Who needs Lance “Buddy” Franklin when you’ve got Jeremy Cameron and Jonathon Patton?
That is the question that is currently being asked by AFL fans around the country after the GWS Giants ruined Buddy’s Sydney Swans debut with a famous 33-point victory over the big brother, marking a lot of firsts for the club.
It was the first time that the Giants had not only won a Round 1 match, but they also defeated their older brothers for the first time in a premiership match, following an unofficial victory during last year’s pre-season.
Also of interesting note was that last year it took the Giants until Round 19 (when they defeated Melbourne for their only win last season) to win a match, this year it took them only one round.
The fifth instalment of the so-called “Battle of the Bridge” had the potential to be the biggest in its short history, despite the four previous derbies having ended in blowout victories to the Sydney Swans, the most recent of which was a 129-point victory at the SCG in Round 16 last year.
Buddy Franklin’s decision to join the Swans, rather than the Giants, was one of the biggest stories of the off-season and it came shortly after he featured in Hawthorn’s second premiership team, capping off a season of uncertainty regarding his future.
There was also talk of a shootout between him and the Giants’ All-Australian full-forward, Jeremy Cameron, who came very close to claiming the Coleman Medal in what was only his second season in the AFL.
The Shaw brothers were to oppose each other (not directly) with neither representing Collingwood for the very first time, while Shane Mumford and Jed Lamb were to be opposed to the club that sent them west after their rather controversial acquisition of Franklin.
The derby was also to mark the official coaching debut of Leon Cameron, who served as an assistant to Kevin Sheedy last season before officially taking the reins this season.
In the end, Buddy’s Swans debut ended in barely a whimper, as he kicked only one major and was booed and heckled by the pro-Giants crowd almost every time he touched the ball, their displeasure being felt as he put a shot out on the full and missed another shot at goal in the second and final quarters respectively.
Cameron, by contrast, booted four majors and comeback kid Jonathan Patton kicked three as he showed Giants fans just exactly what they missed after he suffered an ACL injury against St Kilda in Round 3 last year.
I attended the match and must I say, I was impressed with the overall performance of both clubs, as for the first time in their rivalry there was a very close and physical match and the Giants stayed with the more-experienced and successful Swans for most of the match, their persistence ultimately being rewarded with a six-goal final quarter.
The match was not without its drama, as a massive rainstorm struck nearing the end of the first quarter; the conditions resulting in the match being delayed by almost half an hour and leaving fans waiting as to if the match would ever resume.
For some, memories of the infamous match between Essendon and St Kilda at Waverley Park which was blacked out in 1996 were revived, but eventually the match resumed and such was the delay that it forced the commencement of the Gold Coast versus Richmond match to be delayed by almost half an hour so as to avoid a televising clash.
After the resumption, the match remained close and by three-quarter-time, the Swans’ lead was only three points. A bit unusual given they had dominated the last four Derbies by an average of 79 points.
At this stage of a match, the Swans’ experience would tell while the Giants’ notorious final-quarter fadeouts, which prevented them from winning many matches in 2013, would come back to haunt them.
But in an extraordinary final quarter, the roles were reversed as the Giants kicked an astonishing six goals to none to record what is arguably its most famous victory in the AFL in front of a record Spotless Stadium crowd of 17,102.
In the minutes leading to the final siren, when the Giants enjoyed that six-goal patch, the crowd roared and once that moment came, the experience was almost deafening, even to the point where I almost lost my voice!
As already mentioned, it marked the first time that the Giants had won a Round 1 match or defeated their older brothers, and it also marked Sydney’s heaviest defeat in a Round 1 match since 2006.
Fans of both clubs should remember that it’s only Round 1 and anything could happen between now and the end of the season.
The Swans will be disappointed about the result but there are still 21 matches for them to display their true premiership credentials, after a raft of injuries culminated in the loss of their premiership defence at the hands of Fremantle in last year’s preliminary final.
Likewise, there are 21 matches remaining for the Giants to win as many of them as they possibly can.
The Giants will have the advantage of a week’s break when they face St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on March 29 – the Saints face Melbourne in the second half of Round 1 next week.
They will also have the bonus of having defeated them in a pre-season match in Wagga Wagga recently.
Following that, the Giants return home to oppose the Demons, the club they defeated for their only victory last season.
Realistically, the Giants could be 3-0 after three rounds, equalling their win tally from their first two seasons combined. It will be unheard of, but given this will be their third year in the AFL, improvement will be expected from Leon Cameron’s men this season.
Last season saw the Gold Coast Suns record eight victories in their third season, and this is what will serve as the inspiration for the Giants to finally raise their game up to AFL standard.
The Swans, on the other hand, will face another under-siege team in Collingwood also in a fortnight’s time; the Pies are coming off a 70-point thrashing at the hands of Fremantle, whose intent on going one better after losing to Hawthorn in last year’s grand final is well on track.
John Longmire’s men could face being 0-2 after two rounds, given they have not beaten Collingwood in a regular season match at ANZ Stadium since 2005 (the 2012 preliminary final does not count).
But you would think that the Swans should bounce back from the disappointing result next round, as many have predicted that the Pies will suffer a decline this season after eight consecutive finals series.
For now, though, all the talk will be about Greater Western Sydney’s historic win, the culmination of a strong pre-season and a long off-season of hard work and smart decision making at the AFL Draft.
Who’s in your ultimate team? Pick the best team and compete with other fans for daily prizes on Draftstars. For the best odds on the game try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place? Set a deposit limit.
The Giants coach was not a happy man!
What a chase from Kieren Briggs!
Callum Brown is looking at a big suspension after concussion Tom McCartin with a heavy bump.
Last, year in the second showdown, Adelaide destroyed Port by 47 points with a staggering 20 marks inside 50 with Tex Walker the main star.
There’s no disputing that Cam Guthrie will be important against Melbourne, given Patrick Dangerfield is set to miss due to injury.
Collingwood led by a point with minutes to go, Kyle Langford had the chance to be the hero with a set shot, however, he missed, and we saw the first draw of the season.
