GWS chief executive Dave Matthews is taking no delight in 16th-placed Sydney’s slide down the AFL ladder, also suggesting it’s too early to rule a line through the Swans’ season.
Sydney’s hopes of a 10th consecutive finals berth are in dire straits after a 41-point loss to the Giants last Saturday.
John Longmire’s team, who face Brisbane at the Gabba on Saturday, are 1-5 for the year while GWS are nestled in the top four and widely regarded as premiership contenders.
Pundits have started to pick apart the Swans but Matthews offered nothing but supportive words.
“I’d never underestimate them,” Matthews said.
“They’ve been in a position a bit like this before and they charged home (to finals after an 0-6 start to 2017).
“They’ve got one of the best players in the game (Lance Franklin) and who knows whether his presence gets their season back up and going.
“They’ve defied gravity and continued to compete in finals for such a long period of time, we have enormous respect for that.”
Matthews noted the Swans, like GWS, have suffered because of the AFL’s decision to scrap the Cost of Living Allowance (COLA).
Matthews suggested Saturday’s SCG derby crowd of 29,780 was below expectations but it’d be wrong to read too much into the number.
“They’re one of the biggest sporting clubs in Australia … sometimes there’s a difference between support and attendance,” he said.
“We noticed when we had a bit of a flat patch two years ago that it affects your attendance, but I don’t think people stop supporting a club … they’ve got a supporter base that is rusted on and embedded.
“They’ve had 36 years in Sydney to develop that, they’ve still got a lot of fans in Melbourne. I don’t know that that’s necessarily the issue that would be concerning anyone just at the moment.”
michael RVC
Roar Pro
Your sympathy is not needed or requested.
Timbo's rules
Guest
I predicted Sydney's demise when the cola was taken away. The bastards rorted the system and got done for it. Unfortunately they also nobbled the Giants. I have no sympathy for the Swans. You think living in Sydney is easy, you come here and buy a house. Anyone who thinks the cola was wrong is a joke.
anon
Roar Pro
Bud's not one of the best players in the game. I'm not even sure he's a top 10 forward any longer. I'd love to see what his scoring rate is per balls kicked to him.
michael RVC
Roar Pro
Dave, Dave.....you might wake up the cola whingers. Looking back, I reckon SYDNEY would have traded cola for the opportunity to play 15 or 16 games in their home city, most within 2or 3 k’s of the cbd, predominantly at the ground that they would be playing finals on. The premiership history of this century would look a lot different if that were the case. Regardless, behind the play slaps on their opposition with their cola pay chèques have had zero to do with win/loss.