Homecoming to ‘Lake Oval’ a silver lining in COVID relocation

The Sydney Swans were forced to flee New South Wales in early July as the COVID-19 outbreak put the harbour city into lockdown. But their unfortunate exit from NSW resulted in a homecoming of sorts for the team historically known as ‘the Bloods’. 

Having been the South Melbourne Football Club for the first 108 years of their history before moving to Sydney in 1982, the Swans played their home games at Melbourne Sports Centres – Lakeside (previously known as Lake Oval).

With an extended stay in Melbourne on the cards, the Swans were in need of a facility in a central location for their recovery and light ‘touch’ training sessions. What better opportunity for the Swans to ‘return home’ and use the world class soccer pitch and track at Lakeside for such sessions.

Usually, Lakeside is the training venue of choice for Victoria’s best track and field athletes and the home venue for the South Melbourne soccer club. But in early July it was Buddy Franklin, Isaac Heeney and co who were gracing the hallowed turf.

The sessions at Lakeside coincided with the Swans’ ‘Heritage Week’ which saw the team don a South Melbourne inspired heritage guernsey for away games in Melbourne. A ritual the team has committed to continuing for all away games for the rest of the season.

Sydney Swans Team of The Century Full Back, John Heriot presented young Swans’ star Errol Gulden with his guernsey on the turf at Lakeside whilst the pair chatted about the history of the venue. Heriot famously wore the number 21, which Gulden has inherited.