It, being one of the most extraordinary runs of longevity two clubs have ever had in the AFL’s modern era, with continued success that stretches back to the front end of the millennium.This Sunday’s blockbuster meeting at the SCG between the top-of-the-table Swans and third-placed Cats almost serves as a match of celebration for two clubs who have mixed it with the best year in, year out across two decades without succumbing to the dreaded rebuild.
Given each side’s incredible finals record for two decades now, it’s actually somewhat surprising they haven’t played each other more. As for their respected rivals the Swans, their success has been arguably more consistent over a longer period – just without as many ultimate successes. All of Cook, Costa and Wells were ingrained in the club for a significant amount of time, with Wells still working at the club after 40 years.
And at Sydney, their recruiting through the draft has been particularly impressive – with almost every top pick in the last decade delivering on their highly touted potential. Lance Franklin kicking his 1000th AFL goal against the Cats is just one of many iconic moments shared between the two sides since the turn of the century “The way things were run, how people conducted themselves in the media, on the field, off the field… Sydney was 100 per cent the group we looked up to.
“When I got to Geelong , our culture wasn’t a good one – it took a very special group to change that culture into what I believe is the best culture in the business. The commitment from Sydney’s core – both young and mature – is evident, with Blakey , captain Mills , Florent , Hayward , Gulden , Isaac Heeney , James Rowbottom and Tom Papley all on ultra-long-term deals for the foreseeable future.