The 2014 AFL season will be an exciting time for the harbour city and its footy fans. The Swans and Giants have made some handy acquisitions in the trade period and with the draft to come, a few more quality kids will join their lists.
The formula for future grand final success hinges on player movements, both during the trade period and the draft, and all clubs in the competition have a strategy they believe will lead them to ultimate glory.
I will now have a look at what the Swans and Giants have done during the trading period to improve their squads, the draft picks they have available to use and their goals for 2014.
Sydney Swans
They secured the biggest name in the game, Buddy Franklin, from the newly crowned premiers a matter of weeks after the final siren.
A $10 million deal over nine years raised eyebrows around the country and led to the usual calls for a review (read: scrapping) of the cost of living allowance afforded to the Swans and Giants to assist their players with the cost of living in Australia’s most expensive city.
It was also a signing that gave an almighty backhand to the Giants, who were the hot favourites to sign Buddy all year until the 11th hour, when he opted for the Swans.
The Swans believe it is smart business to get Franklin and they have a great track record of player signings going back as far as Tony Lockett.
The Swans will also be looking to get fitness into players that struggled with injury during 2013.
Alex Johnson will be back after having a knee reconstruction which ruled him out for the 2013 season.
He is a valuable member of the Swans backline and has the ability to play on both short and tall forwards. He was a key fixture during their 2012 premiership year.
Others to return include Lewis Roberts-Thompson, Lewis Jetta, Sam Reid and Gary Rohan (technically returned this year, but I expect him to have much more impact in 2014), which makes for very impressive reading if you are a Swans fan.
The Swans have lost Shane Mumford to cross-town rivals the Giants and Jed Lamb is also expected to sign out west also.
Andrejs Everitt and Jesse White have left to go to Victoria for more opportunity.
I only expect the Swans to use their first three picks in the upcoming draft which are 15, 32 and 35 and they should land another quality player at pick 15.
All in all they have a mighty solid squad in all areas of the ground and they also have great depth, notwithstanding the players that have departed during the trade period.
Their midfield is a combination of hard running, balling winning players and they have speed to burn.
The Swans’ famed culture ensures players know what is required of them on game day and they are desperate not to let their teammates down.
They love the ‘one-percenters’ as much as they do kicking goals.
Nothing less than a top four finish will be expected by their fans and the media. The Swans should be eyeing off a top two spot considering the talent now calling the SCG home.
The Swans are definite grand final contenders.
GWS Giants
Two tough years at the top level have culminated in a total of three wins. This is definitely not good enough if you are hoping to attract and engage with new fans in an area where AFL is in its infancy.
Although this was expected, it was brutal nonetheless.
Kevin Sheedy had a mandate to play kids and get games into them, which he did.
His marketing of the club was at times good and at other times very, very poor and it is questionable whether he still had the ability to coach at the top level.
The Giants lost out on Buddy but they did make some valuable acquisitions that will benefit the team in the long term and add a better balance to the team.
They secured dual premiership ruckman Shane Mumford from the Swans, premiership defender Heath Shaw from Collingwood and dual premiership defender Josh Hunt from Geelong.
They are also due to sign Jed Lamb from the Swans to add some extra depth to the midfield.
The ruck and defence were massive problem areas for the Giants in their first two seasons.
Jonathan Giles has battled away predominately on his own in the centre square and this took a toll not only on him but the team also, regularly getting smashed in the clearances.
Mumford will be the number one ruckman, with Giles supporting him.
Phil Davis, Stephen Gilham and Tim Mohr would be delighted to see Shaw and Hunt join the club and provide extra help down back.
They have been under immense pressure for the past two seasons as the ball continued to fly into the defensive 50. The addition of experienced premiership players is a massive plus for this end of the ground.
The trade period saw six young players move from the club and was headlined by Dom Tyson going to Melbourne and Taylor Adams going to Collingwood.
What the Giants also managed to do was improve an already strong position in the draft. They have picks one, two, 14, and 29 (which is all I expect them to use), which will ensure Tom Boyd and at least two other quality young players join the club.
The key for the club is to improve their fitness levels and skills. Their decision making under pressure and fatigue also needs dramatic improvement.
There were signs during games in 2013 of just how good the kids at the Giants could be, however nearly every game fell the same way, with them running out of legs in the second half.
They have great midfield depth, led by Callan Ward and Tom Scully. The ability of the kids who are now heading into either their third or second season is to try and emulate previous midfield champions who were able to run all day (think Shane Crawford, Ben Cousins, Robert Harvey etc).
The forward line they are putting together at the moment could be really damaging in the next two to four years.
Jonathon Patton and Boyd will most likely rotate between full forward and centre half forward, with Jeremy Cameron given a licence to roam and do as he pleases.
Cameron has shown only in his second season just how talented he is and how important he is to the long term future of the Giants.
The Giants will now work towards trying to emulate their cross-town rivals, where regular finals footy is expected.
They have great home grounds at Skoda Stadium in Homebush and Manuka Oval in Canberra and their new training facility at Tom Wills Oval, also in Homebush.
The Giants should be aiming for a Suns-esque third season in the big time, however I don’t see them winning eight games next year.
A realistic target is five or six wins and for Leon Cameron to stamp his authority and game plan on this team.
If you are a footy fan in NSW the teams are set to entertain you.
The Swans have an already solid and premiership winning list, the Giants are building towards the same level.
I for one am looking forward to what these teams will produce in the next few years and also the day when the Sydney derby is a legitimate contest, rather than a training run for the Swans and a guaranteed eight premiership points.
TW
Guest
The above comments about the Western Region (GWS) of the Greater Sydney Juniors having no growth or little existence deserves some attention. The report as quoted above by SB was in 2012 after some real down to earth research was done - Lots of mistakes had been made and a big decision was made to play on Sundays this year. For 2013 in the Western Region 15 Junior Clubs were involved ranging from Faulconbridge to Bargo. PLUS the Auburn Tigers who are a Muslim Community based Club who run an Auskick Centre which likely will become a Junior Club. Also several other Western Region Junior Clubs play in the Sydney Harbour Region. Why I do not know -Footy politics or geography perhaps So the inference that there were no Junior Clubs in the GWS Zone is as usual on here incorrect. Junior Clubs are a very important part of the Aussie Rules structure. We have no actual playing numbers yet but it was thought that Sundays would improve the recruiting. Info taken from the Greater Sydney Juniors web site. These Junior Clubs will feed the Giants Academy who have 500 players on their books from all parts of their Zones. This is why the AFL is pouring the funds into NSW in a very planned way.We have to increase our presence - There are no other options. Some late news - Tom Harley has pulled the pin as Manager of AFL NSW/ACT, No mention yet of his replacement.
The_Wookie
Roar Guru
At this stage I have little interest in the NSW scene,. its covered well by the AFL and AFL NSW ACT. My focuses are elsewhere.
Ronny
Roar Rookie
Wookie, if you are interested in local Sydney football, red and white online http://www.redandwhiteonline.com/forum/forum.php can give you a bit of a idea of the local scene, bit slow of course ATM. Club in and outs, team nonimations etc, you would expect to see a jump in under 19 teams next year, due to the year extra in juniors the under 17's are having. The increase in team numbers next year, is due primarily to womens teams, however some new clubs are being considered as well, ( apparently) so maybe the local football scene will reach the 100 senior teams next year.
Ronny
Roar Rookie
http://www.begadistrictnews.com.au/story/1427324/bega-bombers-prepare-to-fly/ Finished the season in 5th place, great result for the new club, they have a good affinity with local indigenous community, similar to the Mogo Magic up at Batemans Bay.
Ronny
Roar Rookie
Yes i possibly should link it, my real point was actually highlighting the fact that under 18's does not exist anymore in Sydney, but now a under 19's, which makes or should make the transition to senior football easier for kids. It allows them a extra year in juniors, and a extra year to catch up physically, makes sense to me. Reading on another website, a couple of clubs would have nominated extra teams, but are concerned about a lack of volunteers, and have therefore gone cold on the idea. The real growth in Sydney football is not new clubs, but existing clubs nominating teams in lower divisons, Sydney Uni for ex has 5 senior teams, this seems to be the way it is going, rather than the traditional senior/reserves and under 19 club of 3 teams.
The_Wookie
Roar Guru
you really should link source material to begin with... 11 womens teams in 2012 to 16 in 2014 isnt a bad increase.
Ronny
Roar Rookie
Womens football joined AFL sydney a couple of years ago, before that, they ran their own comp, 16 teams have nominated for next year. I have added 17 under 19's, 16 womens, and 63 mens teams. 96 teams, like my comment above says. http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=1-1047-0-253014-0&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=26644756 The stats you have provioded, although correct, do not include womens football ( senior)
The_Wookie
Roar Guru
you can get this here - http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=1-1047-26748-203043-0&sID=86712&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=10564033
The_Wookie
Roar Guru
You've pulled the ladder for the premiership division and assumed thats all there is. Theres more if you click the little arrow next to Premiership Division at the top right. The 2012 Annual Report for AFL Sydney lists 23 actual clubs in the Sydney league, fielding 80 teams across 2 divisions of seniors and 2 divisions of under 18s and placing 3030 players on the park. 2011: 22 clubs, 78 teams, 2914 players 2010: 22 clubs, 71 teams, 2674 players 2009: 20 clubs, 68 teams, 2451 players 2008: 20 clubs, 63 teams, 2270 players 2007: 19 clubs, 62 teams, 2155 players.
Ronny
Roar Rookie
Oh FFS, why do you bother, that ladder of twelve teams you linked is the premier division, there are 5 ( five) divisions below it, there are also Sydney teams in NEAFL, there is also 2 divisions of womens football. ( use your mouse) The link you gave ( or tried to give) has nothing to senior football teams nominated, ( what i was posting ) it has to do with kids moving from community auskick to community club. You really don't know what you are talking about. The source, is actually the link you gave, please look a bit harder at it.
Storm Boy
Guest
Source??? There's only 12 in the whole of Sydney http://www.sportingpulse.com/comp_info.cgi?a=LADDER&compID=253014&c=1-1047-0-0-0 The document titled: “Community Australian Football in Sydney”, which was commissioned by AFL NSW/ACT. The Report basically said the AFL is spinning a positive story; but, the reality is different. Page 14 1. Western Sydney – The Reality versus Perception Gap “The reality is that junior club maturity and participation numbers appear to have stalled. There are 6% less junior/youth players in 2012 than in 2009. The perception, however, is that the game is growing well. This perception is supported by masking low junior club numbers with Auskick numbers (Club, School and Community Auskick) and school program numbers. This optimistic, bullish perception is needed to market the game, however this perception urgently needs to be underpinned by committed junior club participants.”
Ronny
Roar Rookie
A couple of positive things about football in NSW ...... A football club was formed in Bega, entering the Sapphire league, firsts and reserves, worked out well, as Batemans Bay left the nSapphire league and entered teams in the Canberra league in divi 2 and 3. Team nominations in Sydney senior football. 2009 76 teams 2010 80 teams 2011 88 teams 2012 90 teams 2013 91 teams 2014 96 teams. 2014 will see under the 18's become under 19's, primarily to make it easier for for the transition from juniors to seniors, but also juniors will now start up a under 17's comp, when in previous years they would make the transition from under 16's to senior football at under 18's. (if you can follow)
ciudadmarron
Guest
I don't know about the storm, I'm not a league fan. I don't doubt that there are NSW people at the Giants but if I were in charge i'd be putting them front and centre - I couldn't tell you who they are, and I read the giants press. The AFL are in charge of the whole thing - so they should have headhunted if no-one was available. I don't recall anyone saying that Blacktown wasn't western Sydney - if they were they need their heads read. Like I said, geographically it's good for the exisiting Aussie Rules folk - there's a big arc inside the Hawkesbury from Penrith right around to the upper north shore through the hills district where there has been a strongish comp for many years. Blacktown sits nicely there. This is why I said this kind of talk is futile (although I do enjoy it!). Part of the issue is the AFL have decided these things. More consultation would have been better. The FFA's input into the club was to appoint Gorman and run forums and consultation - colours, name, ground - all of this stuff was essentially decided by interested parties. Like I said, I understand the way that they recruited and it remains to be seen whether this will be effective or not - but it certainly didn't let them hit the ground running. I'm not sure how you can know what knowledge I have - I'm certainly not using RL propaganda because I don't follow league. If WSW were mid-table we'd be having the exact same conversation. I've been in that process from the beginning, and I believed in it last year when WSW hadn't won a game or scored a goal and we got 8000 to the Heart. I described it then as a slow burn. Thanks to Popa it ignited quicker than I ever could have imagined, but the way it was set up was brilliant and I'd say the same if we'd run dead last - I know it's words on a page but I speak the truth about myself. Homebush isn't a junction of railways, and most people I know hate it, loads of parking or no. The stadium is lovely, a great little ground. Did you see it before? It wasn't much different to what Blacktown is now, and the bits that were bigger got pulled down and replaced anyway. I don't get why money that went there couldn't have gone to Blacktown to make getting there and being there better. Western Sydney is crying out for infrastructure and things that will create hubs and it was a great opportunity. People might have complained about going all that way, but then they do about Homebush.
Ronny
Roar Rookie
Excellent post Dylan, enjoyng the game of RL , RU etc should not diminish your enjoyment of AF, and vice versa. There is no doubt that at some levels the codes are all seeking to improve their various positions in the market, but at other levels they also help each other, we have in Australia a very unique football situation, and we should attempt to enjoy it.
Storm Boy
Guest
Yikes. The ground was changed from Skoda to Giants because the AFL and GWS couldn't find a naming rights sponsor. Its correct name is the Sydney Showground. As for putting giants in all caps, straight from the GWS marketing office. I don't speak for all westies, nor do you. The proof is the tv ratings & empty orange seats for the giants games.
Dylan
Roar Pro
Storm Boy I have followed the roosters for as long as i can remember. My dad follows them. My uncle follows them. My grandad follows then. So therefore i had little choice in the matter. I have loved and followed the roosters my whole life. And in my eyes they are the greatest team in the NRL. And just for the sake of saying it, they are going to go back to back next year. You all heard it here first. This current team is unstoppable. With players like Minichello, Maloney, Jennigns, Cordner, Pearce, Waerea-Hargreaves, Tuivasa-Sheck, Tupou and Sonny Bill Williams no one can get past them. Not even Manly after four go attemps. Anyway with that out of the way Storm boy, I'd like to point out that I've been a founding member for the GWS Giants. Im not an ex-pat or anything like that. I'm from Mt Druitt. Born at Blacktown hospital, went to Graduated from Plumpton High School and attended Parramatta Uni. I am about as much as you can be a "Westie". Now as much as I love my NRL (I bleed red white and blue) I have always had an interest in that sport played down south of the boarder. When i heard that there was going to be a western sydney team i can't tell you how excited i was. And i have been to every home game, including canberrra home games, and have even travelled interstate to watch games with many mates, who are also from western sydney. Granted most of my mates arent into AFL as much as me but alot have gotten memberships for next year. THey are growing to love the game and the GIANTS as much as me. Now with regards to them playing at homebush. What is wrong with that. Its a 30 minute drive up the M4. Or just past Parramatta on the train. Its not hard to do. I travel much further to watch my Roosters side play a home game. many people for Mt Druitt and Doonside and Blacktown won't have an issue going up there. Espically when the only other alternative is going to Blacktown Oval at Olympic Park. that ground is pretty poor. And doesnt have the compasity to hold every one coming to the game. The hold NAB cup games there and unless you get there hours before kickoff you cannot get near the place. GIANTS Stadium is amazing. Have you seen it? It really is great. Id go as far as one of the nicest stadiums in the country. If you havent been to one of their games as GIANTS Stadium then you are missing out. The atmosphere is incredible. And this year when they start looking more competative the crowds will come and you will need to buy a membership to be able to get through the gates. The Rabbitohs play at Homebush and they are from Redfern. Tigers play some games there. Bulldogs play some home games there. Whats so wrong with the GIANTS playing home games there as well. In a stadium that was built just for them. Its even named after them. How many teams in Australian across any code can say that. NONE. People like you that winge about having travel more then down the road to see your team play, are what is wrong with the NRL. If more NSW NRL supporters had the passion that many AFL people have then the crowds would be through the roof. I would love to see the NRL be as strong as the AFL but the fact is that its not. And this is not coming from a person who was grown up with AFL. This is coming from a guy who is from Mt Druitt and love the NRL more than anything. Its the greatest game in the world. With AFL in my eyes being a very very close second. Before you decide to speak on behalf of everyone in Western Sydney why dont you have a look at yourself and then maybe go to a GIANTS home game. Have a look at the crowd that is full of people wearing the Orange and Charcoal. The people with their faces painted and wearing the guernseys. The hundreds of kids wearing their GIANTS members hats. The GIANTS are growing in Western Sydney. They arent growning with the rate of the WSW thats for sure but then youre talking about a team that came into the comp and made it to the grand final. In NSW thats what brings the crowds. Wait until you see the GIANTS start winning and then you will see the masses of crowds coming to GIANTS Stadium. Think before you start to dribble crap from your mouth mate. ,
ahmad
Guest
And still SB doesnt suggest where the Giants should play - anywhere but Homebush apparently Who said they were going to unite Western Sydney - some telegraph writer no doubt. Vlad was careful to say it gave people in WS a choice to add to their other sporting allegiances... You article is full of supposition and gossip - how did they big note themselves?? Where are the survey/census results of western Sydneys 2m people that you report. The ratepayers of Blacktown have AFL money in updating Blacktown which is used for cricket/AFL. To think they would play there permanently was fantasy...They have had big cricket games there since the facilities shave been upgraded. No RL in Vicotria before the Storm. Funny I remember Ribot talking about building on RL in Victoria since the 20s. You'll find that there are less adult RL teams in melbourne than 20 years ago.
Storm Boy
Guest
Oops ahmad. The Storm didn't go to a part of Melbourne and tell everyone they were coming to unite the region for the first time blah blah blah. No Victorians in the Storm set up? Wow. No RL in Victora before the Storm may explain that. The Giants could call on AFL having been played for 130 years in Sydney & plenty of AFL people from the southern border regions of NSW. As for where the Giants should be playing if they were true to their ideal of uniting western Sydney? Not my problem. Maybe they should have done exactly what the Storm did & just start quietly without big noting themselves & AFL.You can talk up Homebush all you like but the people of the Druitt and Doonie gave up listening a long time ago & aren't going to travel to the inner city. Tell me I'm wrong if you want, but it won't change the reality. The Giants and AFL ratted out on Blacktown & deserve no sympathy for the mess they are now in. A battle of the bridge over Pyrmont has no interest at all for Sydney's westies.
ahmad
Guest
Ah yes the Titans the only football club in the world where the owner is a mystery....
ahmad
Guest
Thanks for clearing up the WSW ticket issue. I ask SB where the Giants should play and nothing AFL people at the giants - plenty. There are signiifcant NSW people in the hierachy but guess what when the Storm went to melbourne all the hierachy were visitors Anderson, Ribot, all the players etc When the Storm were at princess park did people say that doesnt represent melbouren. The best NSW AFL people are already at the Swans or NSW/ACT AFL..Paul kelly was a Giants staff for a while... When the Giants were at Blacktown people claimed that wasn't western Sydney - how can they win?? The name song, colours,recruitment all came from internal to the Giants with AFL oversight becuase they are supplying the money. The FFA owns the WSW - they didnt have similar input into the club??? The AFL takes years because there was no free agency at the time and have to build their team from drafting kids.. The Soccer crowd had a player market boosted by 2 failed franchises.and obviously a world wide market... The rest of your complaints are from someone on the outside with no knowledge of the inner workings and RL propaganda bearing little relationship to the truth or a competitor just trying to run down a possible opponent. If WSW were mid table this conversation would be very different Homebush has parking, facilities, the junction of railway networks and a great ground. Do you think the RAS and State Govt would put more money into blacktown where there is little hope of other use in off season . RAS ground gets plenty of use because its a hub...