Accepting that the AFL is fully committed to clubs located at the Gold Coast and in Western Sydney, is it too late for the AFL to make some fundamental tweaks to both clubs to increase their “brand” appeals?
Some serious changes are required to reboot these clubs that are both clearly struggling to get strong traction in their markets and are acting as a drag on the rest of the league. One of these changes is the actual name or identity of the each club. I would also be interested to hear the thoughts of others.
Firstly, with regard to Greater Western Sydney, the Giants, a change of name should be considered. The current name is cumbersome at best and that is demonstrated by the club being more usually referenced as GWS, which is probably the worst name for any football club in the world.
The GWS name just does not resonate as a truly strong football club name. It could be a can of jam for all anyone knows.
Western Sydney is a very ethnically and culturally diverse region and there exists an opportunity to attract fans using a more recognisable and strong name that says something about the district and its people and which clearly identifies it as a football club with a purpose.
As a suggestion changing the name to something like West Sydney United points to the region it represents and the inclusion of the United “branding” encourages the diverse cultures of West Sydney to get involved.
It is a more traditional name of a football club and there is nothing that precludes an AFL side from adopting the use of “United”, which is regularly used in other codes and also by Australian rules clubs. West Sydney United is a strong name and it is more attractive than the current cumbersome name and its unattractive abbreviation.
The nickname of the Giants could remain but the G on the jersey should be dropped and a plain, more traditional orange and black jersey should be adopted, perhaps with a white hoop separating the orange and black.
As for the Gold Coast Suns, the nickname is weak and brings with it images of people lazing on a beach rather than a tough, non-compromising football club. I would suggest that given the clubs strong links to Southport Sharks, the Sharks identity be adopted, which provides far better marketing opportunities and a more aggressive feel to the club that might attract more interest.
I know there is a NRL side with the same Sharks identity, but there are also NRL clubs called Tigers and Bulldogs which are also nickname of AFL clubs, so this wouldn’t really be an issue.
The name of a club is fundamentally important in attracting support to the clubs and at present neither GWS or Gold Coast Suns have it right, but with minor adjustments as proposed above, things could improve through better marketing and club culture opportunities that are reflective of strong football club names.
I might not have selected the best names, but I’d be interested to see what other options are as to the current names and whether they are working or hindering the club’s growth and what alternative names might work.
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John
Guest
I think if you knew what goes on the Australian Rules in Queensland you would really be shocked. Definitely not the Sharks. Give them their own name,where did all the money go. The players in Atco sheds for five years CEO on ridiculous amount of money the Southport Sharks bled money out food drinks at metricom. I could go on about the Sharks by name and by nature.
Josh
Guest
How about just accept that we don't want AFL in Western Sydney? Why are you commenting on my home anyway, calling us bogans and flanno wearers? You've come here from Victoria and you're making disparaging comments about where we live, is it any wonder your team flopped? Want to know why the Swans have a decent following? They realised where they were, kept their heads down and went about building a new identity. Compare that to the GWS Giants who have done everything you're not supposed to.
Curmudgeon1961
Roar Rookie
That's swelled my numbers and interest!
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
The Siege of Madgeburg
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Well we will have to go back to the Middle Ages in Western Europe how far back do you want to go Rowdy :stoked:
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I didn't mean. I thought there was at least another 19 ripostes to go.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
You got me :laughing:
Micko
Roar Rookie
Never understood the corporate desperation to put "Greater" in there! :sick:
TheFireFighterOfAntarctica
Roar Rookie
"SYDNEY GIANTS"
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
The colour of surrender? :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Chanon
Roar Rookie
We have white as well need a shade to brighten those colours up :stoked:
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
And yours :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Chanon
Roar Rookie
What ghastly team has those colours :stoked:
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Looking good for a mostly Red n Blue year.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Bull sharks is great as they hunt in packs like piranhas but Bulldust would be hilarious for the Ocker Aussie :stoked:
Ruairidh MacDonald
Roar Rookie
Yes the Crocs, that's much better! And don't worry there's plenty of goannas in the local and national parks, don't even need to go too far west. Was just trying to stick with the G thing, to at least make rebranding cheap
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
Although remember Footscray changed their name to “Western”. So nebulous can work… The media is full of the phrase “Western Sydney”, so I do think there is an argument to use that term. I agree with you on Canberra deserving an AFL team of its own. If it’s our national game, we should have a team in our national capital, surely?
Dumbo
Roar Rookie
Western Sydney Football Club Limited, trading as Greater Western Sydney Football Club, and commonly known as GWS or GWS Giants. I suspect you need to go a lot further west than Olympic Park to see many goannas in the wild. How about Wests Giants ? The benefit of no specific location name is that you will not alienate fans from everywhere else who might otherwise be in commuting/supporting distance. As for an NT team, then NT Crocs, for me. As for a Tassie team, then how about the Tassie Greens ? Though I have to say, I like the Tassie Devils, suggested by another Roarer.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
It sounds so "East Berlin" to me. I could just imagine "Svetlana Heineke" answering the phone, "Greater Vesterrn Siteny"
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I like Bullsharks. And l think Purple and Yellow collar and sleeve hems would've been a potential option. Dunno? Second thoughtsOr some blend of red, blue, purple and white. What did actually go on there? Or maybe it should've been just East's being just as they are Blue n White Sharks. Another missed opportunity. Sometimes l think the AFL were scared of compromising incoming teams.