Monday Buzz: AFL newcomers GWS taking giant steps in Western Sydney’s sporting heartland
in 2 hours
Phil RothfieldSports Editor-at-largeThe Daily Telegraph
THIS is the tale of two footy clubs in Western Sydney’s sporting heartland.
The Parramatta Eels, with their salary cap scandal, Kieran Foran and now Corey Norman.
In seven years, 25 different directors, six chief executives and four coaches.
An absolute basket case.
And the GWS Giants from the other code, the AFL.
The club that is no longer just a publicity stunt around Israel Folau and the great Kevin Sheedy.
It’s now about the footy team. The rising stars of the AFL are a serious premiership threat.
Yesterday we ventured to Spotless Stadium to check them out, next door to the Roosters v Bulldogs, where we would normally spend our Sunday afternoons.
The Giants beat the highly regarded Western Bulldogs to finish the round third on the ladder and are fast becoming one of sport’s great rags to riches stories.
Not quite Leicester City but a bit like Sydney Thunder, who were for years the easybeats of Big Bash cricket before winning the title last season. Everything about the Giants is on the rise.
Attendance figures are up 18 per cent this year on last. Membership the same and they are on track to break through 15,000 for the first time in club history.
And they make no secret of the fact that converting NRL fans is part of the long-term plan. Even all the disgruntled Eels supporters.
“We are after conversion, absolutely,” says chairman Tony Shepherd.
“I’m increasingly starting to meet people who followed rugby league but are switching over.
“We are seeing a swing, anecdotally at least, from soccer to us as well.”
Their experience at the football on Sunday is a good one. Very family-orientated and good atmosphere.
It’s a fast, lively contest. End to end footy.
Jeremy Cameron is the Buddy Franklin of GWS. Former Swan Shane Mumford does the grunt work.
Kids under 15 get free entry. Everyone at the game is allowed on to the ground for a kick after the final siren. Giants coach Leon Cameron joins the fans on ground to kick the football with his kids — even before he does his post-match press conference.
The big difference to the Parramatta Eels is the standard of management. Shepherd and CEO Dave Matthews are two of the most outstanding administrators in Australian sport.
Comparing them to Steve Sharp and company at the Eels is a bit like comparing a Daewoo to a Mercedes.
Shepherd is confident the Giants will keep improving.
“I don’t want to sound like a smart arse,” he says, “but we’re on track and progressing well.
“We drew up a plan and a chart six years ago and we’re going slightly better than we thought we’d be.
“When we started we had 35 teenagers — most of whom didn’t even have a driver’s *licence.
“They’d never left home before, they came from all over the country and we’ve turned them into elite football players. It’s very exciting.”
Sunday’s crowd was 9612 and obviously there is a long way to go.
But better than the 8658 at Campbelltown for the NRL on Saturday.
“As long as we can maintain the on-field performances we will get there,” Shepherd said.
“Sustained on-field performance is the answer. Sydney people love a winner.”
BUZZ ROTHFIELD ‏@BuzzRothfield
