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Bloodlines: The Story of the Sydney Swans, One Memory at a Time
Bloodlines: The Story of the Sydney Swans, One Memory at a Time
Author: Darcy Smyth
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© Darcy Smyth
Description
Bloodlines is a podcast about more than football. It is a story-led series that captures the heart and culture of the Sydney Swans through personal conversations with the players, coaches, staff, fans and community members who shaped it.
Darcy Smyth is a lifelong Swans fan, business and leadership mentor, and storyteller. He believes great clubs are not built on moments, they are built on memory. This podcast is his way of helping preserve the ones that matter most for a club that means so much, to so many.
Darcy Smyth is a lifelong Swans fan, business and leadership mentor, and storyteller. He believes great clubs are not built on moments, they are built on memory. This podcast is his way of helping preserve the ones that matter most for a club that means so much, to so many.
25 Episodes
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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.
Swans fans who listen to True Bloods know the voice. They know the opinions. And they definitely know the banter.But who is Madison Clarke outside of the podcast so many know him for? And where did his love for the red and white begin?Mads is co-host of the True Bloods Podcast and one of the familiar personalities within the Sydney Swans supporter community.In this episode, we go back to where Mads’ connection with the red and white began, the people and moments that turned supporting the Swans into such an important part of his life, and the memories that still stand above the rest.We also dive into his journey with True Bloods, what being part of the podcast has given him beyond simply talking footy, and the friendships, experiences and sense of community that have come from putting himself behind a microphone and sharing his passion with other Swans supporters.And, as always, we get into the players, games, heartbreaks and unforgettable moments that make up Mads’ own Bloodline.A chance to get to know the supporter behind one of the voices Swans fans have become so familiar - and appreciative - of for years now.
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.




