Third Sydney AFL team? Never say never

Kevin Sheedy can sometimes be a divisive figure in sporting circles. Not everyone agrees with everything he has to say. But no-one could ever accuse him of not being a visionary.

Sheedy has come up with some interesting ideas at times. A lateral thinker, his ideas can be controversial. But his desire to see the AFL grow cannot be questioned.

It’s why he took on the GWS coaching job.

This week, Sheedy wrote an article talking about the possibility of a third Sydney team entering the AFL.

The idea was scoffed at by most who read it. The thought of entering another Sydney team at this point in time seems laughable.

But the timeframe is worthy of note. It’s not going to happen now, but in 15 years time, we may be ready.

A lot can change in 15 years. If you want proof, think about how the sporting landscape has changed in the last 15 years.

15 years ago, in 1998, Port Adelaide were in their second season; as were the Brisbane Lions after the merger between the Bears and Fitzroy.

The Swans had been in Sydney for 16 years, but had only recently cemented their place in the Sydney sporting landscape. There had been many years of poor crowds, false dawns, under-achievement and mismanagement before that.

By 2028, the Giants will have been around as long as the Swans had been in Sydney in 1998. But it had taken 15 years for the Swans to truly become entrenched in Sydney.

There was talk of a second Sydney team, and the Kangaroos announced they would come up to play in Sydney. Seven games over two seasons, before they abandoned the idea.

The idea of a second team fell dormant until the AFL revealed its Team GWS proposal a decade later.

15 years ago, rugby league was on its knees. The theme was contraction rather than expansion.

The two factions of the game had come to an uneasy peace after the Super League war. Western Reds, South Queensland Crushers and Hunter Mariners had been cut.

At the end of the season, Adelaide and the original Gold Coast were axed. St George and Illawarra merged. Other clubs knew they had one more year to live before merging or disappearing.

Crowds were small. TV rights were low. The game was struggling.

15 years on, rugby league is strong again. Gold Coast are back. Options for further expansion are being considered.

15 years ago, football was barely on the sporting radar.

The Socceroos had so cruelly missed out on the World Cup after two late goals by Iran. All that was left was an NSL competition that struggled for relevance; run by a dysfunctional Soccer Australia.

The change in that game has been enormous. Two World Cup appearances, and we’re likely to qualify for another this year.

The A-League is drawing crowds and attracting sustained interest and media coverage beyond the wildest dreams of even the staunchest 1998 optimist.

In the cricket world, 15 years ago Australia was the dominant super-power. And although Test crowds in Australia were solid, around the world it looked like 50-over One Day cricket was the dominant form of the game. Domestic cricket wasn’t on the radar.

Since that time, T20 cricket has come into being. International cricket is being rivalled for significance by domestic franchise-based T20 leagues. And One Day 50 over internationals are an endangered species.

Could Sydney be ready for a third AFL team in 15 years time? Maybe. But we’re sure not ready now.

The Swans are safely entrenched. Their future isn’t in doubt.

GWS Giants are new. Starting a new team from scratch in a non-heartland area is a challenge.

At this stage, although corporate backing is solid, crowds are not yet at a viable level.

This week, GWS have their first game at Skoda Stadium for the year. It’s likely to pull a crowd of about 8,000. In the long term, that’s not enough.

That number over time will pick up, as the team becomes more competitive on the field and as awareness of the GWS Giants brand grows.

On the field, the Giants have the foundations of a strong team; and as the potential is realised in the seasons to come, it will attract supporters.

That’s the nature of professional sport – only the diehards will follow a team while they struggle, but many come on board as they climb the ladder.

But it’s coming off a low base.

Improvement, on or off the field, won’t come instantly. Like George Harrison with his mind set on you, it’ll take a whole lot of spending money and a whole lot of precious time to do it right.

But progress is being made. Memberships are up this season, with 12,000 members signed up. There’s no shortage of sponsors knocking on the door.

The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. But the fact that the journey is a thousand miles isn’t a reason not to take the single step; or to abandon the journey after a few steps.

We press on. Slow and steady in the race for the hearts and minds of Sydney’s sporting fans.

Will Sydney’s sporting landscape be ready for a third AFL team in 15 years? Who knows.

The last 15 years has shown that things can change. But what will the changes of the next 15 years be?

For the sporting enthusiasts of the Harbour City, it’s going to be interesting, and a lot of fun, to find out.