TIM Hanlen is this week’s Member of the Week. Tim has been a member for more than 20 years and judging by his responses there will be many more to come. Here is what he had to say…

When did you first join the Sydney Swans and what membership did you hold in 2010?
I joined in 1988, as I think my 11-game membership only cost $7! In 2010 I held a Full Blooded 11 Game Adult Silver Membership.

What do you like most about being a member?
Without a doubt it’s the feeling that you are part of a team. When you pay up your membership each season you're making an investment in the team's success and doing your bit to help them achieve the ultimate aim of winning a Premiership. And you don't just pay your Membership and that's it for the year - eleven great games a year, events for fans to attend through the year (the pre-season fan day was excellent!!), plus the Club keeps you involved and updated with the weekly emails and the quarterly magazine. I also have two young boys (including one who just finished his first season of AusKick), and the Swans, along with the AFL, do more than any other sport to encourage kids, be it through participation or just by becoming supporters.        

What is your all-time favourite Swans moment? What made it so special?           
You can't go past 2005 - it was the culmination of a dream that began when I first starting going to Swans games in the late-80's. Robbed blind against West Coast in Perth, "those" four final quarter goals from Nick Davis against Geelong, 15 minutes of brilliance vs. St Kilda and then of course September 24. Winning a flag is the ultimate for any club and its supporters, and I was always knew that if I saw the Swans win just the one Premiership I'd die a happy man. I could probably recite the final 60 seconds of commentary from the Grand Final - I've heard and seen it that many times - I still get goose bumps watching the end of the Geelong game. Thank you Nick Davis!!!!

What was your favourite moment in 2010? Describe why it was so good.
Without a doubt the final against Carlton - what a mix of emotions!! After starting like a house on fire and then looking gone for all money, the team really won a game they had no right to win just through sheer perseverance and putting their bodies on the line. The play of the year had to be Trent Dennis-Lane's tackle and resultant goal - just inspirational. It was made even more special because it was my five year old son Anthony's first Swans final, and it was on Father's Day! 

Who is your favourite Swans player and why are they your favourite?
I would have to go with Paul Kelly. He was never the most skilful player, but what he lacked there he more than made up for with sheer determination and a never-say-die attitude. I can remember watching this skinny kid go around in 1990 without even thinking he would be a regular in the seniors, let alone becoming one of the Club's greatest ever players. His ability to bust packs, and stamp his name on a contest was unbelievable, and you always knew the team was still a chance while he was on the ground. He made the impossible possible, and showed that if you wanted something bad enough, anything was achievable  

Where do you sit at the SCG/ANZ Stadium? Why do you love these seats?  
At both grounds I sit opposite the centre circle at ground level. I love being close to the action, and being around the half way mark means I'm not too far away from either set of goals.        

What do you like most about coming to Swans matches?
To me AFL is the greatest game in the world, and I cannot think of anything better than spending a couple of hours watching my favourite team compete in front of me. One of the things that Swans fans do better than any other supporters is wearing the team colours, and just watching everyone decked out in Red & White on the way to, and in the ground makes me proud to be one of them. The Swans also have their fair share of close games, so you know that most of the games you attend will be nail-biting.      

Any final words for the team?
Just keep doing what you're doing. The Bloods stand by the greatest philosophy in sport, and that is a champion team will always beat a team of champions. We've never had a team full of Brownlow medallists and All-Australians, but they stand by, and stand up for, each other every single week. When you go to a Swans game, they might lose on the scoreboard, but they are very rarely beaten, and you know they will put in 110% all the time.