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The AFL pre-season came to Blacktown on Sunday afternoon, for a three-cornered evening of action. The youngest club, Greater Western Sydney Giants, were joined by defending premiers Sydney and traditional powerhouse Carlton.
It had been a weekend of wild weather. There were storms and driving rain on Saturday, then Sunday dawned hot and sticky. All day the weather alternating between humid sun and dark storms.
And it was perhaps because of the weather that barely 4,000 braved the elements to attend the game.
The crowd number would have been bitterly disappointing to the AFL organisers; being less than half the number that attended the Giants’ NEAFL team with the Swans and Gold Coast at the same venue two years ago.
Blacktown International Sportspark, at Rooty Hill, is a stadium built for AFL and cricket. On the western side is a grandstand, seating about 1,500; while the remainder is an open grass hill, fitting around 10,000.
However it was sparsely populated for this game.
The majority of the crowd were wearing the charcoal and orange of the Giants. Their cheer squad were there, with a few banners and floggers at the southern end. They were making most of the noise. And they soon had reason to find their voice.
First up, the Giants were taking on Carlton. And in the sticky conditions, the Giants were running in waves down the ground. Jonathan Patton kicked two goals in the first half. At the other end, the GWS defence were putting Carlton under pressure, and although the Blues attacked the goals, they could only manage behinds.
A sponsor had given away fold-up cardboard clappers, and the Giants’ fans reverberated around the ground.
“Let’s go Giants, let’s go” was the message, quickly re-worded to “Greater Western Sydney”.
Tragedy was to strike, as young prospect Matthew Buntine was felled in a collision. But the locals had the scent of victory early in the second half, as former Hawk Steven Gilham kicked his first goal in his new colours as they got out to a three goal lead.
The Giants’ hopes would be dashed in the final minutes. A turnover from Setanta O’hAilpin was costly, resulting in a Carlton goal. And the Giants found themselves foul of a few unlucky umpiring decisions resulting in two further Carlton goals, with Casboult kicking the winner with just seconds left on the clock.
Disappointment for the GWS faithful in the grandstands, as the Giants had led until the final seconds. Unlucky to lose, but the Blues had done enough when the game was up for grabs.
Mick Malthouse, at the helm at Carlton for the first time, had taken a victory over his long-time rival Kevin Sheedy.
Reigning premiers Sydney joined the action for the second game, taking on Carlton. The Swans have rarely been a force in the pre-season comp, and it was soon apparent that they were far from their best.
The Swans had plenty of their premiership stars out. And having started pre-season training later than the Blues, they looked under-done and not yet ready for match action.
The Blues had clicked into gear in the final minutes against the Giants, and continued that momentum through an explosive first half against the Swans.
From the opening minute, as Eddie Betts burst through the centre to score the opening goal; the Blues were in complete control. The floodgates opened, highlighted by a nine-pointer to Tom Bell.
But the action on the field wasn’t the only area in which the floodgates were opening. Dark clouds were rolling in. Thunderbolts and lightning were very very frightening, as many fans on the hill ran for cover.
And after the rain came the sunshine; and over the sky came the colours of the rainbow. At the end of the rainbow was a pot of Carlton gold; and although the Swans won the second half, they were well beaten.
The Blues had won both their games, the fourth team to go through the triple-header stage of the NAB Cup undefeated. After a disappointing 2012, the Blues are working hard to restore themselves to a finals berth this season.
The last event on the program was a mini-derby; as the two Sydney teams clashed. They were at opposite ends of the ladder last year, with the Swans winning the title and the Giants coming last.
But the tables would be turned in this match.
The light was fading, but the Giants were on fire. Four goals to one saw the Giants open up a handy break.
The Swans were thrown a lifeline, as Jesse White landed a nine-pointer. Left out of the finals last year and offered as trade bait, White served a reminder to the Swans that he’s still around, as he went long and straight to reduce the margin to ten points with a minute to go before half time.
But the Giants regained the initiative, driving the ball forward for Jeremy Cameron to goal and open up a 16-point lead; as the rain came down again.
Many in the crowd, drenched after the second storm, decided they’d seen enough and headed for the exits.
But for those who stayed, spirits were rising in the Giants’ camp.
Toby Greene, a revelation last season, showed no signs of second season blues as he raced through the centre to score.
“Here come the Giants” roared the cheer squad, their voices growing louder as Jonathan Patton marked and kicked his second and then Toby Greene brought up his double.
The final siren sounded, and the strains of the GWS song rang over the PA system.
It hadn’t been a great day for the Swans. But they’ve never been a club to be too worried about the pre-season. They’ve still got plenty of their premiership side to come back into the team before round one. And mid-season, after his suspension is served, Kurt Tippett will further bolster their forward line.
But the last game belonged to the Giants. In their second season, they were keen to make a statement that there’ll be no easy pickings this year. With a win and a near miss, they achieved that.
A fit Jonathan Patton on the forward line gives them stronger power up forward; and his combination with Jeremy Cameron is one to watch. The midfield is a production line of the best and brightest talent in a generation.
There weren’t many wins last season, but the heavily pro-Giants crowd were revelling in the taste of their first victory over their cross-town rivals.
And above the ground, the sun made one final attempt to emerge. Setting in the west, the bright orange of the sun stood out among the grey clouds to the east; the sky sporting the colours of the Giants.
And for the footy fans of the harbour city, the first AFL action of 2013 was complete. The countdown is now on to the opening round of the home and away season, a local derby between the Giants and the Swans at ANZ Stadium on Easter Saturday.
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