This year has been an interesting one for New South Wales’ two AFL teams. Perhaps most importantly for both, it isn’t over yet.
I set out the high and lowlights that we have experienced this year.
Both of the NSW AFL teams have had good years.
The senior partner, the Swans, have won both derbies and ended up sixth compared with the Giants’ seventh. It is unlikely that either of them will reach the grand final but if they do that – or even win it – it will be amazing.
Swans
Players: The Swans have blooded a number of exciting youngsters both in attack and defence and their record of qualifying for the semis will continue in the next few years.
Coach: John Longmire fits the club’s culture like a glove. He is modest, steady and understated and is greatly underrated as a strategist and a man manager. His win-loss record is among the best in the league. Never goes berserk in a press conference.
Administration: One matter that doesn’t receive great publicity is the administration of the club under the steady hands of Andrew Ireland, Tom Hardy and the leadership group.
The culture of the club and its reputation not only in NSW but over Australia is envied by all.
High points: Young talent coming through the ranks, a never-say-die attitude, Buddy Franklin, the Sydney crowd and solid recruiting.
Low points: Injuries to key players at important times which led to inconsistent results, lack of scoring that affected their percentage.
Overall rating 8 out of 10
The Swans and the Giants (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)
What is needed? Sam Reid fit for more than a few games and a few more key position forwards.
Giants
Players: When most of the Giants’ players are fit they are almost unbeatable.
Their form at the start of the season was irresistible, but two or three major injuries each game slowly weakened them and resulted in a seventh-place finish when the top four beckoned.
With their amount of talent, they underachieved and at times looked a little clueless.
Coach: Leon Cameron as one of the young gun coaches had a pretty good year and I am sure was truly tested with many of his super players unavailable.
I am sure that given the next two or three years he will be up among the best coaches.
Administration: Again, steady and conservative under Dave Matthews. The club can only go forward. A grand final is expected within five years.
High points: A list to die for – or maybe to trade for – and brilliant performances.
Low points: They should have done better with the talent they have. Their small home crowds are a problem and could stifle the growth of the club.
Overall rating 7 out of 10.
What they need? Good health and success will inevitably come.
Aligee
Roar Rookie
No, it is not on the nose, if we are talking the Swans V GWS, they had 40k at the game 109k on saturday arvo FTA in Sydney and a % (unknown) watching in Sydney out of national total of 369k on Foxtel So probably around 220k either at the game or watching in Sydney. At grass roots level i note Sydney junior AFL claims in excess of 15,000 juniors playing CLUB footy in Sydney this year, that is a huge increase in the last couple of years, clubs in the Eastern Suburbs have run out of grounds and cant keep up, an article was put out recently talking about using the interior of Randwick Racecourse for grounds. Swans last game may be on the nose though.
clipper
Roar Rookie
Did you not read my or Aligee's post - this is the SCG, not the MCG - you can't fit more people in than the capacity - even with a drizzly day, the ground was full. Yes, it wasn't a good game to watch, or even close - imagine the ratings if it had been. 109k in Sydney (more than Adelaide) on a Sat afternoon plus a share of 384k on Fox, so no, I don't think AFL is on the nose in our all code city.
SportsMan
Guest
@clipper Who cares what the NRL crowd and their ticket price are! I'm talking about the Swans v GWS at the SCG who play in the AFL. It was the biggest game of AFL in Sydney this year. (It was a terrible game to watch also) Swans should have sold it out in the first few day. Melbourne had two 90,000 plus crowds in a row. Is AFL on the nose in The Harbour City?
clipper
Roar Rookie
Try again SportsMan - they can't fit more people than the stadium capacity - next door the Roosters could only manage 24k in a similar capacity stadium, made even worse considering they only paid half of Swans tickets were. It should be noted that the AFL was the most watched show nation wide on Friday - think that's the first time outside the GF that's happened, with OK figures in Sydney considering no Sydney team was involved.
Aligee
Roar Rookie
You are probably getting your stadiums confused, SCG has not fitted 60,000 in it for 50 or so years, ANZ does though!, 40,000 fans who pay a dam sight more than NRL finals tickets is pretty good. Australian footy might never be the biggest game in Sydney but ATM it has a fair following.
SportsMan
Guest
From over 60,000 at the last all Sydney final to 40,000. With very, very poor TV ratings last night in Sydney. Is AFL on the nose in The Harbour City? Melbourne had two 90,000 plus crowds in a row with massive TV rating. Is it worth all the money the AFL spend? Just saying.
IAP
Guest
They were ahead of their time.
Aligee
Roar Rookie
They may look Brady Bunch- ish colours, but Hawthorn have had the same jumper since 1950 at least. Interesting site ...... https://www.footyjumpers.com/1897.htm I have no doubt that GWS will change, most clubs do.
IAP
Guest
That's a great way to put it Paul. They still have the opportunity to rescue it though - Freo managed to do it when they dropped the anchor and the green and red patches. It's a shame they didn't drop their song at the same time, but it's a good start. Maybe GWS can drop the stylised "G" and change charcoal grey to black or something. Instead of almost ripping off Wests Tigers they could rip them off properly.
IAP
Guest
Yep. Hawthorns colours are straight out of the 1970's, but GWS's colours are just horrible.
Paul D
Roar Guru
GWS will always look like a team that crawled out of a marketing meeting They could win 8 flags and people would still say they've got no soul
Aligee
Roar Rookie
What!!, GWS colours are worse than the wees and poos of Hawthorn ?.
IAP
Guest
Sydney have been as boring as usual, other than Bud. GWS are great to watch when they have all their players, but they're still as hateable as ever, and they're still a plastic club with no fans and the ugliest colours ever.
Aligee
Roar Rookie
I thought GWS had a real shot this year - injuries though!. Sydney as usual is just a hard, tough, disciplined unit who just keep on keeping on. I have said it before but the game of Australian football is at its strongest across NSW in its history, the growth of club mens, womens and junior football in Sydney, Newcastle, and even the north and far north coast in NSW has been huge, the reinvigoration of footy in Canberra and surrounds and that is due in no small part to Sydney and GWS's success.