On a chilly Saturday 22,000 brave souls made their way out to ANZ stadium in western Sydney to watch the AFL’s new boys get destroyed by their cross-town rivals.
The Swans cruised to a comfortable victory 19.18 (132) against GWS’ 5.8 (38). Two comfortable victories in these two games between the Sydney sides have led many to suggest that the passion that instils many local derbies won’t be found in Sydney for a long time.
On the contrary. A couple of blowouts are exactly what this rivalry needs.
Great rivalries in sport are born from one of two events. The first is close contest, both teams fighting tooth and nail for everything.
In the mid-2000s this is exactly what happened between the Swans and Eagles. During those two classic grand finals a rivalry was born between these two clubs, which continues to this day.
The second type of situation is where there is such an imbalance that one team completely dominates the other. The domination is so complete that the winner starts to overlook their competitor; they see them coming up in the draw and all they think is easy points. This arrogance fuels the underdog on to victory.
Think about the State of Origin where the Blues have their best chance in years over the Maroons, or the recent Roos victory over the Saints.
Although the Swans may play it coy in the media, GWS will know what they really think.
This should motivate them to work hard, especially as this is a young team who won’t forget these early blowouts and will be around in years to come. GWS will forever be the younger brother of the Swans, a title that they’ll relish even more when they beat their local rivals.
Anyone who has finally beaten their older brother in the backyard after years of merciless beatings would understand this perfectly. This imbalance is something the Swans will want to keep but in the long run it is something that will make GWS stronger.
Mick Mc
Guest
I'm still stunned at the apparent blindness of so many AFL supporters to the probable train wreck GWS will become. I note that NEARLY ALL those who are boostering for GWS here are non-Sydneysiders, and don't appear to really know much about Sydney or it's culture. For a start, Sydney is not particularly anti-AFL in the way that Melbourne and other places are ardently anti-NRL. I hear it all the time when 'ex-pat' zealots in Sydney bag NRL, and on my many visits to Melbourne. The Swans are largely accepted here, and followed by many, if at a distance, but GWS is a different matter. There are no local players, coaches or administration in the GWS camp; nobody with genuine local roots or knowledge. Apparently they don't seem to know where the western suburbs start, (which is around Parramatta and definitely includes Blacktown, but not Homebush) and are now in desperation trying to cannibalise Swans supporters by handing tickets in the inner west and inner city. Their whole set-up feels alien and imposed, probably because of the AFL media deal which demanded the extension of the Sydney 'market' by the creation of a new team. As for rivalries, where are these (currently largely non-existant) GWS supporters going to come from? When the Swans first arrived in Sydney in 1982 they could at least rely on ex-pats from AFL states and some local middle class interest, and they built on that. (Though when I was teaching history in Macquarie Fields in the south west of Sydney in the 80s the Swans efforts at promotion there were largely fruitless) But the 'AFL' market is now fully committed to the Swans. And where will they get their future players from? Even the Swans have some problem with getting enough local players. And having local players still means something in Sydney (as I'm sure it does in AFL) eg Brett Emmerton at SFC and the proliferation of locals at my club, the Rabbitohs. The main problem is that GWS don't really represent anyone Sydney. So my question remains: where are these 'future' supporters to come from?
micka
Guest
So you hate AFL Management, its fans and their arrogance.... ipso facto AFL. Sydney CLEARLY hates GWS for the most part.
ItsCalledFootball
Roar Guru
Sydney doesn't hate GWS or the game of Aussie Rules. Sydney hates the AFL management and arrogance of AFL and its fans to tell us what we want.
Gleeso
Guest
think they were trying to suggest the weather had an influence. It was a lovely night.
micka
Guest
As a regional Victorian club member (Western Vic) I can tell you that regional Aussie rules is mostly in trouble because there is bugger all work for young people in the country so no one is around to play. It's got sweet FA to do with expansion going on in Sydney.
Dingo
Guest
Nothing like a GWS story to bring out the "fail at life" anti AFL troll team.
Col Quinn
Guest
Jaceman, its just not abandoning training venues, there is the attemps to grab the inner west Auskick program. The handing out of free game tickets in the inner west shopping malls, such as Broadway. My son was handed 6 several weeks ago. As for the waste of funds, ask regional Victorian AFL clubs what they think, specially when the regional clubs are on the verge of folding due to the economic crisis in country areas. The AFL is really angering Swan supporters
Brewski
Roar Rookie
Not exactly about the rivalry with the Swans, but about GWS and Wagga. Giants pair back Wagga deal http://www.dailyadvertiser.com.au/news/local/sport/football-australian-rules/giants-pair-back-wagga-deal/2612277.aspx
Pot Stirrer
Guest
I think you miss the point btn, It will take GWS years to become competitive and the swans will smash them unmercifuly till they do become competitive but in 5 or 6 years when they finally have a decent side beating the Swans will be sweetest of sweet satisfaction and will begin a rivalry that maywell get the interest of NSW.
Titus
Guest
"GWS V Swans is no different to what Sydney FC v WSW will be, or when the Brisbane Broncos play the new Brisbane team" I respectfully disagree GCS, rivalries are built by the fans and GWS just doesn't have enough passionate fans, primarily because AFL is in non-heartland area and most AFL fans in that area are either Swans fans or fans of another AFL team. With WSW, they are smack bang in the middle of Football heartland with over 100 000 registered players, SFC territory would have similar numbers. WSW fans felt shunned by the FFA and there was a big rivalry developing well before they even had a team. It won't get as much media exposure as the AFL but the rivalry will be real, much like SFC/Victory or Victory/Heart. I'm sure the GWS fans consider the Swans rivals but it will be years before a genuine rivalry gets going.
Brewski
Roar Rookie
Agreed.
Redb
Roar Guru
You hope. An uncompetitive GWS proves nothing about their future prospects. Remember that.
Redb
Roar Guru
Fremantle got thrashed by West Coast several times and lost 9 in a row before they finally won a derby. It is probably some years away but the game GWS knock off the Swans will forge a rivalry.
AGO74
Guest
It is a rivalry for obvious reasons and will grow in the future but what irks is when the author describes a 94 point win as "comfortable" and then described the absolute pantsing that it was as somehow being good for the rivalry. Grain of salt please!. GWS apologist alert! As for your other comparisons, WSW or new Brisbane NRL team will probably get beaten in first few games but a soccer or NRL equivalent 94 point loss would not be glossed over as being "comfortable" and assisting in rivalry building.
Jaceman
Guest
Col, GWS are not abandoning WS anymore than Wests Tigers are abandoning WS by training at Concord (near Breakfast Creek) and playing only 4 (out of state teams) games at Campbelltown. AFL is not wasting money on GWS as they have significant sponsorship. They maybe wasting their time trying to get kids interested in AFL in WS but you could only judge that in 20 years when this generation comes thru. They have been there less than 2 years so too early on the call. Part of the record TV deal was based upon AFL's bid to expand. In 1982, the AFL didnt have any money as the TV deals were chicken feed compared to now. The resaon the Swans moved was that they were broke and it was pre AFL Commission days.. If the Commission said it was funded for 10 years surely they cant quit in early days especially before the team has matured...I guarantee they will last londger than the SE Q Crushers (the NRL's attempt to put a second team in an NRL city - allegedly now the home of RL)
Col Quinn
Guest
Gee Big O, I know I have been around for most of the102 years but off our backsides. It is going to be an incredible game tonight. Blues Blues. However, back to the topic. There is not any rivalry between Swanies and GWS. There is animosity considering that GWS are rapidly abandoning Sydney's West and are moving into Swans territory in the inner west. Not to measure the indecent amount of money the AFL is wasting on the GWS. Had the Swans been given such a boost up, when they relocated, AFL would be the only code played in inner Sydney. I am just waiting for change in leadership in the AFL and an admission that a mistake was made with the GWS.
micka
Guest
Could it be said that a rivalry will be born out of the seemingly universal hatred of GWS by anyone in Western Sydney? For such an apparently disparate grouping of communities it seems to be pretty universal. I can almost see GWS becoming a sort of collingwood or better yet a Manly type figure in the Sydney sporting landscape. Lots of money and everyone hates them because they are the outsider, nevertheless they have a certain number of annoying die hards (geese in the bhuddist/krishna getups that even got down to geelong). The more things change, the mnore they stay the same. When they eventually get up they will smear it in the faces of the self proclaimed doubters, especially swans fans which will breed an absolute love for giving them a flogging. What will be funny is if there is a perverse increase in support for the Swans by Sydneysiders who despise GWS. Think this won't happen? Why do Victorians love seeing QLD give NSW a flogging. The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
JVGO
Guest
Yes Oikee but you've got us fired up now! Look out! Of course if we win we will forget about it in a couple of days.
The High Shot
Roar Pro
Gosh the word "brave" gets thrown around a lot when talking about GWS.
Jaceman
Guest
No I prefer the good old Masters manufactured NRL rivalries - silvertails vrs fibros which seems to have disappeared under the crushing weight of a joint venture as the fibros merged with inner city trendies. Interestingly some media outlets had the crowd at 38K which was the first round crowd but there were defintely less than 25K there. An error in copying perhaps...