The Greater Western Sydney Giants are aptly named. Since their beginnings, they have been given a giant bank account, giant assistance in early draft picks, and in the space of five quick years, a giant chance of their first AFL premiership.
Compare this to the Western Bulldogs, a team that came so close to achieving the ultimate goal, but lost to eventual winners Adelaide by two points in the 1997 preliminary final, and to the same team the following year (by a much bigger margin).
Fast forward to the 2009 season where the Bulldogs lost to St Kilda at the same stage and – in an almost recurring nightmare – went down to St Kilda again the following year, at the same stage.
This run of exits and the feel of being ‘battlers’ has resulted in the Bulldogs being ‘everyone’s second-favourite team’.
The battlers from the west, armed with characters such as Doug Hawkins and Bob Murphy, have won one flag since 1954. Then there was that dramatic trade period where their coach was sacked and their best player left, and an awful run of luck with injury this year.
All these factors have pulled at our heart strings and created a dramatic backdrop to the Doggies’ rise.
These two teams will battle it out on Saturday night in the preliminary game to move through to the 2016 AFL grand final.
Add the multiple connections between the two clubs – the Ryan Griffen, Callan Ward, Tom Boyd playing connection or Leon Cameron being an ex-Bulldog – and the history creates further intrigue.
When the inevitable conversations occur about who wins on Saturday night, many neutral supporters will have a soft spot for the Bullies and lead with their heart. The emotional connection football supporters have with the Bulldogs may be even stronger, as they are up against the side that has been heavily supported by the AFL.
But over that second latte and on the same conversation, you might find yourself leading with your head. You may start thinking that with GWS playing on their own track, in red-hot form, and a week off, mixed with the Bulldogs playing in two highly charged and energetic games, with a trip across the Nullabor, highlights many reasons why the bookies have the Giants as favourite.
Saturday night will be a passionate and energetic contest between two clubs making a charge towards the final dance.
Both your heart and your head are vital components of the human body. Which will you follow?
Raimond
Roar Guru
GWS had a harder schedule than Hawthorn this year imo.
Don Freo
Guest
I'm barracking for Rhys Palmer. Should still be a Docker (It's why Mark Harvey deserved to go). My heart says Bullies and my head says Bullies. Bullies to win but I want Rhys to cut down Johanissen's rebound and kick 3 or 4 goals. Not too much to ask.
TomC
Roar Guru
Pretty harsh. Each of those three teams have come pretty close in the last twenty years.
Cat
Roar Guru
Saints, Dees and Dogs fans have no right to blame the Giants. GWS have been around for 5 years but those 3 teams have sucked for decades and decades and decades. It is convenient they now have an excuse for their continued futility, but the reality is it is just a continuation in a long line of failures.
Tricky
Guest
That's your opinion and I doubt that there'd be no one that cares (ask any saints, dees or dogs supporter right now), I'm just stating what is - not biased one way or the other. You're right premierships don't have an * next to them but it cannot be denied and will always be remembered for what it is and giants if successful the same.
TomC
Roar Guru
Umpired by former Hawthorn coach and player Peter Schwab's father. The plot thickens...
Paul D
Roar Guru
Standard VFL croaker. No-one cares. Premierships don't have asterixes next to them.
Tricky
Guest
Perfect analogy!
Tricky
Guest
Not about approval it is what it is a combination of 2 teams with concessions on top - this was as is now the intention or wish of the AFL to have successful home grown (created) teams in non traditional states - good for the game in my view BUT it doesn't hold merit as it would if the dogs were to go all the way
Tricky
Guest
"Fact, of the 8th finalists in the first week, they weren’t the youngest (Bulldogs were substantially younger) and they were more experienced than Sydney, Dogs and Crows" Exactly it's experience that matters, you could argue that Collingwood are similar demographically as the dogs and giants but are deplorable because they're years behind playing together (inexperienced). You could even look at Carlton they're an older team but if I were a betting man not as "experienced" as the giants
Paul D
Roar Guru
I'm sure Michael Voss is just devastated to hear you don't approve.
Tricky
Guest
Dogs all the way! if the giants win it's invalid unfortunately as was the bris 3 peat
Rhys Adams
Roar Rookie
Thanks for the conversation. It's the wonderful side of Sport that captivates us, the unknown. Just talking to Football fans this week, most are excited that either side getting through to the GF will be great. Some other side then Hawthorn. The great unknown of how much of a loss will Steve Johnson be? Can Roughead match up against Mumford? As Dave commented, does the two weeks of constant Grand Final conversation impact the Giants? There are many connotations for the GF to take and certainly many 'good stories' to potentially come: Giants vs Cats - Steve Johnson Sydney vs Giants - All Sydney final Dogs getting to the final after their challenging year Can't wait.
clipper
Guest
This says it all 'as a league fan I utterly despise everything AFL' Wouldn't have mattered how, when or what the AFL did to set out a team there, McNaulty and those with that mindset wouldn't spouted the same rhetoric. The ironic thing is this attitude has focused all the league hate on the AFL and allowed the WSW a free ride out there without any opposition to the point where a lot of posters on the roar are noting there are more Soccer shirts out west now that league shirts and the opening Sydney Derby looks like it will get far more to it that any league match in the finals (minus GF). They should realise that there was no threat to league from AFL out there - different demographics at the moment. As for converting Melbourne AFL people to Storm fans - if they can only manage a 5% rise in crowds in almost 20 years after continually getting to the finals - good luck with that!
Bruce
Guest
So the Suns are OK because they are not winning but if they start to win well the AFL has bankrolled them. The NRL shoe horn Hayne to help the GC Titans and NSW against Qld which apparently is OK and the A league assist Melbourne City to get Tim Cahill and that's OK too to boost the League....Bizarre,
Bruce
Guest
Its interesting - NRL fans complain about Folau yet NRL have taken hundreds of RUnion players over the years weakening the Wallabies - how hypocritical>??
dave
Guest
Everyone said the giants would fail under finals pressure but the first final isn't really the same as a prelim. Now they have had 2 weeks of thousands of people commenting on them,saying they can't lose,gifted the flag etc. This is their first real taste of finals pressure against a team that majority of australia wants to win. If they can win and go to a gf. Regardless of afl concessions i will take my hat off for these young blokes being able to withstand the pressure of a prelim final so early in their careers. Coming from interstate with a low supporter base would make that accomplishment all the more sweeter. Anyone who thinks doggies are underdogs is kidding themselves. Good luck to both teams.
Raimond
Roar Guru
If the Giants go down on Saturday, then the season overall has still exceeded expectations. The haters would have had their meltdowns essentially for no reason. This relaxed attitude is based somewhat on the condition that the Bulldogs go on and win the flag. If they were to capitulate in the big one then their drought can last 162 years for all I care.
Bruce
Guest
people have short memories - last year they were saying GWS was a sham - now they are going to shatter the League - remember how the Storm and Sydney FC were granted lots of concessions to make sure they were successful early
Redb
Roar Guru
lol you can smell the fear with this one. If Vic AFL fans became disgruntled they would follow their VFL team.