The GWS Giants have been a surprise packet in 2016, with many pundits starting to consider them as genuine premiership contenders. They’ve started the season with six wins from their eight matches, which is a much-improved effort considering their recent history.
For those not familiar with the club, the Giants debuted in the AFL competition proper in 2012, recording only two victories all season. 2013 was much of the same, with the Giants losing their first 17 games in a row. The Western Sydney side have never made the finals, and have struggled with crowd figures in recent times, but 2016 may just be the year that all changes.
The Giants have been superb all over the park this season, with a high scoring offence and a strangling defence being key areas of their game. Their early success has even resulted in them embarrassing last year’s premiers Hawthorn by more than 12 goals in front of a healthy 13,766 home crowd.
The Giants currently sit third on the AFL ladder, sitting proudly ahead of their much bigger brothers the Sydney Swans. The side is full of exciting youth, and is building for big things this year and beyond. As of Round 8, GWS have outscored every other AFL club, averaging a whopping 114 points per game.
They play an exciting brand of football, showcased last weekend by a goal scored where the ball traveled the length of the field in under 20 seconds. Do yourself a favour and get out to a game sometime soon – the product is entertaining and the Giants always host a family-friendly event.
There is no doubt the AFL has invested wisely in Western Sydney. With the Giants succeeding, the AFL female youth league underway and a healthy academy system in place, the future looks bright.
With the season now in full swing, GWS will now turn their attention to this weekend, when they host the fifth placed Western Bulldogs. The stern test is scheduled for a 3:20pm start on what is tipped to be a pleasant autumn day.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Speaking of parochial newspapers, here's the Wagga paper in defence of the giants' academy: http://www.dailyadvertiser.com.au/story/3892912/riverina-riding-on-the-shoulders-of-giants/
Mister Football
Roar Guru
The author has just said that he wrote if for a local newspaper. I remember my local suburban newspapers well: The Mail and The Advertiser (Footscray) - and they were staunchly pro-Footscray, as you would expect. Interestingly, I heard a special on Radio National the other day, and they said there were two newspapers that had defied the current trend of dwindling newspapers, they were The Geelong Advertiser and the Gold Coast paper - both editors were interviewed and they were not backward in saying that their success was in part to do with being staunchly parochial.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
True enough PD, but our injury list is starting to become a long one, so maybe it's not a true reflection of where we are at. Re Leon, I agree with you, I never would have thought he could make it as a coach - he was a terrific player, but I never saw him as much of a communicator or motivator, but he appears to be doing well with the giants.
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
there will be plenty at the SCG too
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
mds, it's a pity Griffin and T.Boyd aren't playing, because that would add an extra degree of spice to the match. Leon Cameron has surprised me with how well he is managing GWS. Good on him. But I'm really looking forward to seeing how both young teams go - I reckon it's a good test of which team is more ready mentally to achieve this year, and whoever wins will likely finish higher on the ladder.
mds1970
Roar Guru
Good article. And fit for purpose - the Giants have made significant on-field improvement and they put on a good match-day experience; and the people that go on Sunday should see some entertaining footy. And hopefully another Giants win.
Paul W
Guest
Unfortunately you still have Callan Ward :-)
Sami
Roar Rookie
No one said there wouldn't be.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
This reads like an ad for attending Giants games.
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
and to point out this was an article for the local newspaper out west that I work for, not intended to insult anyones AFL intelligence on here
johnny smith
Guest
there will be plenty of spots at spotless stadium
Sami
Roar Rookie
If you go to the SCG you'll miss the game, it's at Spotless ;)
Mustafa
Guest
Long time, passive AFL supporter who has never attended a match at SCG. Looking forward to finally getting to a Giants' match. Just been waiting for them to improve to a reasonable level.
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
besides tonight it's game of the round for sure. It's refreshing to hear you all speaking positively about the Giants and the game, good stuff!
Mister Football
Roar Guru
I"ve got some long time Footscray mates driving up in a convoy - they invited me, but I'm sort of over long road trips personally. I"m looking forward to watching the game on TV.
johnny smith
Guest
The crowd will be the same as it is every week roughly about 4000 and will be this way for ever
mds1970
Roar Guru
I'm hoping we'll get 5-figures - I'll be disappointed if we don't. It's a slow build crowd-wise. We all know that. But we keep working away at it; and anyone who does go will have a great afternoon at the footy. It's a very family-friendly vibe at the Giants games; and you'll notice plenty of kids there.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
mds What are you expecting crowd wise this weekend? Is it fair to say this is the first time in the Giants' history that they have been part of the match of the round?
mds1970
Roar Guru
The word that keeps coming up is "exciting". And it's apt for the footy they play. They back themselves in every contest. It's a fast-moving and free-flowing game plan, with the midfield an orange tsunami that sweeps the ball forward to numerous forward targets. It's taken a few years, a lot of development work and plenty of beltings along the way to get it right. It's a great time to be a Giants supporter. For the rest of the league, there's no easy pickings at Spotless Stadium any more. I'll be there on Sunday; looking forward to a challenge against the Western Bulldogs. Ryan Griffen won't be playing for us & Tom Boyd won't be playing for them; but there's still plenty of rivalry in this contest. Here Come The Giants!!!