Giants finally spark 'Battle for the Bridge' rivalry

I was sitting in the front row at Spotless Stadium when the heavens opened up.

I turned to my father and jokingly asked “do you reckon it’s an omen?”

I don’t believe in superstition.

I believe good footy wins matches. Forget the wooden spoon. The Giants are out to beat your very expectations.

And they’re poised to do it in spectacular fashion.

First thing I need to get out in the air: yes, I am a Sydney Swans supporter.

And yes I was draped in red and white yesterday before being doused in rainwater too. But that’s not to say I don’t support the Giants.

The rivalry between Sydney and GWS isn’t the same as the Power and the Crows.

Besides the 2013 off-field drama involving a certain high profile free agent has reinforced the relationship between these two teams is being akin to one of big brother and little brother.

Little Brother would attempt to prove he is tougher than his older sibling and Big Brother would put Little Brother back in his place.

I enjoyed the company of our fellow Sydney sider. I own a GWS guernsey and it is signed by the 2013 team. I attempt to go to a few Giants games per year.

I don’t live in Sydney but as a New South Welshmen I know how hard it is to be a supporter of the AFL in a rugby dominated state.

And I enjoy giving the AFL’s newest club as much support as I can without being labelled a ‘traitor’ by my fellow Blood compadres.

Yesterday the Swans were not beaten. They were demoralised.

And the little brother mentality I once had for the GWS Giants quickly faded. Andrew Demetriou recently stated that it was of his opinion the ‘Battle of the Bridge’ could become the biggest rivalry in the AFL.

Surpassing the Western Derby and resembling a rivalry similar to the EPL’s Manchester City and Manchester United.

I rolled my eyes at this notion when it first appeared in the paper but now I honestly believe it to be true.

We always knew the Giants would one day beat the Swans but no one could have predicted it happening in 2014.

The 17,000+ people in attendance at Spotless Stadium were on the edge of their seats. I’m glad they moved the game out of ANZ Stadium where it had been held in the past.

Olympic Park captures the roar of the crowed and as the game intensified so did the noise.

The only sporting event I can compare it to is the clash between Sydney FC and the Western Sydney Wanderers.

The game wasn’t a sellout but in the final term you could convince a blind man it was. It was absolutely electrifying stuff (lightning pun intended).

After the Game 1 was gutted. Social media was ablaze with GWS statuses.

My Facebook wall was hit by Fremantle, Collingwood and Essendon fans alike, throwing in their two cents on the game and the Lance Franklin debacle.

I am a frequent contributor to the AFL Reddit where such lines as “Who won the Brett Kirk Medal?” were responded by the quick witted with “Sportsbet”.

The rivalry had begun and it was being fuelled by outsiders.

Friends who I’m certain have never watched an AFL game in their entire life began liking the GWS Facebook page.

Tweets were being posted about the team and their fantastic come from behind victory. It’s the sort of stuff the GWS advertising department dream of.

The Swans are still a premiership contender no doubt. This was a speed bump at the beginning of a long journey.

But as a Sydney Swans supporter the future of the Giants is both terrifying and exciting.

Imagine the damage they will wreak with a massive forward line, fast paced midfield and strengthened backs. Josh Hunt will retire soon but yesterday proved the GWS rookies can hold their own.

The Giants will continue to grow and recruit strongly. It’s only upwards from here.

In Round 2 the Giants will face St Kilda and the betting lines will most certainly have them as favourites.

The following week they face the only team they were able to defeat last year in Melbourne. Forget the wooden spoon.

The GWS Giants are aiming for a three from three start to the 2014 season. It won’t be long until we’re asking ‘when will the Giants win their first premiership?’. And us Swans supporters? We will be shaking in our seats at the very mention of ANZAC Bridge.