The Sydney Swans kicked off their 2025 AFL season with high hopes, but the anticipation was tinged with personal and team nuances. Among the standout performances of Round 1 was James Jordon, the lone Swan to shine bright under the coaches' votes after his efficient tagging of Brisbane Lions' Lachie Neale.
Jordon’s significant contributions included four votes from coaches, attributed to his ability to keep the two-time Brownlow medallist at bay, limiting Neale to just ten touches and two clearances during the match. Meanwhile, Jordon himself accumulated 19 disposals and seven tackles, proving his worth as a dynamic midfielder. "The ability to get James to go to someone, whether it's during a game or whether we start with it, it's a great thing to have," praised Swans' senior coach Dean Cox, highlighting Jordon’s importance to the team's defensive strategy.
Jordon joined the Swans on the opening day of the 2023 AFL Free Agency period and made his debut during the 2024 season opener - his rise coinciding with momentous changes within the club. This season, he is anticipated to reach his 100th career match, marking yet another milestone in his burgeoning career.
Despite Jordon’s acclaim, the author reflected on their own connection to the team—once passionately invested as a 20-year member but now distanced due to concerns about various league practices, including handling of head injuries, treatment of First Nations players, and the influence of gambling. The summer proved to be one of recalibration, especially after the author’s child left for overseas adventures, leading to some disconnection from the frantic pace of the AFL.
From springtime fixtures to the November matchup between Hawthorn and Sydney, the passion and history intertwined with personal narratives were palpable. The significant cultural weight of these moments is often fragmented by individual life changes. The author nostalgically recalls their 20-year commitment to the Swans, commenting on the spiral of personal investment and the broader dynamics of the sport.
On February 17, just before the Round 0 kickoff, colleague Marty excitedly informed the author, "13 premiership cups are on their way to Sydney!" This news underscored the ambition of the team, relational tides currently shaping allegiances and experiences among fans. With Marty and other colleagues proudly displaying their Swans merchandise, the author felt the undercurrent of camaraderie and rivalry grow stronger.
Yet, with all the familial and workplace support for the Swans, the author’s participation felt different. On the day of the opening match against Hawthorn, halfway through the commute, they caught glimpses of the game on the radio, but the routine was overshadowed by another life event. They chose the thrill of music at the Opera House instead, finding solace inertia at the symphony, which stood juxtaposed to the intense scenes of the game. It felt momentarily irrelevant, much like the rituals associated with AFL fandom.
Despite feeling disconnected, the urge to return to the game pulsed beneath the surface. When communication with Flynny about the match experience struck, the author initially hesitated but could not ignore the swell of emotions. Mornings would begin with the echoes of admiration for Jordon’s contributions and mixed feelings as the season commenced without the previous fervor tied to being, actively, part of the Swans membership.
This season, the lofty expectations came alongside the realities of the sport—partials likes and dislikes were stirred. With every collegial cheer and the excitement of team victories like the narrow win Jupiter delivered against the Lions, the author found themselves questioning the very essence of belonging to the Swans. Discovering what 'going again' might feel like ambiguously hung over them: Would they still be able to cheer when lack of direct investment dulled the emotional edge?
It's no secret how deeply personal relationships with sports teams run; for many, they are woven intricately with identity, loyalty, and the rhythms of joy or disappointment. While Jordon tackles opponents on the field, the author tackles their own internal tussles—adrift between nostalgia, loyalty, and the ever-present change. The opening of this new AFL season reveals not just the rise of players like Jordon but also unravels complex webs of fan loyalty, personal growth, and the unyielding spirit of the sport.
