A giant billboard at the railway overpass over Olympic Drive declares Lidcombe, in the heart of Sydney’s western suburbs, to be the “Land of the Giants”.
The Giants, of course, being the Greater Western Sydney AFL club.
The billboard doesn’t contain any photos of Giants players, not even Israel Folau, only the photo of the Giants’ cartoon-like stuffed mascot, and the Skoda and AFL emblems.
The last 25 years have seen great changes in the Lidcombe municipality and today it’s a very diverse ethnic and cultural suburb.
In the latest national census it was reported that 69.2 percent of the population don’t speak English at home. In the past few years since the last census, there has been a 300 percent increase in Islamic religious following.
You would be more likely to see a hijab being worn in Lidcombe than a GWS Giants cap. Lidcombe doesn’t even have an Aussie Rules club. This is certainly not the “Land of the Giants”.
The one-time home of the mighty Western Suburbs fibros doesn’t have that many rugby league clubs these days either. Most people play and watch koura el-khadim (football).
Why would the AFL advertise so heavily in such an area of western Sydney? Does it show a frontier mentality to bring Aussie Rules to people who have never experienced it, or a serious misunderstanding of what makes the communities of Sydney’s western suburbs tick?
The AFL had always intended to make the Giants a western Sydney AFL side. The initial lack of interest in Aussie Rules in Blacktown forced them to broaden their appeal to a greater market to include other areas of Sydney and then on to Canberra and Queanbeyan.
The GWS Giants introduction to Sydney has not been an instant success.
The AFL pride themselves on attendances, but the last home game for the Giants attracted an attendance of just 11,800, and the Swans last home game in Sydney had a crowd of 13,500. The combined attendance of both Aussie Rules games in Sydney was lower than the season average for just the one Sydney Aussie Rules team last season.
And where are the Giants players domiciled – in western Sydney?
No, they have set up camp in a luxury waterfront residential complex at Breakfast Point.
If the AFL wants western Sydney to become the “Land of the Giants”, then they need to understand the people of western Sydney a lot better.
This is not just about a new virgin frontier to ravage and conquer with lots of money. This is about connecting with the local communities and carrying on the good work that the Swans have done in the past, to cement their place in Sydney society.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Raf Giants are currently averaging 15k at their home games - do you want to compare that with whatever sport or club you follow? Note, the club has only existed for half a season.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
RC It's a bit of a concern if you have never heard of David Williamson's "The Club".
The Cattery
Roar Guru
The Laws of Australian Football were first codified in 1859.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Raf I've noticed on a number of occasions you have worked over time to intentionally inject poor grammar into some of your posts. You aren't pretending to be something you're not by chance? Pretending to be ethnic, even a follower of the last prophet of God? Oh - I get it - Nadir - yes, yes, very good - very troll worthy - well done!!
clipper
Guest
Rough Conduct - are you serious! David Williamson is Australia's most famous playwright and The Club is one of his most famous plays, along with Don's Party and Emerald City. Although Paul Kelly has a large body of work, 'Bradman' never made it into the top 40, so I think The Club compares quite favourably with it - especially considering it was made into a film directed by Bruce Beresford and recently had another theatrical tour and was remade by the Americans (obviously the Aussie Rules aspect was changed).
Ben
Guest
See you at the game on Saturday then Col ol' mate
Col Quinn
Guest
Thanks Will, my old Dad, an original Socceroo, once told me never to argue with fools, because you never win. I wasnt going bother to reply to Ben or whoever he is. And to think I like AFL, not as much as RL but AFL is a great game.
Mark Young
Roar Guru
Ben. Smiling! Please?!
Brewski
Roar Rookie
@ Raf, more proof that you have no idea of whats going on around you, and that your article was very sloppy LOL.
Ben
Guest
Thanks Will...err...Col...err..Raf. I don't care anymore mate, I've made my point and upset a few people along the way. You're just trolling now. Haven't you got porn to watch or something else to do.
Cameron
Guest
Raf I expect you to critisise every member of the new Western Sydney A league franchise that will not live in Western Sydney, fair enough?
Lazy Ted Failyou
Guest
It is 'strange' due to the RL press making it a BIG issue. Imagine if the Victorian media kept on pointing out how all the Storm players were not from anywhere south of Bowral? Noone would show up to their games.
mick h
Guest
the nrl grounds have less cover than the scg
gurudoright
Guest
I'm happy for Col to speak for me
mick h
Guest
the afl playing numbers have not increased with the introduction of the gws giants. Source penrith press from afl junior officials.
Will Travel
Guest
I love it How you can't admit the GWS start has been less then steller. But if can always fall back on the 25 year plan claim. Like TC, if you say it enough you might actually start to believe it'll come true. And if your so good with the names, why don't you give us your last one (or your first, as I doubt that Ben is even real). Until you do, you're no better then the people you're complaining about, and are just another poster using the anonymity of the internet to make thinly vailed attacks on people who don't share you're view. But yet again, if the GWS is going so good, why post. If none fo this is true and these opinions hold no weight, why reply? If you can't answer you can alway change to your Alt Brewski so it looks like someone's backing you up.
mick h
Guest
matt penrith supporters only turn up in droves when they are at the top of the table another issue which affects their crowds is scheduling and at times clash with the pdjrl which has over 8,000 players
Pete
Guest
Wow, you mean migrants to Victoria ended up watching the sport which had no competition at all until about 10 years ago and still gets an unmatched saturation of coverage? Sounds just like the situation in Western Sydney.
gurudoright
Guest
How about this OP, I will take that up, I will quit The Roar if the Giants get 20000 to another home game this year. As long as you quit if the Giants don't get above 15000 to another home game this year. That includes not coming back with a multi - persona
Will Travel
Guest
Even if its total BS. I always knew AFL fans were partial to propaganda. All I see coming from Ben is "But I have a few friends..." But if the AFL in such a strong position why the need to reply to COL or Raf in the first place. After all the GWS is going so strong :) Maybe your one of those friends Brewski (or you one of Bens alts)