Sydney Swans member claims his wife was banned from Hawthorn match at SCG due to a single rip in her jeans

A Sydney Swans member claims his six-year-old son was left in tears after his family were ruled out of the club’s victory over Hawthorn on Sunday afternoon because his wife had a single rip in her jeans.

While the Swans gave an unlucky Hawthorn side an 81-run thrashing, Brenden Fing, his wife and two children were left standing outside the SCG because they were not allowed into the members’ stands.

Fing took to social media to write about his family’s pre-match experience, with many fellow supporters expressing anger at the situation.

‘The whole family is a paid member of the Sydney Swans. We were refused at the gate today because my wife’s jeans had a single rip,” he wrote.

“Hundreds of dollars a year, in memberships and merchandise, and we were made to feel like second-class citizens being turned away at the door.”

The dress code at the SCG member sanctuary is notoriously strict, with one fan commenting on Fing’s post about his plight that they’re “stuck in the 1940s.”

According to the SCG’s website, the rules are there because “our members and their guests contribute to this atmosphere by adhering to our dress code.”

The site says anyone wishing to see events from the historic members’ pavilion is “expected to dress to a standard consistent with the dignity and traditions of the building.”

Torn or ripped clothing is prohibited, along with flip flops and sportswear, with access at the discretion of event day staff and security teams – the latter obviously becoming a problem with a disappointed Fing.

He claimed his family’s treatment ended with his six-year-old son, who attended his first Swans game, in tears.

“Look how our day started and ended with my six-year-old in tears, now unable to watch his first AFL game,” Fing wrote.

“Understand the rules, but being polite and maybe warning is better than turning down a family with a four-month-old baby in the heat, right?”

“My wife is also quite scared at the moment, was also her first game. Not the best experience.

“Steward absolutely needs to be aware of the rules instead of trying to rip us off completely.”

The experience of the self-described sports tragedy shocked some fellow footy fans, who blasted the Swans and SCG staff.

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

‘I’m really sorry to hear this! I know from my own experience how rude and horrible (and often unfair) some of the SCG staff can be, especially around the members,” said another.

Some were also disappointed that in 2023 such a strict and old-fashioned dress code is still in force.

“Ridiculous old-fashioned bulls**t among the SCG members,” one said, while another wrote, “It’s a game of footy, not a meeting with royalty. I thought dress codes died of natural causes years ago.”

“Mate (they’re) still in their thirties, some of these people wonder why they (fans) didn’t turn down because they didn’t have a jacket or a tie,” one fan commented, while another said they were annoyed that the SCG does not keep up with current fashion trends.

“This is what irritates (me) about these places, ripped jeans are fashion and some of them probably cost more than the suits some members wear.”

One of them suggested it wasn’t something that would happen at a Brisbane Lions game: “You could get into a box at the Gabba with that pigsty of peanuts filth cloud around you.”

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

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

According to the SCG dress code, ‘limited reserved seat upgrades to non-dress code areas of the SCG may be purchased from the Sydney Swans membership support office’.

Fing said he was informed on 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 that they could have done that [upgraded his seats]if we went to the member support booth – which we were not aware of at the time,” he wrote.

“If you’d heard the flight attendant address us, you’d understand why my wife just wanted to leave.”

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

‘Swans customer service called within 30 minutes of my posting. Very apologetic and professional in handling our experience and offering options to make amends for what happened,” he said.

‘Good customer service goes a long way.’

It was a shame the Swans fans missed out on such a great win, with five goals from breakaway star Logan McDonald and four from promising striker Joel Amartey ensuring Lance Franklin’s absence didn’t hinder last year’s Grand Finalists year.

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

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 football and even went to the chambers after the game to take pictures with several Swans stars.

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