By Coen Pearson

The bounce is portrayed with a squelch of ball on mud. The humidity makes sweat pour. The flys swarm the screaming fans at the fence. A distinctive thump, as a mud armoured ball is kicked down towards the goals. The fans whistle and hoot. But, then the distinctive boom boom of the drums and the harsh sound of the trumpets. This is footy at Swampy Stadium.

They say, that the best way to experience local footy in the FCFL is to visit the Swamp District. But it hasn’t always been this way. Back when the City Football League (CFL) combined with the much smaller Swamp football league (SFL), made up of the Snakes and the even smaller, Frogs. In the CFSL (City Swamp Football League), both teams played at Agapantha Arena. Agapantha Arena, (now Swampy Stadium, had no grandstands, no rooms, no flashy scoreboard, it was basically the flattest, less boggy area of the Swamp. But it did have a small space for small orchestra. This orchestra defined footy in the Swamp. Big drums, loud trumpet, violins, all after each home teams goal. It soon become a place City folk loved to play footy. Then, in 2023 it was proposed that the Frogs join the FCFL.

For the Frogs to join to become part of the FCFL, they had to compete with the likes of the new Sunset Stadium, and the famous Queen’s Palace Stadium. Agapantha Arena, needed an upgrade. So, in late 2023, Agapantha arena received a new grandstand, a flashy Radio 305 scoreboard and home and away change rooms. In 2024, the Frogs became the 9th FCFL club.

Matchday was a sight to behold. Fans from all over, had traveled to see the new Frogs team from the Swamp. They loved the food, the farms, and the and the pre-show by the Big Bog Band. Bounce of ball, the Frogs facing the newest club, the Echidnas. The Frogs demonstrated that day, that the Swamp district was serious about Footy. Unfortunately, the Echidnas where more demonstrating they where a team not to be respected, after the Frogs finished the season with 2 wins, 1 draw and 7 losses.

Now, ahead of the District of Origin Tour match between the Swamp and their neighbours in the Bushland, they really have to prove that they’re game.