It’s been in the media more and more as the 2013 season goes on. The comparison between the Gold Coast Suns who are in their third season, and Greater Western Sydney Giants who are in their second.
Right now on the ladder after 15 rounds, Gold Coast sit in 14th position with five wins. GWS is last with zero.
In their AFL history, Gold Coast has 10 wins (2 in 2011, three in 2012 and five in 2013). GWS has one, which came against the Suns in 2012.
So how long do we give the Suns before we can fairly compare the two?
This time last season, Gold Coast were without a win. Many forget that.
Then in Round 16 a goal to Karmichael Hunt after the siren gave them their first win of the season against Richmond.
GWS came as close as they’ve got to a win against the Western Bulldogs two weeks ago, losing by three points.
Personally, the reason for the negative vibe around GWS is for the following reasons.
1. Lack of competitiveness
The Giants last week had 51 scoring shots scored against them by the Swans. They have conceded 2092 points for the season so far. That’s an average of 139 points conceded a game.
This time last season Gold Coast had conceded 1653 points. That’s an average of 110 points conceded a game.
So statistically after one season and 15 rounds, GWS concede 29 more points a game.
Up forward, the Suns have scored 1045 points at an average of nearly 70. The Suns this time last year had scored 915, an average of 61 points a game.
Does this say something about the game styles both sides a striving for and believe is successful?
2. Recruiting
These are the experienced players both sides have recruited so far.
Gold Coast
Gary Ablett
Campbell Brown
Michael Rischitelli
Jared Brennan
Jarrod Harbrow
Nathan Bock
Greg Broughton
Nathan Krakouer
Danny Stanley
GWS
Tom Scully
Phil Davis
Rhys Palmer
Callan Ward
Jonathon Giles
Stephen Gilham
Setanta O’Hailpin
Chad Cornes
Dean Brogan
Scott Thonton
Doesn’t take a genius to work out who has recruited the better group of experienced, but also fit and healthy players. The Giants must land a big fish in next seasons draft. They have too also get three or four experienced harder bodies, especially in defence.
Karmichael Hunt also worked out better than Israel Folau. One has kicked a goal after the siren to win a game, the other has left the AFL after little success.
The Suns arguably have it easier. They have been able to create a mini fortress down at Metricon Stadium, a home ground that has attracted crowds around the 12,000 mark all season.
They have also been given a derby against the Lions who are a middle of the range side, beatable by any side containing Ablett Jnr.
The Giants on the other hand have been dumped in a rugby league dominated town. They have also been given the reigning premiers as rivals, meaning their derbies thus far have been over before they have started.
Interestingly, GWS has more members than Gold Coast right now. 12,631 against 12,464.
The fact is though that Gold Coast members go and watch games more than GWS ones do.
The Suns last home game against Adelaide was played in front of 13,791 fans. GWS last home game against had a crowd of just over 7,000.
Plenty of work to do for GWS, obviously. But let’s look at what they have to work with.
Jeremy Cameron – has been top 10 in the Coleman Medal basically all year, and appears to be a superstar in the making up forward.
Jonathon Patton – two knee reconstructions isn’t ideal for a man his size, but obvious talent and with his size with form a formidable duo with Cameron if he can get himself fit.
Toby Greene – this kid is a ball magnet. Has suffered from second year blues as many kids do and still needs work on his disposal, but will be a very good player.
Tomas Bugg – quality defender who just needs some help around him.
Dylan Shiel – hard as nails and classy. Watch this space.
The problem with other high draft picks, young talent or experienced players is that they haven’t been able to play consistent footy. Scully, Phil Davis, Callan Ward and others have been injured for most of their time in GWS colours.
The Suns on the other hand it seems have much more to work with.
Jaeger O’Meara – possiby the best first year ever from a midfielder in the history of the game. Will win the rising star and possibly a Brownlow in the future.
Dion Prestia – the human meatball is a ball magnet.
David Swallow – has struggled at times but it’s inevitable he becomes an A grade midfielder.
Charlie Dixon – kicked six against the Giants earlier in the season. Clean hands and a great attack on the footy.
Harley Bennell – oozes class and skill. Kicks a lot of goals for a midfielder.
Trent McKenzie – one of the best kicks in the competition, so important in today’s age of zones and breaking the lines.
Aaron Hall – medium sized forward who looks capable of becoming a seriously good player. Chases hard.
Add in Brandon Matera and Tom Nicholls who have shown great signs, it’s scary to think how good they can be.
The majority of talent and games won has come from an Gary Ablett lead and probably taught midfield.
This is where GWS are lacking badly. Leadership and direction, on and off field.
They lost Mark ‘Choco’ Williams last year to Richmond, and it seems are just happy for Sheedy to do his work at promoting the club without putting his whole effort into the actual side itself.
So how do you see it? Are GWS in trouble? Will they go for and get Lance Franklin? Which team is closer to playing finals?
Interesting times ahead.
Allan
Guest
You should have had this new franchise, not Western Sydney. I sincerely hope the AFL finds a way to make it up to Tasmania.
Martin
Guest
I don't see what the problem is. In a competition with 18 clubs you need two teams at the bottom of the ladder and the Giants are fulfilling that role - well done! Although it is a concern that the GC Suns have risen up the ladder, which is unfortunate. Let's be real about the reason why these two teams have been bought into the competition, it certainly is not to take the place of more established clubs further up the ladder. The Giants and Suns need to know their place in the whole scheme of things and they should be contented with life at the bottom.
Dave
Guest
On Saturday I'm looking forward to heading to Aurora Stadium with 15000 or so others to watch the Hawks play the Bulldogs. I go to each home game as I live in Launceston. It will be a knowledgeable, passionate crowd who really embrace the AFL as they have done over many decades. I'll probably at some stage tune in to the GWs vs Essendon game and see the vast amount of unoccupied seats in the crowd of 7000 with the majority of the supporters no doubt being Bombers faithful. Its disheartening. OK we only have half a million people but we love AFL football and deserve a presence in the national competition.
darcytrainor
Roar Rookie
One other thing is David Swallow stagnating to the point where he isn't even starting in midfield. Other clubs will be quick to swoop if this continues because he is QUALITY.
darcytrainor
Roar Rookie
Thanks for that. Apologies for the wrong information, especially Scott instead of Brett Thornton. I knew that too which is annoying. Enjoy the article ladies and gents.
SportsFanGC
Roar Guru
Chariman, good call on the jersey as well - I think the away one (Grey G on a white background) is not bad for an away top but the home top is a stinker. Amazing the number of mistakes that have been made purely from a marketing perspective for this team considering the money available and the lead up time to their first season. Someone or some people need to be held accountable. In saying that the marketing fixes are pretty quick - name and home jersey
Riddos
Guest
Injuries have resulted in Suns playing more of the squad in first team then they'd planned but will lead to a long term benefit of increased depth. A guy like Nicholas who would be third choice ruck behind Smith and Dixon comes in and has done very well in recent weeks. In coming years they'll have some good trade pieces from the likes of an overstocked midfield to strengthen in required areas.
Chairman Kaga
Guest
Great points there. The "Greater" thing is bizarre. Whoever thought that up must be one of those multi million dollar pony tail wearing marketing "experts". Mind you, when South moved to the SCG back in 1982, they were called "The Swans". Not Sydney. Over a number of years it just magically altered itself from memory. If I had my way, just call them West Sydney Giants with orange and black horizontal hoops. It will be easier to sell the jerseys that way.
josh
Roar Rookie
I'm still not sure the Suns exactly know who their best team. To rise the ire of Macca, no youngster has consistently put their hand up to warrant a spot over say Karmichael or any other. There is cleat top 8 (i.e. certain starters) the rest is fairly open. In addition the Suns have a lot of essentially mid-field players, playng out of position.
Mark
Guest
GC Midfield will be the one to watch in the very near future, Ablett to play more forward pocket type role.
SportsFanGC
Roar Guru
Firstly Inaccuracies in the article: Gold Coast have won a total of 11 games in their history to date (3 - 2011, 3 - 2012, 5 - 2013) while GWS have won 2 (2 - 2012, 0 - 2013). Two weeks ago GWS lost by 4 points to the Bulldogs. GWS recruited Brett Thornton from Carlton not Scott Thonton. Secondly: From a recruiting perspective both have been very average, although Gold Coast shade GWS on this point. While the Gold Coast did get the "big fish" recruit in Ablett, who has been absolutely outstanding, the only other recruits who have provided decent value is Campbell Brown, Nathan Bock, Jarrod Harbrow and Greg Broughton the rest have been very inconsistent particularly Brennan who is just a frustrating player to watch. GWS did not land a "big fish" but Callan Ward and Phil Davis have been very good, Tom Scully and Rhys Palmer have been serviceable and Giles battles away but the others were well past it and all the experience in the world was not going to assist these kids on the field, they needed current star players in their prime, not guys needing a final year or two for their career. The areas that Gold Coast and GWS need to improve are the following: 1. Fitness - the best sides run games out until the last minute of the 4th Q 2. Disposal - both still can be very very sloppy with their disposal, many times directly resulting in play transferred to the other end of the ground for a scoring shot. 3. Zone Defence - teams run the ball out of defence and through the corridor to easily against both teams. *On the points above I would say that GC Suns are much further advanced than GWS as you would expect with an additional season under their belt. GWS can also consider the following from a marketing perspective: 1. Get rid of Sheedy from the Club altogether - the man is a muppett and the people of Sydney do not understand the nonsense that talks the way that Melbourne does. I believe that he is actually turning more people against GWS than people that he is bring to the Club. 2. Get rid of the name - either call it West Sydney or Western Sydney but drop the "Greater" 3. The first home games of the season must be played in Sydney not Canberra - no brainer, doesnt have to be at Skoda but must be in Sydney.
Riddos
Guest
Add incoming Jack Martin near the top of the Suns talent list, all class.
Tristan
Guest
Um, GWS also beat Port last year.