Swans stars rallied behind their number-one fan following news of her tragic loss this week.
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Just hours after Heather Tilden woke to her beloved Sydney team-themed Commodore destroyed by fire, she was told her sister had died.
“What else could go wrong,” she said.
Yet despite the heartbreak, Mrs Tilden found a reason to smile on Wednesday when she picked up the phone to hear the voice of star-player Harry Cunningham.
“Sydney Swans are in my blood – they’re like my family,” Mrs Tilden said.
“It’s so beautiful.
“I’ve just got the biggest smile on my face.
“I never thought anything like this would come from what happened.”
A Wagga local, Mr Cunningham said he was sad to hear the news about the iconic red V8, a familiar sight in his hometown.
“Things like this are never good,” he said.
“I just tried to give the call a positive spin to cheer her up.”
In a show of support for their passionate fan, the Sydney Swans gifted Mrs Tilden a signed guernsey and two 2017 game tickets.
Overwhelmed, the mother of seven said she was grateful for the sympathy and compassion she had received from the team as well as members of the Wagga community, her family, fellow supporters, and friends.