There are few more friendly ‘away’ trips than the 10-minute walk in the park awaiting Greater Western Sydney in week one of the AFL finals.
Sydney negotiated an early exit from their ANZ Stadium deal earlier this year, allowing the club to play all of its 2016 home games at the SCG.
But that agreement didn’t cover finals, which are hosted by the league.
The AFL-brokered agreement last week dictated the Swans could play their finals at the SCG with the exception of a potential derby final.
It means ANZ Stadium is where the two sides will meet on Saturday week, even though Sydney won the minor premiership.
The ground is a 10-minute stroll from the Giants’ training base at Sydney Olympic Park and also their home deck Spotless Stadium.
“It’s only across the road from Spotless so it’s not too far for us … hopefully they (GWS and Sydney fans) pack it out,” GWS’s Devon Smith beamed.
“We haven’t played there for a while and a few of our boys would never have played there.
“I don’t think Sydney have played a game there this year.
“It probably brings things back to level pegging.”
The Giants beat Sydney at Spotless Stadium in round 12 this year by 42 points, while the Swans recorded a 25-point win over GWS at the SCG in round three.
Smith was full of respect for the Swans, who topped the ladder after a stellar campaign that featured only five losses.
“They’ve been in great form and they’re a great team,” he said.
“One of their strengths is their contested footy. They’ve got about four or five big bulls (in the midfield).
“But in saying that our best is as good as anyone’s, so bring it on.”
The 23-year-old made it clear that confidence wouldn’t be an issue for GWS in their maiden finals campaign.
“We’re ready, we can’t wait,” Smith said.
“With such a young and exciting group we are going to take the game on, it’s one of our biggest strengths.
“We’ve got a lot of confident young boys and we’re really looking forward to it.
“Who knows how far we can go.”
harry houdini
Roar Rookie
Cheers
Johnny Banter
Guest
Yep that's correct that area is the most important measurement of ground size. The SCG is over 1700sqm larger than ANZ. Pocket depth is an interesting one that some commentators choose to harp on about, but in reality it's only the very skinny grounds that have shallow pockets. The bigger cricket grounds tend to have deeper pockets due to their width.
Tim Holt
Roar Guru
I miss games at the Lake Oval
Birdman
Guest
maybe the Swans should move back to South Melb if you think the MCG is too much of an advantage on GF day. It looks to be me that some Swans supporters are already phoning in their excuses if they lose to a Melb club in the final this year - the G! it's a conspiracy! call me a wah-wha-whambulance!
michael RVC
Roar Pro
Yeah, and some numb-nut Hawks supporter on this site is still carping about a one day break advantage the Swans got over the Hawks leading in to the 2012 GF. Swans had to play at Hawks HG on that occasion as well. Hawks should be playing at SS this week, and they would get cained.
michael RVC
Roar Pro
Dav, you are geographically correct. But it's the symbolism stupid. Small issue, let's move on.
harry houdini
Roar Rookie
http://www.freebookiebets.com.au/afl_football_grounds.htm That is what i looked at, pre the lengthening the SCG from a couple of years ago. At one stage the 50 m arcs went into the centre square at the SCG. Total area would be more reliable than just length and width, some boundary lines can produce deep pockets etc .
Johnny Banter
Guest
Then you were wrong. After the redevelopments the SCG is larger than grounds such as Etihad and Adelaide Oval. ANZ is 5m longer than the SCG, but much, much narrower. It's a 360 degree sport and ANZ is comfortably the smallest ground in the competition.
harry houdini
Roar Rookie
I was comparing it to the SCG. Don't agree with that, the absolute surface area at the SCG because of very wide wings may be bigger ( i dont know ) but ANZ is about 10 metres longer, doesn't sound much, but it adds plenty more running up and down rather than side to side movement, which is usually strategically based rather than hard gut running. The Swans don't get lost on the wings at the SCG like other sides do, so IMO may struggle at ANZ
Johnny Banter
Guest
Big ground? Smallest playing area in the competition..
Davico
Roar Pro
Which Bridge are you talking about? The Iron Cove? Gladesville? I have lived here a long time and I have NEVER heard of the divide between the Greater West and Sydney being the Sydney Harbour Bridge! The North and South maybe....
Republican
Guest
I wonder how many of the 50% of Giant membership will bother to make the journey from Canberra?
mds1970
Roar Guru
Meanwhile Geelong are playing a home final against the Hawks on Hawthorn's home ground and no-one bats an eyelid. It won't be the venue that decides this game. Finals are a whole new ball game and it's uncharted territory for the Giants. I reckon we'll give it a shake. Swans will be hard to beat but don't write the Giants off.
Paul D
Roar Guru
That’s interesting – I didn’t watch the Wallabies (who still does) but that is the worst case scenario isn’t it, someone does a knee because they slip on the surface. And if Cat is right about the deal with the stadium this will more than likely be the last game at ANZ.
swift foetus
Guest
that Bledisloe cup game had a few scrum resets where the ref mentioned bad footing on the surface. Even resorted to moving the scrum at least once due to bad surface. my prediction is = both sides take multiple injuries away from this game. never play at anz ever again
josh
Guest
It's not a Sydney Derby, it's a battle of the bridge.
AR
Guest
From what I can see, there is one NRL game due to be played on Friday, 2 Sep (Cant v Souths) and then no other games until Sat, 10 Sep.
harry houdini
Roar Rookie
They have roughly 2 weeks, not sure if another NRL game will be played before then.
Cat
Roar Guru
This should be the final year of having to deal with ANZ, IIRC.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Be interested to see if the surface of the arena impacts on the quality of the game. It’s just had a Bledisloe cup game played on it, not to mention all the league that’s been going on. This ANZ stadium deal is the hydra that just keeps coming back. Can’t wait till it’s finished for good and it’s transformed into a purely rectangular stadium and AFL never has to return. All codes will benefit.