Giants coach Kevin Sheedy and Israel Folau take the stage during the Greater Western Sydney unveiling of its club name and colours at the Sydney Showgrounds, Sydney. Slattery Images
The AFL’s 18th club will be known as the Greater Western Sydney Giants and wear orange and charcoal jumpers after an official unveiling last night. A logo and major sponsor were also revealed. The biggest talking points would have to be the name and the look of the jumpers.
For one thing, it was interesting to hear that the “GWS” moniker will stay. It’s the AFL’s intention to cast their net as far and wide as possible, and there’s certainly a lot of logic in doing that, however it has to be asked whether the locals actually identify with GWS.
After all, not that long ago, even Western Sydney was considered to be pushing it. Perhaps the alternatives just didn’t offer enough.
Then, of course, there’s also the fact Greater Western Sydney is a bit of a mouthful, especially when its six syllables are to be followed by a nickname.
The Giants component of the name, for what it’s worth, would appear to be easier to accept.
It already has its detractors, sure. But while Giants is indeed yet another name transplanted from American sports, the good news is that the name ends in an ‘s’ – unlike certain other recent additions to our sporting landscape.
Then there’s the jumpers, which should cause plenty of debate. It should be pointed out, firstly, that a vote is taking place to see which one the team should wear and the colours may, apparently, change before the team’s AFL debut.
A harsh critic would say neither are worthy. The choice of charcoal instead of black seems a tad odd, and you can also ask what the connection is between the colours and the region. Plus, the ‘G’ logo so prominently displayed on both jumpers seems to lack imagination.
But they may grow on us. Certainly, from a personal perspective, I don’t mind the use of orange one bit, considering that no other AFL club uses it and also how effective it is for a number of colleges in the United States (see Texas, Tennessee et al) not to mention the Netherlands’ national soccer team.
And hey, looking through some of the early reactions online, there are a few out there who do seem quite pleased with one or both of the jumpers.
The logo is the same as on the jumper, with (for obvious reasons) Greater Western Sydney Giants written next to it. Just as it does on the jumper, the ‘G’ doesn’t immediately strike as all that impressive.
I, for one, would be keen to know if there is any significance behind that particular design.
All in all, last night’s announcements were a tad underwhelming. But, given time, we might all simply get used to the “look” of the Giants.
The Giants’ unveiling didn’t offer as much hope and optimism as the launch of the Gold Coast Suns earlier this year but, just like after the Suns’ launch, it would be fitting right now to point out that things could have been worse.
MISTROmistro
Guest
I'm a Wests Tigers fan and a fan of the Sydney Swans in Greater Western Sydney and i absolutely don't give a damn if the Giants have almost the same colours as the Tigers. In fact, if I ever go to a Giants game and then a Tigers game i wont have to change my shirt (orange coloured shirt).
Daniel
Guest
The Eagles have a lot to do with WA! The wedge-tailed eagle is a WA emblem! Although, I do agree that the Giants is a pretty terrible name. Although, not because of the American link, just because I don't like it. After all, it is a bit better then the Suns! And also, if you want Australia to be 100% Aussie, then get rid of McDonalds, not get rid of team nicknames! I'm an AFL fan through and through, by the way!
mick h
Guest
yes and the massive amounts of junior afl teams in western syd 68 to be exact.
The Visitor
Guest
Interesting reading comments about how the colours of the home strip are "a rip off" of wests tigers and the away strip is copying the nsw origin colours, both of these choices possibly putting locals offside. When the Brisbane Bears first started the predominant colour was and still is maroon, traditionally the colour for Queensland in nearly all state sports teams. Why did they choose that colour? Well they probably figured that people would relate to it, much like the current thinking. Don't recall any hostilities like the silliness going on now.
jimbo
Roar Guru
They haven't started the job yet - its all talk before they step into the ring. They'll lose more money than the Swans - you can bet on that.
jimbo
Roar Guru
Look, at the end of the day Aussie Rules teams can wear whatever colours they want, but I think its a bit niaive to think its got nothing to do with trying to win over NRL fans. They bought a high profile NRL player primarily for the publicity They are wearing the Wests Tigers colours They are wearing the NSW SoO RL team sky blue colours as the away colours and calling themselves the NSW Blues. Geez what more evidence do you want fellas?
westy
Guest
Parramatta EELS NRL club is one of the most powerful sporting clubs in Western Sydney. Parramatta is derived from the local aboriginal language ( meeting place of the EELS). The club derives its mascot from that aboriginal name. Despite moves over time to "update its mascot" the club has resisted. I would suggest that in any competition for the most indigenous name and mascot in the country it would win hands down. It iwould also be one of the very few major capital city sporting clubs in Australia to have an aboriginal spearing eels on its official logo' .I can forgive ignorance but I dislike what sometimes appears as the intentional whitewashing of the history of rugby league clubs in Australia.
Jay
Guest
Can GSW use the blues? Isnt that Carlton's nickname (in addition to NSW SoO)??
TCunbeliever
Roar Guru
I agree with about everything you just said. I believe the team had a great opportunity to get people in the area excited about a new look team with a dynamic name & logo and completely missed the mark..
TCunbeliever
Roar Guru
I would have much preferred it if the GWS team had used colours and a name relevant to those who have migrated here, whether they came here thousands of years ago or just last week. But what they came up with I find it hard to think of too many people who would feel inspired by it.
TCunbeliever
Roar Guru
I think I see the points you are trying to make. It seems that there are adequate numbers in both the Gold Coast and the Greater Western area of NSW(ACT) to support these clubs. But you say that 'struggling clubs can bring the image of the game down', Financially they are in no danger of struggling as they are being supported by the AFL. On-field they are both being given every chance to win a flag within 4-6 years, such are their draft / trade allowances. The biggest challenge will be to get people to the GWS games in Sydney.. Yes the AFL is trying to increase it's interest and popularity in NSW and QLD, and the only real way to do that is to have two new clubs to be rivals with each other and the established teams in the area. Over time they will develop stronger lings with their respective areas. And I have to disagree that the Gold Coast Suns is a mistake. They've got plenty of local support and interest from around Queensland, have their very own stadium and indeed locals are asking if their 25,000-seat stadium will be big enough to meet demand.. The Titans have been in the NRL since 1998 and currently have between 6,000 and 8,000 members. The Suns haven't even played an AFL game yet and have between 10,000 and 13,000 members already. So things are looking very good for the Suns right now. I'm not saying either club will be instant successes, they will both take time, decades even, to grow and become a big part f people's lives.. But hey, we've got time on our side! Enough people will eventually be won over.
Nick the second
Guest
smart dig!
Redb
Roar Guru
People will find fault if that suits. Another poster might have had an issue if GWS did not acknowledge an indigenous link. Doesnt matter about Parramatta.
Redb
Roar Guru
"give people a team if they want one rather than just sticking one in a foreign market and trying to brainwash people with amazing amounts of marketing" NRL team Melbourne Storm?
Sports Writer
Guest
Stop embarassing yourself mate you have no idea. Just because wherever you come from is RL community doesn't mean all of NSW is the same. Just like NSW is not the only state in the country that plays league
Sports Writer
Guest
Oh ok macavity you say end of story so you are right and no one can argue your point. If I heard "the Blues are coming to your town" I would immediately think cricket team actually so you are wrong there. And what do you mean "not in NSW"? I have lived in NSW all my life
Mick Johnston
Roar Rookie
Seneca, I wasn't suggesting that GWS will overnight have 400,000 supporters, much less that they will all be suddenly tuning in to watch them on TV. I happily acknowledge that AFL gets ordinary TV numbers in Sydney at the present, but as I said, if they do nothing to try and grow the game in that market, the AFL is letting it die in that market. It is too big a market to ignore. Ticker, an elite pathway needs to start with a participation base. The Giants will assist the AFL's junior participation strategies in the greater western Sydney region, which in turn will increase the participation base. The structures being set up around the club, including talented player academies will enable a gifted 13 year old to see that there is a carefully mapped out pathway program for them to become an AFL player. The same will happen in the Eastern part of Sydney with Paul Roos' Sydney Swans academy. It's all about increasnig opportunities for the kids.
jimbo
Roar Guru
Funny that the GWS announcement didn’t get much press yesterday night in Sydney. Most of the interest was in Prince Williams engagement and the Socceroos. There was also a good story about how the FIFA technical committee gave Australia’s bid a glowing report as “one of the best bids”. If you really want to succeed in Sydney, stop letting the Aussie Rules Marketing department run the team. Sydney fans are more fickle and more sophisticated than people from Melbourne and we can see a used car salesman from a mile away. We’d like some genuine AFL people to show us why Aussie Rules is better entertainment than what we already have. How is GWS going to be any different from the Swans, who are losing money and popularity by the millisecond.
PG
Guest
The Point is that the AFL is deliberatley courting controversy --Tigers colours for home games NSW blue colours for away games --- they are giving West Sydney the finger -- so their names will be in the papers. This is the only way they will generate interest from the Westies as otherwise they would be ignored.
Dave
Guest
i didn't know every kid born in west sydney belong to the nrl and rugby league. rugby and soccer are also affected by the gws moving into west sydney but do you hear any of those football codes complaining?? no because there's enough talents and juniors there for all. so much for letting the kids choose which sports they want to play.