The Giants can beat the Swans in 2014

Allan, GWS has more chance of a flag next year than Gold Coast United, the Western Reds, the Adelaide Rams or the North Sydney Bears. Yep. It's going to be a long hard slog ... but the club has had a major success in re-signing most of the good young kids, signing one of the AFL's quality free agents and acquiring one of the better half-back flankers. Sydney's a town that cares only when you win. Off the field, GWS is in better shape than the rabble at Parramatta, for a start.

Soccer didn't ride the coattails, that would imply GWS has had even the slightest success. Which it hasn't.

Not a chance. Many teams Essendon included didn't come out to pay until it mattered against the Giants. It happens against weak teams sometimes. When the game had to be won, I think the margin was over 6 goals. The Giants might win 3 games in 2014 but it wont be against the Swans or any other top 8 side.

Liked your WSW comparison Jorji, but I'd wager A-League is more 4th tier given ADP is 38 going on 40 at Sydney but still marquee. The WSW success last year really hurt the GWS aspirations, but I'd like to offer a different take on proceedings. The AFL targeted western Sydney for a decade re junior development before any HQ announcements of placing a team there. By 2011, AFL had already sunk 15-20m into the project/war chest (+Skoda stadium). This increased in '12 with the team's inaugural season, training facilities, clubrooms, football dept, marketing etc. In short, a massive investment was deemed apt by the AFL in western Sydney. In comparison, A-League wound up its 5k crowd Gold Coast United, and insituted WSW into a 'begging-for-crowd' Parramatta Stadium and advertised internationally for the 4th tier players. Instant team + crowd, just add water. There was very little risk as the A-League could see how much western Sydney meant to the AFL. So the soccer rode the coat-tails of the AFL into WS during 2012. Instead of the constant comparison to WSW 18k crowds, GWS needs to focus on its 8k foothold in Canberra, and its 10k av at Skoda, which are equal to NRL Penrith and A-L Glory, Reds, Mariners. As AR said above, GWS just has to keep building on its crowd base, its memberships, and recruiting senior players, before it becomes a force to be reckoned with. By 2016, I'm imagining GWS with 20k members, 18k crowds and being competitive with Swans. Rest is history.

Swans are Premiership threats, probably the most along with Fremantle for next year. No chance but definitely closer.

No chance against the Swans; however, I am expecting the Giants to get over the line a few times if they rest their best players for the previous weekend's match. A week off does give you more energy for the game following the week after.

A lot will be talked about the two Sydney teams in 2014, no doubt. GWS have instilled some much-needed experience into its line-up as they try to avoid the disaster that was this year, in which they only won one game (against Melbourne). Mumford, Shaw, Hunt and Addison are key arrivals at the Giants and they will help to lift the club off the foot of the ladder. Sydney, meanwhile, have landed the biggest full-forward in the game today (Buddy) and there is no doubt that the Swans' premiership window will remain wide open. Horse has done a great job in keeping the Swans in premiership contention when it was thought their successful era (think Roos, Kirk, Hall and Barry) was going to come to a close. But no, the Swans kept improving and their 2012 flag proves just that. I'll be surprised if Sydney don't finish 2014 in the top four. As for the Giants, trying to move out of the top four will be their main goal for next season, without a doubt. If the Suns could do it in their third year, then why can't the Giants do so.

Patience is beginning to wear thin. But unless the established teams were prepared to just hand over talent this is the only way they could do it quicker. It is a completely different situation to the soccer. The WSW could cherry pick talent and the bar of the Aussie league is pretty low. Being about third tier standards by global scale. Not exactly a problem rounding up 3rd level soccer players when it is played all over the world. AFL is too hard a competition to just come along and make it happen, the talent pool for the top league is not great. You actually have to build the house on solid foundations and the league is doing this. They did the WSW model with the Bears in 87. That ultimately fell in a heap and they had to go back to the tried and tested path in the end. Short term the Giants is not doing well and could be argued a bit of a joke. But the league is thinking long, long term. This club will still be there when other entire leagues come and go. Think NBL, NSL, baseball, rugby comps. BBL's etc. Cannot see them make finals anytime in the next 2 seasons, but after that it really is like the other clubs. The skill of their recruiting, development of talent, keeping players from injury and happy and ultimately kicking more points than is kicked against them. There is no formula for success other than hard work. Up to the Giants now.

I have a mate in Canberra who is only a casual sport fan at best. He went along to a Giants game and had similar sentiments, though not articulated quite as hilariously.

I wish I could take credit for it. It was one of the first things my mate Reece said when he saw the Giants alongside their opponents.

Haha, don't put coin on the Giants to win. Their midfield is lacking a lot compared to the Swans, plus the Swans' forward line *should* completely overwhelm most defences in the league. If Franklin gets shut down, then Tippett will get a bag. Shut Tippett down too and Reid will get a bag. Good luck, Giants. Regards, Swans supporters #banter

"Like a bunch of kids doing work experience" That is one of the funniest things I've read on the roar for some time. That comment should have it's own 'ha'

They *can* beat the Swans, but they won't - not next year. On-field, the Giants have been a young development team to date, and hopefully in 2014, they can emulate the Suns' 3rd year. But the Swans are a Premiership contender - their little brother is some way off them yet. Off-field, the single best thing about the Giants in 2014 is that they're playing the Swans at their home ground, Skoda. Fill the stands, show people a good contest in a fantastic stadium and continue to build the Giants as a club.

Like the optimistic tone of the article- would love to see it happen in 2014 but it will happen in the next few years for sure. In 2014 the playing group looks a much better balance with the addition of some older players like Shaw, Mumford and Hunt. Last season there were not enough older players and at times it showed. The return of Patton is effectively a new player as well given how early his season was over this year. The Giants v Swans game in round 1 is looking like being a great way of starting the new season for NSW. Sensibly the game is being played at the Giants stadium rather than the soulless ANZ. The atmosphere at Giants stadium should be great with a big crowd expected. Giants Stadium is a surprisingly nice stadium and the AFL have done well in helping to build such a nice venue for the Giants.

I've been attending GWS for the past 2 years here in Canberra. I've managed to rope in a mate of mine who previously had only ever watched Rugby League. Over the past 2 years, he's described the Giants as looking like a bunch of kids doing 'work experience', I can't say that I can disagree with him. BUT, he's seen enough of the Giants to know their potential and be excited about 2014, there's a feeling about this team for 2014, another pre-season, and some experienced players, we'll both be buying memberships for 2014. I think that an appropriate analogy is when I hit about 14yrs old. All of a sudden I found myself bigger and stronger than my older brother. I could hold my own when he tried to knuckle me. Let's just say, I think that the Giants are 'hitting puberty' as a team.

Yes we will be far more competitive in 2014. Not sure about the wins though since we have to build a TEAM. Watching all GWS home games over past two years it is clear that opponents have had that experience of working as team units for years and our fellows remain a bunch of talented individuals. Also, we have to ensure that Mumford gets on the field. More options not mentioned - Adam Treloar!, Rory Lobb (alternative ruck and tall forward), Kristian Jakasch (potential defender?), Curtly Hampton developing as a running rebound defender, Will Hoskinn Elliot and Liam Sumner quick small forwards, Smith and Tomlinson capable forwards. And then with Leon Cameron we might focus on that teamwork. Sheedy was EXCELLENT in getting the boys to man up but we need some better team coordination etc. The talent is there we just need the development. I think latter half of 2014 will see the Giants lift (barring injuries to Mumford and co).