporters no matter how long they've been following the red and white.

Every football club has its gathering places.

For Sydney Swans supporters, some of the biggest conversations don't happen at the SCG. They happen online.

Matt Donnelly is one of the people helping keep those conversations alive, playing a key role in running some of the Sydney Swans' largest Facebook communities. Every day, he sees the passion, humour, heartbreak and occasional chaos that comes with bringing thousands of passionate supporters together in one place.

In this episode, Matt shares what it's really like managing those online communities, the friendships and challenges that come with it, and why supporter groups have become such an important part of the modern football experience.

Along the way, we dive into where Matt's love of the Swans began, the players and moments that have stayed with him, and why the people you meet through a football club often become just as important as the games themselves.

While most fans are finding their seats, the cheer squad is already hard at work, preparing the banners, setting the atmosphere and helping create the moments that players run towards before the first bounce.

In this episode, Maddi Anderson takes us behind the scenes of life in the cheer squad, sharing what it's really like to stand on the MCG on Grand Final day, hold up the banner in front of more than 100,000 people, and play a small but unforgettable role in some of the biggest moments in Swans history.

We also explore the story behind Sisters of the South, the female-inclusive supporter group helping bring Sydney Swans fans together in Melbourne, and the friendships, traditions and sense of belonging that have grown from following the red and white.

Along the way, Maddi reflects on the memories that have shaped her journey as a Swans supporter and why, for so many people, supporting a football club becomes about far more than what happens on the field.

Polly Porridge never expected supporting the Sydney Swans would lead here.

What started as a love for the red and white has become something much bigger: a place in the True Bloods team, a voice in the Swans supporter community, and a role in helping tell the story of the club’s AFLW journey.

In this episode, Polly shares where her love of the Swans began, the moments and people that shaped her connection to the club, and what it means to now be part of the media landscape around the team she grew up loving.

We also explore the growth of AFLW, the importance of giving women’s football the attention it deserves, and the gratitude Polly feels for the friendships, opportunities and community that have come from being part of True Bloods.

This is a conversation about finding your people, using your voice, and what can happen when supporting a football club opens doors you never saw coming.

Oh man, this one was special.

Sometimes football stories aren’t really about football.

Tyson Hunter is a founder of Apparition Media: The artistic and creative force behind the now-iconic Adam Goodes mural on the corner of Crown Street in Surry Hills, Sydney.

It is a powerful tribute to one of the most important figures in Sydney Swans history and Australian sport.

What makes Tyson’s story interesting is that he’s not a lifelong Swans supporter. Yet somehow, he found himself creating one of the most emotionally significant pieces of public art connected to the club.

In this episode, Tyson shares how the mural came to life, what Adam Goodes represented to him beyond football, and why storytelling through art can sometimes say more than words ever could.

We talk creativity, meaning, identity, and the strange ways football clubs leave their mark on people, and (evidently) on actual walls.

You can learn more about Apparition Media at https://www.apparitionmedia.com.au/

And follow their work on Insta right here.

For a long time, being a Sydney Swans fan meant the same thing. You watched the game, yelled at the TV, argued with mates and carried the emotional scars into Monday morning.

Not anymore.

Jev, one of the voices behind 100K Sports and a passionate Sydney Swans supporter, represents a new generation of fan culture. One built on podcasts, player interviews, wild reactions, group chats, social media and the strange reality of living every moment of footy online.

And of course, his passion for that world is just as high as his passion for the red and white too.

In this episode, we unpack what it means to follow the Swans in the modern era, why younger fans experience the game differently, and how the modern media landscape fights to keep every scrap of the attention's audience daily.

Zane Rednwhite has become one of the most recognisable supporter voices in the Sydney Swans online world.

Through plenty of passion, a touch of satire and raw fan emotion, Zane has built a loyal following of Bloods supporters who tune in not for polished media takes, but for the authentic rollercoaster that comes with loving a football club too much.

In this episode, we explore the rise of fan-created Swans media, Zane's most cherished memories as a Swans fan, and why clubs like Sydney become stitched into people’s identities far beyond the final siren.

We talk heartbreak, group chats, online communities and the strange emotional bond that forms between strangers wearing the same colours.

... Plus it comes with a fancy new Bloodlines intro! 🔴⚪️

When GWS entered the AFL in 2012, the Sydney Swans were no longer the only team in town.

Darcy Carnahan has lived that shift from the inside. Now Commercial Sales Manager at the GWS Giants, he’s been part of the club’s growth from its early days, working across membership, ticketing and commercial as the Giants carved out their place in a Swans-dominated city.

In this episode, Darcy gives a rare perspective on the Sydney Derby from the other side. What it was like building a club from scratch. How rivalries are created, not inherited. And what it means to go head-to-head with an established powerhouse that already owns the city’s history.

We talk about the evolution of the Battle of the Bridge, the moments that have defined it, and how two clubs sharing one city have pushed each other to become something bigger.

David Lennon takes footy too seriously, or not seriously at all... we haven't quite decided yet.

But one thing's for sure: his love for the Sydney Swans is as real as it gets.

Originally from Perth, deep in enemy Eagles territory, David found his way to the red and white and hasn’t looked back. What started as fandom has turned into something creative, with his now-famous Swommentary series capturing the chaos, emotion and absurdity of watching the Swans in real time.

In this episode, we dive into the rise of fan content in the modern game, how humour and satire have become part of the football experience, and why sometimes the best way to understand a match is in the moments straight after the siren.

We also explore the role of family, friends and shared rituals in following the Swans, and how bringing others along for the ride makes the highs higher and the lows just a little bit easier to laugh about.

This is a conversation about humour, fandom and finding your own voice in the red and white.

Follow David's Swans content @davidalennon

Follow Chat On Tap @chatontap

Most fans experience the Sydney Swans from the stands.

Anita Murphy has spent two decades making sure that experience actually works.

From ticketing systems to membership support to matchday operations, Anita has been part of the engine room that keeps the club moving. The part most supporters never see, but feel every single week.

In this episode, we move beyond the systems and into the passion.

Anita shares what it’s really like on grand final day, the build-up, the pressure and the emotion that comes with it. We talk about what it means to dedicate your career to one club, and the responsibility of supporting a supporter base that stretches from South Melbourne to Sydney, a legion of fans who live and breathe the red and white.

We also explore what nearly 20 years inside one organisation teaches you about loyalty, change and culture, and why the Swans have managed to build something that keeps people coming back year after year.

Most fans experience the Sydney Swans for three hours on a Saturday afternoon. Amanda Thompson lives the part of the club that exists the other 364 days of the year.

As Head of the Sydney Swans Foundation, Amanda sits at the centre of the club’s long-term mission. From funding the QBE Sydney Swans Academy to driving community programs across New South Wales, the Foundation helps shape the future of the club long before players ever run out onto the SCG.

In this episode we unpack how the Foundation actually works, where the funding comes from, how young athletes are supported, and why so many supporters choose to give back to the club that has given them so much.

And ultimately, we explore the people, programs and purpose helping carry the red and white into the next generation.

This is the story of the Swans beyond the scoreboard.

The most entertaining chat this side of the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Felix von Hofe has experienced elite sport at the highest level, but at heart, he’s a Swans fan first.

In this episode, Felix opens up about his lifelong love for the Sydney Swans, the way his whole family comes together around the red and white, and the players who shaped his childhood growing up.

From the stands to the living room, we explore the rituals, the memories and the moments that made the Swans part of his identity.

We also dive into the differences between the AFL and NBL from a fan experience perspective, how the atmosphere shifts between codes, and what football does differently when it comes to culture and connection.

Some people don’t just follow a football club, they become part of its fabric.

Diane Harapin Williams is the daughter of Kenny Williams, a man every Sydney Swans supporter remembers as a true legend of the club.

Alongside her mother Yvonne, Diane joins us to share what it was like growing up in a family where the Swans were not just followed, but lived.

We talk about Kenny’s lifelong devotion to the red and white, the players who passed through their home, the friendships that lasted decades, and the quiet acts of care that made him such a beloved figure behind the scenes.

Through Diane and Yvonne's memories, we see the club through the eyes of family, not fans.

This is a conversation about love, service, and the kind of legacy that's measured in something greater than the scoreboard.

John Prentice is a true gentleman and a kind soul.

Maybe that's why he's one of the many people who help sustain a football club long after the siren sounds.

A member of the "Bloodliners Coterie", John supports the team through the Sydney Swans Foundation, backing the club beyond match-day and into its future.

In this episode, he shares what it means to be part of that inner circle, why he chose to support the club at that level, and how his relationship with the Swans has evolved over time.

We talk about loyalty, long-term belief, and the quieter side of football fandom. The part that doesn’t always show up on the scoreboard, but matters deeply to the life of a club.

Having this platform to share his Swans story meant a lot to him - and we're honoured to have shared the microphone with the great man.

A quick note to wrap up season 1 of Bloodlines with your Host Darcy Smyth.

A massive thanks to everyone who's tuned in, to the guests who have offered their perspectives and stories, and to Leo Barry for changing the course of history in 2005.

We'll be back with more in February 2026 as the Swannies gear up for a premiership tilt in the season ahead.

Merry Christmas to you and your families, up the Bloods!

Tommy Flanagan brings personality, humour and passion to the Sydney Swans community in a way very few can.

Whether it’s through storytelling, conversation or pure fan energy, he’s become a recognisable voice in the red and white universe.

In this episode, Tommy shares how his love for the Swans turned into content, connection and community.

From his role in fan media to his time on the True Bloods podcast, he reflects on how sharing football isn’t just about the game, but the culture, the memories and the emotion that lives around it.

We dig into the moments that cemented his loyalty, the characters and stories he’s collected along the way, and what it feels like to be part of a fan-driven movement that gives supporters a voice of their own.

Michelle Cooling doesn’t just manage social media for the Sydney Swans. She shapes the way the club speaks, appears, and connects with the world.

In this episode, Michelle takes us behind the scenes of modern football storytelling. From the pressure of matchday communications to the strategy behind viral moments, she explains how a football club now lives across screens as much as it does on grass.

We talk about her journey through sports media, what it’s like operating inside an elite football organisation, and how you earn trust in a place where history, emotion and performance collide every week.

This is a conversation about influence, storytelling, and what it really means to carry a club’s voice in the digital age.

What happens when a club’s culture is so rich, so deeply ingrained, it becomes a story worth telling in its own right?

Hugh Humphreys is the co-founder of Hustle Media and the creative force behind Young Bloods,a groundbreaking 28-part TikTok docuseries that follows eight Sydney Swans Academy athletes on their journey through the club’s fabled Bloods culture.

With behind-the-scenes access, self-shot player footage, and a production style built for the digital age, Hugh and his team captured the spark of tomorrow through the weight of 150 years of legacy.

In this episode, we explore how Young Bloods came to life, the role of the Sydney Swans in shaping its tone and soul, and the challenges of storytelling in fast, scrollable formats without losing depth.

From the creative decisions behind the lens to the emotional beats that connect past and future, this is a conversation about sport, storytelling, and the potential of youth in the world of AFL football.

You can watch the entire 'Young Bloods' series here.

You can check out Hustle Media here.

Lachlan McKirdy has become one of the most distinctive emerging voices in Australian sports media. Sharp, grounded, and unashamedly red and white at heart.

In this episode, Lachlan shares the story behind his rise in journalism, his experience covering AFL in a rugby-leaning state, and the memorable moments that made his connection to the Sydney Swans something deeper than professional. From press boxes to packed stands, he reflects on what it means to live inside the world of both 'supporter' and 'observer' at the same time.

We explore the unique storytelling power of sport, the connection between media and fandom, and what it really means to follow a club that wears its culture on its sleeve.

Lachlan is the ideal guest to tell the Bloods story from both sides of the coin. It's a conversation filled with insight, warmth, and the deep resonance of Swans DNA.

Joel Brown’s story is unlike any you’ve heard on Bloodlines so far.

A lifelong Swans fan alongside his sister Krystal, Joel was front and centre during one of the most iconic moments in AFL history: Buddy Franklin’s 1000th goal.

While most were caught up in the chaos and celebration, Joel and Krystal were there to fulfil a family promise. Carrying a photo and the ashes of their beloved Nan, Edna Dixon, they made their way to the centre of the SCG to honour her wish of becoming part of the place she loved most.

What followed was a moment that blended footy history with deeply personal meaning - spontaneous, heartfelt and unforgettable. This is a story about family, fandom, and the powerful ways the Bloods culture can connect us to those who came before.

Matt Gray, better known as Mitzy, is as good a storyteller for the red and white as you will ever come across.

In this episode, we go on a journey through his lifelong obsession with the Sydney Swans. Mitzy doesn’t just follow the club. He breathes it, dreams it, and remembers it with a clarity that borders on magic.

He’s one of those rare fans who stores every game, every moment, and every heartbreak deep in his memory. From obscure home-and-away games in the mid-90s to the ecstasy of the modern era, Mitzy brings the Swans’ story to life in a way few others can. His love for the red and white is as emotional as it is encyclopedic.

We cover everything from his journeys on overnight trains to get to special games, to the friendships built with players, to the moments that hit so hard they changed him.

And just as a cheeky sidenote, yes, Mitzy was in the rooms after the 2005 Grand Final win. That’s who we’re dealing with.

If you’ve ever loved the Sydney Swans with your whole heart, this one will feel like home.

Before the SCG Museum existed, someone had to bring it to life. That someone was Joe Moore.

A passionate Swans fan and gifted writer, Joe spent the better part of two years researching and authoring over 200 biographies for the club's most influential figures, from Hall of Famers to presidents to premiership legends. Along the way, he conducted more than 100 interviews and penned over 250,000 words capturing the club’s 150-year legacy.

In this episode, we talk about Joe’s writing process, what he learned from digging through the club’s archives, and how his relationship with the red and white has evolved across eras, heartbreaks and triumphs.

You can check out Joe's work at https://www.joemoorewriter.com/ or connect with him professionally over on his LinkedIn

Barnaby Howarth's story exemplifies Bloods culture as much as anyone that's ever played for the club.

He was drafted onto the rookie list at the Sydney Swans as a young man, despite being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at just 14 years old.

He played in the Swans system during the late nineties and early 2000s.

At the age of 25, Barnaby survived a life-altering stroke. Rather than letting that define him, he came back to community football, eventually reaching his 100th senior game and being inducted into the Sydney AFL Hall of Fame.

Since then, he’s become a keynote speaker, a documentary storyteller, and the host of Everyday Greatness -a platform dedicated to the unsung heroes of everyday life.

He’s an ambassador for diabetes, stroke and cancer foundations, and one of the most grounded, human voices you’ll find when it comes to resilience, self-awareness and what really matters.

From the SCG to the speaking stage, Barnaby has carved a legacy that goes beyond footy. This is a conversation about resilience, identity, and what it really means to wear the red and white - both on the field and off it.

Want to learn more about Barnaby's story? Head to:

https://barnabyhowarth.com.au/