Sydney Swans member claims wife was barred from Hawthorn game at SCG over a single rip in her jeans

A Sydney Swans member claims his six-year-old was left in tears after his family was barred from the club’s win over Hawthorn on Sunday afternoon because his wife had a single rip in her jeans. 

As the Swans were handing a hapless Hawthorn side an 81-point thrashing, Brenden Fing, his wife and two children were left standing outside the SCG because they’d been barred from entering the Members Stand. 

Fing took to social media to write of his family’s experience before the game, with many fellow supporters voicing their anger over the situation. 

‘Whole family are paid members for the Sydney Swans. We got rejected from entry at the gate today because my wife’s jeans have a single rip in them,’ he wrote. 

‘Hundreds of dollars annually, in memberships and merch, and we were made to feel second-class citizens being rejected at the door.’

Swans member Brendan Fing has shared his experience of the first home game of the season, claiming he and his family were barred entry because of a single rip in his wife’s jeans

Dress regulations at the SCG Members Reserve are notoriously strict, with one fan commenting on Fing’s post on his situation that they are ‘stuck in the 1940s’.

According to the SCG website, the regulations are in place because ‘our members and their guests contribute to this atmosphere by adhering to our dress code’. 

The site says anyone who wants to see events from the historic Members Pavilion is ‘expected to dress to a standard that is in keeping with the dignity and traditions of the building’.

Torn or ripped clothing is banned, along with thongs and sportswear, with entry at the discretion of event day staff and security teams – and the latter is clearly what became an issue with a disappointed Fing.

He claimed the treatment of his family ended with his six-year-old son, who was attending his first Swans game, in tears. 

Fing also shared this photo of his wife and two children, who were all set to attend their first Swans game

‘Have a look at how our day started, and has ended with my six-year-old in tears, who can’t watch his first afl game now,’ Fing wrote.

‘Understand the rules, but surely being polite about it and maybe giving a warning is better than rejecting a family with a four-month-old baby in the heat? 

‘My wife is pretty put off at the moment too, was her first game as well. Not the greatest experience. 

‘Steward should absolutely be aware of the rules instead of just completely palming us off.’ 

The self-described sports tragic’s experience appalled a number of fellow footy fans, who blasted the Swans and SCG staff. 

‘This is totally unacceptable from SCG, that staff member and the Swans. What a horrific experience for Brenden and his family. AFL memberships clearly mean nothing to SCG management. If it was me, I would never return. It’s a footy match, not a black tie ball!’ wrote veteran sports journalist Roy Ward.

‘I’m really sorry to hear this! I know from first hand experience how rude and awful (and often wrong) some of the staff at the SCG can be, particularly around the members,’ said another.

A number were also disappointed with the fact such a strict and old-fashioned dress code is still in place in 2023.

A Swans fan with earrings of Dylan Stephens and a stunning homemade Swans cap takes in the action against Hawthorn

37,052 fans packed in the SCG on Sunday afternoon for the first Swans home game of the season

‘Ridiculous antiquated bulls**t at the SCG Members,’ said one, with another writing ‘It’s a game of footy, not meeting royalty. I thought dress codes died a natural death years ago.’

‘Mate (they are) still in the 1930’s some of these people, wonder why they didn’t reject (fans) for not having a coat or tie,’ commented one fan, with another saying they were annoyed the SCG doesn’t keep up with current fashion trends.

‘This is what annoys (me) with these places, jeans with tears are fashion and some probably cost more than the suits some of the members wear.’

One suggested it was not something that would occur at a Brisbane Lions game:  ‘You could get into a box at the Gabba with that pig pen from peanuts filth cloud around you.’ 

Swans star Isaac Heeney celebrates a goal in the Swans 81-point thumping over Hawthorn

Another fan pointed out the fact that the regulations don’t apply if someone pays to upgrade their seat.

‘It’s laughable that the regulations are so ‘important’ but not so important if you’re willing to pay more money to upgrade to a reserved seat,’ they wrote.

According to the SCG dress regulations, ‘limited reserved seat upgrades into areas of the SCG without dress regulations may be available for purchase from the Sydney Swans membership support office’.

Fing said he was made aware of that point after his social media post gained traction. At last count it had been seen more than 53,000 times.

‘Swans called me after posting and explained they could have [upgraded his seats], if we made our way around to the membership support booth – which we were unaware of at the time,’ he wrote. 

‘If you’d heard how the steward spoke to us you’d understand why my wife just wanted to leave though.’

The Members Stand at the SCG, pictured during a 2017 cricket match, has a notoriously strict dress code

Will Hayward celebrates a goal with teammates during the Swans 81-point win

He then gave an update on the situation after the Swans contacted him directly. 

‘Swans customer support team called within 30 minutes of me posting. Extremely apologetic, and professional in their handling of our experience, and offering options to make up for what happened,’ he said.

‘Good customer service goes a long way.’ 

It was a shame the Swans fans had to miss such a thumping win, with five goals from breakout star Logan McDonald and four from promising forward Joel Amartey making sure the absence of Lance Franklin was no impediment to last year’s grand finalists. 

One fan who did make it into the stadium was Euphoria megastar Sydney Sweeney, who is in Australia filming a movie.

Euphoria actress Sydney Sweeney is currently filming her latest movie in Australia. And on Sunday, the 25-year-old took a well-deserved break to attend her first AFL game at the Sydney Cricket Ground with her actor pals Dermot Mulroney (middle) and Rachel Griffiths (right)

Sweeney poses for a photo with Hayden McLean in the locker room after the Swans win

Talented speedster Ollie Florent got his rig out for the camera during Sydney’s changeroom tour

Sydney and talented forward Errol Gulden gave a thumbs-up for the camera

Sweeney snapped a selfie with Justin McInerney in the rooms

The 25-year-old was at the SCG alongside actors Dermot Mulroney and Rachel Griffiths.

She took to social media to share her amazing day at the footy, and even headed down to the rooms after the game to take photos with several Swans stars. 

The American has been filming a yet-to-be-titled romantic comedy at locations all over Sydney, and been visiting popular tourist spots like Taronga Zoo and Luna Park, as well as sunbathing on yachts in the harbour.