Saving South

This is a student project I made a decade ago covering the tumultuous period for the club when South Melbourne were battling to survive before eventually moving north to become the Sydney Swans.
Whilst the production value of it makes me utterly cringe today, it features many interviews with respected and well known South Melbourne/Sydney Swans players and officials from years gone by such as Peter Bedford, Bob Skilton, Tony Morwood, Barry Round, John Rantall, Rick Quade and more.
This project also meant a lot to me as it has always been a great source of pride for my Dad, who was a lifelong South Melbourne/Sydney supporter.

[@shazzdaley4159]

Thank you so much for sharing this video. I was very much a part of South Melbourne in those days. It was heartbreaking to lose our club to Sydney and I remember those times so vividly. The pain, the broken friendships and the many tears as a result. You would hear so many stories over the developments during the upheaval. It was so sad for so many. We tried so hard to keep our club. My Godfather was very much a part of trying to Keep South at South. Unfortunately the move was inevitable irrespective of us winning the vote. We were never going to be able to stay in South. The VFL had already made plans for our move a good couple of years before the move as I remember conversations at those times. Most of us have moved on and adjusted and have enjoyed the continuing existence of the club as Sydney Swans. We have enjoyed the elation watching two Premierships that were once the unattainable dream and watching our club become one of the most respected, admired and successful sporting organizations in the country. LONG LIVE AND GO THE MIGHTY BLOODS!!

[@wellingtonsboots4074]

It's weird how this has appeared in my KZbin recommendations these last few days. I am a proud supporter of Sydney, I love the club, however these memories still hurt. So much of my life growing up was at the lakeside oval. But they were bleak times. In hindsight the move may have been right, but it tore the heart out of so many.

[@jackhudson2237]

It was a great move considering the Swans survived and carried on their proud history. Can't say the same about Fitzroy, that merger with the Bears was the death of both football clubs clearly because the new Brisbane Lions didn't carry on their 8 flags.

[@TomoBunyip]

As a kid growing up in Sydney for some reason I started to watch VFL matches on the TV and loved the game much to my father's disgust (a strong Rugby League fan). My dream was that Sydney would get its own side so when South Melbourne was moved to Sydney I thought it was fantastic. Of course I was totally unaware of how devastated the loyal South Melbourne fans were. I love the history of the club and so really feel for those supporters now. I think Sydney has done its best not to let the connection with the old South Melbourne club die and I believe that has helped some of the wounds heal. These days I live in Melbourne, which wasn't exactly my choice, but it is so good to head to the match on the train and see so many Swans supporters, particularly from Melbourne's inner suburbs.

[@johnholdsworth5531]

Couldn't agree more Paul. The arduous period in the club's history has helped create such a strong identity and ultimately galvanised both Melb and Sydney based supporters. It's always good to have such a strong level of support in Melbourne albeit for an 'away' game.

[@christopherharvie8716]

South were unlucky. The fact of the matter is that due to their financial circumstances the AFL could have chosen any of about 8 of the 12 clubs for Sydney (Including Collingwood: who had to rattle the tins not long after this to stay afloat) Only basically buying two premierships under the 10 year rule (what can now be viewed as an early and disastrous attempt at free agency) a few year before, saved North from being the Sydney Kangaroos. South would be running around at Docklands after what would have likely been years out at Moorabin or Princess Park as co-tenants. Alternative history I know…

[@CarltonBluesFan9]

as a blues fan they should’ve said no to move, would love to see south play currently.

[@paulmcgrory5165]

Thank you for this. So moving to see and hear the South stalwarts. They might have moved the club but the couldnt kill the Bloods.

[@sentimentalbloke185]

Don't be hard on yourself, John. the production value of this video is quite good & it's an excellent document of what happened way back when.

[@stevemurrell6167]

This video deserves more love! 2nd comment in 8 years! As a life long Swans fan, I too did not want South to move to Sydney but I now think it was the best decision. Hindsight is a wonderful thing of course but I have no doubt that if KSAS had won, we would not have a club to support today and would have ended up merged with someone like North or the now defunct Fitzroy....instead of supporting what is now a power club that is the envy of many and a club that genuinely respects and honours it's entire history and is rightly proud of it's southern origins. Go Swans!

[@paulmcgrory5165]

Respectfully i dont agree Steve. The Aylett Channel 7 clique targeted South because they simply wanted a team in the Sydney market. But the Bloods are a club that the suits and the big end of town couldnt kill. I hope i live long enough to see North Melbourne relocated. There will be justice. Go the mighty Bloods.

[@iwx2672]

Walk past the old Lakeside oval and think of them and wonder if anyone else does!

[@gregoryjubbs7908]

Don't foeget.. JohnRantall & Bernie Evans (both interviewed here) both left the club to have some success .. there would not be a Swans team in th AFL of they hadn't come to Sydney .

[@robdowsing3361]

My grandfather played with Swans and I played 4 games after I was sacked at MFC way back in the late 60’s and unfortunately they had no money😂

[@FeminismDebunked]

Excellent show is there any footage of South Melbourne's last year Match?

[@tommyrees15]

Fantastic video I have been looking for a a video on the KSAS in 1981 for years.. very impressive footage Would love to see the full Mike Willesee coverage

[@sliat1981]

Was too young in 1981 to remember this. Sad what happened