First game of the season - Swans v GWS

[Primmy]

I always get worried when its taken for granted that we, or any other team, will automatically win a game because the world at large has deemed that the other team is going be weak. It should be remembered that we got beaten by GWS preseason. And that was last season. OK, it was stinking hot, and had played half a game against GC prior to it, but .....

I cannot see us automatically winning this game, however rest assured I do not see us as automatically losing it either. Its a seriously young team with a seriously old head which is cunning as a rat in a tip. the world at large, and by that I mean most of Victorian sports reporters, should remember this. GWS may have had almost no senior exposure, but it doesn't automatically make it a crap team. They have been doing a LOT of work, A LOT. We have many many young players as well. We could well be given a shakeup.

[stellation]

I always get worried when its taken for granted that we, or any other team, will automatically win a game because the world at large has deemed that the other team is going be weak. It should be remembered that we got beaten by GWS preseason. And that was last season. OK, it was stinking hot, and had played half a game against GC prior to it, but .....

Do you possibly have GC and GWS mixed up there?

[ABloodsMan]

I'm expecting us to smash them, remember with the GC game last year in the preseason which we lost it was incredibly hot and humid, and we had already played half a game of footy.

[ernest13tse]

Our senior team defeated GWS 83-4 at Blacktown in the NAB Cup early this year.. then lost to the GCS. Only our (very senior-listed-depleted) reserves team have lost to GWS.

[jono2707]

GWS will not come close to us. As its the first game of the season, we'll come out firing. The second match up later in the season will be more dangerous but they will be nowhere near as good as GC were this year...

[Primmy]

Do you possibly have GC and GWS mixed up there?
Ah, could be, but that was then and again proves my point. GC had by then been together for a couple of years, and so now have GWS (ish)

[Jewels]

I always get worried when its taken for granted that we, or any other team, will automatically win a game because the world at large has deemed that the other team is going be weak. It should be remembered that we got beaten by GWS preseason. And that was last season. OK, it was stinking hot, and had played half a game against GC prior to it, but .....

I cannot see us automatically winning this game, however rest assured I do not see us as automatically losing it either. Its a seriously young team with a seriously old head which is cunning as a rat in a tip. the world at large, and by that I mean most of Victorian sports reporters, should remember this. GWS may have had almost no senior exposure, but it doesn't automatically make it a crap team. They have been doing a LOT of work, A LOT. We have many many young players as well. We could well be given a shakeup.

Did you have a bad nights sleep last night and get up on the wrong side of the bed Prims??
No way on Gods green earth will GWS get within five goals of us, and I'm not someone who tends to be that overly confident or optimistic!
In my opinion on what I have seen so far, they don't seem to be anywhere near as organized as GCS were at the same time last year and Sheedy looks and reads more and more like a loony tunes character every week.
And then, above all other reasoning for why we will comprehensibly beat them is the pure and simple fact that on the night we play them, I shall be relaxing in a deck chair, drinking cocktails, somewhere on the Pacific Ocean - Trust me, this fact more then any other, guarantees our sucess!

[Lucky Knickers]

GWS will not come close to us. As its the first game of the season, we'll come out firing. The second match up later in the season will be more dangerous but they will be nowhere near as good as GC were this year...
Hmm. That's what I thought would happen in 2011.

Still even firing on wet powder we should account for our cross-town rivals (how awesome does that sound BTW!).

[dimelb]

This year's debacles against Melbourne and Richmond underlined the warning that NO game should EVER be taken for granted.
Even so, we really ought to flog GWS, and that intention should be the mindset when we take the field.

[BRISWAN]

There is no reason in god,s earth that we shouldn't flog GW$ (no, that is not a typo with the $)..............same goes for Gold Coast $uns

Bury the bums Swans.

Only a Swans supporter I'm afraid and I don't wish GW$ any good wishes.............just the same attitude as our players and staff

[Xie Shan]

Realistically, after seeing how the Suns went in their first season, it's going to be a massive ask for GWS to win their first ever AFL game and I don't think anyone really expects them to, but stranger things have happened!

[top40]

It really concerns me that yes, the Swans will definitely win their first Round 1 game in 7 years. HOWEVER, with an effective bye the next week, I worry that playing Fremantle two weeks later in Round 2 will almost certainly result in a loss. Byes this early in the season are usually fatal, with the lost of necessary momentum. Freo will have played their Round 1 games just a week earlier. They are also developing a good record at the SCG with now back to back wins, 2010 and 2011, (although they were aid and abetted by a 23rd player in the latter win, a certain R.Chamberlain).

[Bas]

However Freo are now being coached by Lyon so they will be adapting to a new game plan.

Perhaps Tommy might be able to show Lyon a thing or two.

[Wardy]

why worry about it ?- its not going to change - so we just all turn up on the day and enjoy the birth of a new rivalry! We will go for the Swans of course, but I also hope that GWS do well during the course of the season. Sure that may urk some, but hey so be it.

[Bloods05]

Urk

[jono2707]

why worry about it ?- its not going to change - so we just all turn up on the day and enjoy the birth of a new rivalry! We will go for the Swans of course, but I also hope that GWS do well during the course of the season. Sure that may urk some, but hey so be it.

It's not a real rivalry....

[Go Swannies]

Urk

I'm becoming irked by lurking urks.

[aardvark]

476

Urk is a municipality and a town in the Flevoland province in the central Netherlands.
Urk is first mentioned in historical records dating to the 10th century, when it was still an island in the Almere.

I'm not sure i'd like to be Urked !!:smile:

[Go Swannies]

476

Urk is a municipality and a town in the Flevoland province in the central Netherlands.
Urk is first mentioned in historical records dating to the 10th century, when it was still an island in the Almere.

I'm not sure i'd like to be Urked !!:smile:

That's all double Dutch to me. Urk, urk, urk (smirk)

[Bas]

Fevolaland ???????

[Big Al]

Urk is a municipality and a town in the Flevoland province in the central Netherlands.
Urk is first mentioned in historical records dating to the 10th century, when it was still an island in the Almere.

I'm not sure i'd like to be Urked !!:smile:

Residents of Urk

http://tapatalk.com/mu/3aa3afbb-0669-18ef.jpg

[Wardy]

That's all double Dutch to me. Urk, urk, urk (smirk)

no one's perfect not even some of the smart arses on RWO ;-)

[Wardy]

It's not a real rivalry....

whatever!!:rolleyes:

[Wardy]

Residents of Urk

http://tapatalk.com/mu/3aa3afbb-0669-18ef.jpg

I went out with a bloke who was as annoying as him once - needless to say it didnt last long (I realised that I had taken the desperate times call for desperate measures thing way too far!)

[aardvark]

Fevolaland ???????

already exists......Crown Casino.....

[Xie Shan]

Does anyone know if this game is included in our 2012 membership? I received the Swans renewal form in the mail today and it just says that my membership includes "a Gold reserved seat at all 11 home matches at the SCG and ANZ stadium". I appreciate that it's a GWS home game, but it seems rather silly to make Swans members pay for a ticket, and a wasted opportunity to promote the game, as the stadium is more than big enough to hold every Swans and GWS member with plenty of seats to spare.

[Primmy]

Its kind of like Hawthorne playing Melbourne at the MCG. Plenty of room, but its a Melbourne game and members get eleven of them a season, and everyone else (including Hawthorne fans) pays to attend "away" games. The AFL is not going to do any different just because the game is with Sydney based teams. Its business as usual and game on.

[Xie Shan]

Yeah, I had a feeling that might be the case. Of course, I'll be there regardless, but I just wonder if the crowd may be slightly down because of it. I just assumed it would be a similar sort of arrangement to what Melbourne-based Swans members have, where membership still gets you into the games (unless we're playing the Dons at Etihad or the Cats in Geelong), but because we're the away team it's GA only? Similarly, it would make more sense for us to just pay extra for the GWS away game as part of our membership, even though it's GA, rather than having to buy a separate ticket. Or am I just talking rubbish? (Wouldn't be the first time, ha!)

[erica]

Pity they didn't include it in our membership options like they have done in the past with Bulldogs "home" games at the SCG.

[Primmy]

Probably not down in attendance so much for this game, being the first against GWS anyway, and six months without anything.....just have to buy a ticket.....which will feel more than a bit strange!

With the Melbourne based Sydney fans I guess their membership is for the Melbourne games and I think they may include a couple of Sydney ones don't they? Something like that. Send a note to dimelb, he always goes to the Melbourne games.

Guess there would be no difference with any away team.....we still have to pay up for a seat. Anyway it gives the ticketing agencies something to do.....or you can pal up with a GWS member who gets extras for these games.....I have dibs on one already.....actually that is probably why they the tickets weren't added on..... The bottom line is that this is a GWS moment, their game, and we are the visiting team. Its their call, not ours.

[dimelb]

Probably not down in attendance so much for this game, being the first against GWS anyway, and six months without anything.....just have to buy a ticket.....which will feel more than a bit strange!

With the Melbourne based Sydney fans I guess their membership is for the Melbourne games and I think they may include a couple of Sydney ones don't they? Something like that. Send a note to dimelb, he always goes to the Melbourne games.

Guess there would be no difference with any away team.....we still have to pay up for a seat. Anyway it gives the ticketing agencies something to do.....or you can pal up with a GWS member who gets extras for these games.....I have dibs on one already.....actually that is probably why they the tickets weren't added on..... The bottom line is that this is a GWS moment, their game, and we are the visiting team. Its their call, not ours.Our membership means we get six matches at the MCG in addition to the Swans' games, and we'll certainly be checking out GWS when they're at the ground. Unfortunately it doesn't apply to Etihad until the AFL takes ownership - we should live so long!

[jono2707]

It's ridiculous if there isn't the option for us to buy additional entry into this game with our Swans membership packs. If you can't but a ticket for this game when renewing, that alone will bring the crowd down by several thousand on the day. So many Swans members either a) don't like going to Homebush, or b) aren't really all that fussed if they miss a Swans 'away' game, even if it is in Sydney, that the AFL is missing out on a lot of people if they don't make this as easy for Swans fans as possible to attend by including this game in our membership. And Lord knows they need as many bums on seats as possible for this first game.

I reckon GWS has probably gotten the Telegraph lined up to give away thousands of tickets to get some interest in this game, so maybe I'll just have to buy the paper for once sometime near matchday....

[Primmy]

This is GWS home game. They have priority with seating. We are only just now getting membership sorted for this year, and I am sure GWS are doing the same. Why should they pander to us? If it was a Swans home game instead, would you be expecting us to pander to GWS members - what seating would be available for them....etc. Its not the Swans call. Its GWS, and its their party, especially with this game.

[jono2707]

The AFL should set aside some general admission seating at ANZ for on-sale to Swans fans as part of their Swans memberships. Then we, as part of our membership, can opt-in to this for, say, an extra 30 bucks. The AFL cannot forget that the Swans are in this city too, and they need our buy-in as well to help this GWS venture if it is going to succeed.

I would also say that it would be a good option for similar general admission seating at the SCG to be available to all GWS members for Swans games.

Crazy idea?

[View from stand]

This is GWS home game. They have priority with seating. We are only just now getting membership sorted for this year, and I am sure GWS are doing the same. Why should they pander to us? If it was a Swans home game instead, would you be expecting us to pander to GWS members - what seating would be available for them....etc. Its not the Swans call. Its GWS, and its their party, especially with this game.

GWS and the AFL need a good crowd to start the season, and that is why the AFL scheduled the game for Round 1. It is annoying that GWS will not allow people to use their normal seats, but you can live with that. The best thing would have been to include the game in the ticket for an additional cost, but not allow reserved seats to work. This would have made sure a lot of Swans members will attend (and they would get their money earlier). However, it is stupid to require us all to go and buy a separate ticket. This will not happen for a lot of people and will likely cost them thousands of people in the crowd.

[Jewels]

The AFL should set aside some general admission seating at ANZ for on-sale to Swans fans as part of their Swans memberships. Then we, as part of our membership, can opt-in to this for, say, an extra 30 bucks. The AFL cannot forget that the Swans are in this city too, and they need our buy-in as well to help this GWS venture if it is going to succeed.

I would also say that it would be a good option for similar general admission seating at the SCG to be available to all GWS members for Swans games.

Crazy idea?

I did a members survey during the season that asked if that were an option would I take it up to which I responded that I would.
As a matter of interest, I have a friend who is a Lions member (whom I consider more an equal comparative to the Swans than any of the other interstate clubs) and he doesn't have entry to Suns games at the Gabba included with his membership and doesn't think it's an option with any Lions membership.

[Big Al]

GWS and the AFL need a good crowd to start the season, and that is why the AFL scheduled the game for Round 1. It is annoying that GWS will not allow people to use their normal seats, but you can live with that. The best thing would have been to include the game in the ticket for an additional cost, but not allow reserved seats to work. This would have made sure a lot of Swans members will attend (and they would get their money earlier). However, it is stupid to require us all to go and buy a separate ticket. This will not happen for a lot of people and will likely cost them thousands of people in the crowd.


Buying a ticket takes a couple of minutes on the net so it shouldn't be an onerous task. The issue will be price. As long as the AFL allow the Swans members in for a nominal fee then I would have thought the majority would jump at the chance to see the Swans play live in what is a 12th "home game".

Also remember the marketing for this game will revolve around getting new AFL supporters to the game especially those from the west. Lots of free tickets will be distributed to the schools and the junior clubs out west. The marketing won't be focused on getting Swans members, who are already AFL fans, to the game.

[erica]

GWS should give free tickets to anyone who asks, just to help fill the stadium. Homebush's capacity of 80,000 certainly won't be reached for this game. Can't see how this will be worth a round all to itself, although it will be talked up. Doubt that anyone in Melbourne (other than our Melbourne-based supporters) will care about it.

[Primmy]

I did a members survey during the season that asked if that were an option would I take it up to which I responded that I would.
As a matter of interest, I have a friend who is a Lions member (whom I consider more an equal comparative to the Swans than any of the other interstate clubs) and he doesn't have entry to Suns games at the Gabba included with his membership and doesn't think it's an option with any Lions membership.
Exactly my point Jewels. Ta.

[jono2707]

If we don't have the option of buying the extra game then it's a big mistake in my opinion. I don't care whether it is or isn't done elsewhere throughout the country. GWS is a very different animal to any other AFL team, Suns included, and the AFL should be working to ensure that as many people as possible get through the gates at the first game. Also if they want a so-called 'rivalry' to develop then they should be encouraging as many Swans people as possible to go to the game. By not including the game as an option in our ticketing will reduce the number of people in the crowd.

I guess the AFL will just print a few thousand more freebies for the schools, the Telly, and some of the local papers in the west....

[Xie Shan]

This is GWS home game. They have priority with seating. We are only just now getting membership sorted for this year, and I am sure GWS are doing the same. Why should they pander to us?

Understand this and I'm not for one minute suggesting that they should, but I'm still a little surprised that some kind of option to make it easier for Swans members to buy a ticket (even if, obviously, we don't get to sit in our regular seats) wasn't considered, given the size of the venue, even if GWS has priority over seating as it's their home game. I know that it doesn't work that way for the other local derbies, but this is a bit different in that neither club has a huge membership base, and it would be in the interest of both clubs and the AFL to have as big a crowd as possible attending this game.


The AFL should set aside some general admission seating at ANZ for on-sale to Swans fans as part of their Swans memberships. Then we, as part of our membership, can opt-in to this for, say, an extra 30 bucks. The AFL cannot forget that the Swans are in this city too, and they need our buy-in as well to help this GWS venture if it is going to succeed.

This is pretty much what I had in mind, it's called shaping the path. It's a motivational technique, which basically says that to encourage people to behave in a particular way or to change their behaviour, by shaping the path you make that behaviour more likely by removing obstacles in their way. It usually involves tweaking the environment by designing procedures to make it easier/more intuitive to do the right thing. Here's (http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/125/get-laziness-on-your-side.html) an example.

(Granted, I'm drawing a long bow here, since it probably won't make THAT much difference to the overall crowd figure, but every little bit helps!)

[Big Al]

If we don't have the option of buying the extra game then it's a big mistake in my opinion. I don't care whether it is or isn't done elsewhere throughout the country. GWS is a very different animal to any other AFL team, Suns included, and the AFL should be working to ensure that as many people as possible get through the gates at the first game. Also if they want a so-called 'rivalry' to develop then they should be encouraging as many Swans people as possible to go to the game. By not including the game as an option in our ticketing will reduce the number of people in the crowd.

I guess the AFL will just print a few thousand more freebies for the schools, the Telly, and some of the local papers in the west....

Are Sydney based members so bone dead lazy that they would miss the opportunity to see their team simply because they have to buy their own ticket.

I have a bit more faith in our supporters. As long as the price is reasonable, i think our members will be out in force for this game.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Xie Shan]

Are Sydney based members so bone dead lazy that they would miss the opportunity to see their team simply because they have to buy their own ticket.

I have a bit more faith in our supporters. As long as the price is reasonable, i think our members will be out in force for this game.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I hope you're right Al, I'd dearly love to see GWS run out for their first home game confronted by a sea of red and white. I was more thinking of the Swans members who maybe don't particularly like going to ANZ for regular home games, and ways to encourage them to make sure that they do attend.

[Big Al]

I hope you're right Al, I'd dearly love to see GWS run out for their first home game confronted by a sea of red and white. I was more thinking of the Swans members who maybe don't particularly like going to ANZ for regular home games, and ways to encourage them to make sure that they do attend.

Yeah, that's fair enough.

However, I'll still be bitterly disappointed in our supporter base if they don't get out to ANZ in big numbers for this game.






Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Yuri H]

I'm definitely one of those I-hate-ANZ wusses who usually has to be dragged All The Way Out THERE, but I am really looking forward to this historic match. Should be fun. Well, unless there's a spectacular upset, in which case I might become bitter.

[jono2707]

Are Sydney based members so bone dead lazy that they would miss the opportunity to see their team simply because they have to buy their own ticket.

I have a bit more faith in our supporters. As long as the price is reasonable, i think our members will be out in force for this game.



IMHO the answer to the first bit of your post is 'yes' - many Swans fans could be considered lazy and would miss the match - just because many people who are members aren't as into the team as us RWO'ers. Lots of people go for the social aspect, or because the SCG is close, or for various other reasons, and if they have to buy a ticket separately then many would not be bothered to go. I sit with a bunch of people and I would think probably only 50% would make the extra effort to buy a separate ticket and go to Homebush - it's just that some of them aren't as much into the Swans and the foooty as I am. Also note our somewhat disappointing turn-outs to some recent finals appearances out at ANZ, although I do agree that the unreasonable pricing of some finals has also impacted attendances.

I'll be there of course, but it will be interesting to see how many of my group makes the effort.... I would hope the historic nature of the match, the fact that its the first game of the year, and the almost-guaranteed 4 points will get them across the line....

[desredandwhite]

The difference with the Bulldogs game is that essentially that was "sold" to us, so it effectively became our game to do with as we pleased.

GWS will want to sell reserved seats to their own members, and as the away team, we should not get priority over GWS members.

I will probably get a big bunch of tickets as we live out West (in fact we travel about 30 minutes EAST to get to homebush!!) and plenty of our friends will go to have a look. Some people who live in the East won't bother going, and some people in the west will go instead.

[CJK]

ANZ game? Canberra Giants home game?

Pass.

[Adelaide Swan]

I live in the south and am definitely going to the game.

I desperately want to see a sea of red and white and turn into our home game.

I want us to prove there is only one team in Sydney and that's us.

[707]

I'm driving up from Melbourne for the game, hopefully it's mostly Swans supporters.

I,m staying with friends near Chatswood.

Can someone give me the heads up on trains etc to the venue.

Thanks in advance.

[stellation]

I'm driving up from Melbourne for the game, hopefully it's mostly Swans supporters.

I,m staying with friends near Chatswood.

Can someone give me the heads up on trains etc to the venue.

Thanks in advance.
There's a train station at Chatswood + one right at the stadium, you should be able to catch a train from Chatswood to Lidcombe (about 45 minutes) then change at Lidcombe for one to Olympic Park (about 5 minutes). You should have quite a few Swans fans making the same trip with you, but you might want to line up a lift from Chatswood station when you get back.

[jono2707]

I'm driving up from Melbourne for the game, hopefully it's mostly Swans supporters.

I,m staying with friends near Chatswood.

Can someone give me the heads up on trains etc to the venue.

Thanks in advance.

Actually they'll run trains direct from Central to Olympic Park for the match so no need to go to Lidcombe then backtrack. You catch the train from Chatswood to Central, then follow the signs to the Olypic Park trains - alternatively you follow the stream of red and white to the train... Easy.

[stellation]

Actually they'll run trains direct from Central to Olympic Park for the match so no need to go to Lidcombe then backtrack. You catch the train from Chatswood to Central, then follow the signs to the Olypic Park trains - alternatively you follow the stream of red and white to the train... Easy.
Even better! Some how I've basically done that train trip before (well, from St Leonards) but never when an event is actually on!

[Big Al]

Get in Car
Drive
Free Park P3


One of the only advantages Homebush has over the SCG is the ease of parking.

[Untamed Snark]

It would be embarrassing if we were out numbered by GW$ supporters
I'll be there

[707]

Thanks guys, I knew you'd put me on the right tram, I mean train.

Looking forward to the game and ressies to watch beforehand, should be a pretty smart reserves team too, nice :-)

Hopefully not working as much this year so plan to travel around the country a bit catching a few games. Only did the Gold Coast last year.

[liz]

If the North Shore trains run through Central and onwards, it is much easier to change at Redfern than at Central. All the OP trains leave from the same platform at Redfern, rather than a variety of platforms at different ends of the station. It has been a while since I caught a train from the North Shore, so I can't remember if they end at Central or go on to other destinations (in which case they would pretty much have to stop at Redfern).

Note that if you are planning on going to the reserves game, the direct OP services probably won't have started by the time you are trying to get to the ground. In that case, you either need to drive or catch a train to Lidcombe and then get the irritating little shuttle onto Olympic Park.

[Cheer Squad]

I desperately want to see a sea of red and white and turn into our home game.

I want us to prove there is only one team in Sydney and that's us.


I'm driving up from Melbourne for the game, hopefully it's mostly Swans supporters.


It would be embarrassing if we were out numbered by GW$ supporters. I'll be there

I think it's great some of our Melbourne supporters are coming up for this game. That's loyalty for you. :smile:

But the grim reality is that many of our eastern suburbs members dislike going to Homebush. So it will interesting to see how many of them bother attending the GWS games, especially in Round 14, which is designated as our home game.

To be honest, I think we all believe we're going to win both matches, and by considerable margins. We'd hardly be top 4 contenders if we didn't. So it wouldn't surprise me if not many of our supporters attend in Round 1 - a bit like the infamous final against North in 2008.

Even so, it's most unlikely that GWS supporters will out-number us. According to their website, they've got just over 4,000 members so far, and had about 12,000 foundation members last year. Even if all of them convert there will be double-ups with us, and I just can't see our switch-hitters supporting GWS when it comes to the crunch.

[nomae]

Only 67 days to go....

[Big Al]

Only 67 days to go....

GWS game - is coming in 2 mths, 7 days, 14 hrs, 5 mins, 9 secs!

[wolftone57]

I always get worried when its taken for granted that we, or any other team, will automatically win a game because the world at large has deemed that the other team is going be weak. It should be remembered that we got beaten by GWS preseason. And that was last season. OK, it was stinking hot, and had played half a game against GC prior to it, but .....

I cannot see us automatically winning this game, however rest assured I do not see us as automatically losing it either. Its a seriously young team with a seriously old head which is cunning as a rat in a tip. the world at large, and by that I mean most of Victorian sports reporters, should remember this. GWS may have had almost no senior exposure, but it doesn't automatically make it a crap team. They have been doing a LOT of work, A LOT. We have many many young players as well. We could well be given a shakeup.

The year that Adelaide came into the comp they were seen as walk over. They certainly stuffed the critics in the first game against the Hawks beating them 24.11 to 9.15, the Hawks went on to win the Premiership. Alternately, the Crows were themselves beaten by the fledgling Power 11.17 to 11.06 in the first 'Showdown' in a game the Crows were touted as easy winners. Never take anything for granted especially as the opposition has Sheedy as coach.

[wolftone57]

This year's debacles against Melbourne and Richmond underlined the warning that NO game should EVER be taken for granted.
Even so, we really ought to flog GWS, and that intention should be the mindset when we take the field.

you forgot the Crows, they were getting murdered by everyone else and we went there and got rolled

[wolftone57]

This is GWS home game. They have priority with seating. We are only just now getting membership sorted for this year, and I am sure GWS are doing the same. Why should they pander to us? If it was a Swans home game instead, would you be expecting us to pander to GWS members - what seating would be available for them....etc. Its not the Swans call. Its GWS, and its their party, especially with this game.

Agree totally

[wolftone57]

IMHO the answer to the first bit of your post is 'yes' - many Swans fans could be considered lazy and would miss the match - just because many people who are members aren't as into the team as us RWO'ers. Lots of people go for the social aspect, or because the SCG is close, or for various other reasons, and if they have to buy a ticket separately then many would not be bothered to go. I sit with a bunch of people and I would think probably only 50% would make the extra effort to buy a separate ticket and go to Homebush - it's just that some of them aren't as much into the Swans and the foooty as I am. Also note our somewhat disappointing turn-outs to some recent finals appearances out at ANZ, although I do agree that the unreasonable pricing of some finals has also impacted attendances.

I'll be there of course, but it will be interesting to see how many of my group makes the effort.... I would hope the historic nature of the match, the fact that its the first game of the year, and the almost-guaranteed 4 points will get them across the line....

I bought a forty inch Flat Screen TV just to watch the Swans games when I can't see them live.

[wolftone57]

If the North Shore trains run through Central and onwards, it is much easier to change at Redfern than at Central. All the OP trains leave from the same platform at Redfern, rather than a variety of platforms at different ends of the station. It has been a while since I caught a train from the North Shore, so I can't remember if they end at Central or go on to other destinations (in which case they would pretty much have to stop at Redfern).

Note that if you are planning on going to the reserves game, the direct OP services probably won't have started by the time you are trying to get to the ground. In that case, you either need to drive or catch a train to Lidcombe and then get the irritating little shuttle onto Olympic Park.

Liz some do a North Shore loop others go elsewhere. The Central Coast/Hornsby via Gordon becomes the Penrith/Enu Plains train and via MacQuarie Park become the Hornsby via Strathfield & Eastwood. I get the MacQuarie Uni one sometimes if I have an appointment in the city. Coming from Chatswood get either and change at Strathfield for Homebush 'Olympic Park' do not get out at Homebush Station as you woulf be in the wrong place.

[Adelaide Swan]

I think it's great some of our Melbourne supporters are coming up for this game. That's loyalty for you. :smile:

But the grim reality is that many of our eastern suburbs members dislike going to Homebush. So it will interesting to see how many of them bother attending the GWS games, especially in Round 14, which is designated as our home game.

To be honest, I think we all believe we're going to win both matches, and by considerable margins. We'd hardly be top 4 contenders if we didn't. So it wouldn't surprise me if not many of our supporters attend in Round 1 - a bit like the infamous final against North in 2008.

Even so, it's most unlikely that GWS supporters will out-number us. According to their website, they've got just over 4,000 members so far, and had about 12,000 foundation members last year. Even if all of them convert there will be double-ups with us, and I just can't see our switch-hitters supporting GWS when it comes to the crunch.

CS, I should've been more specific.

I live in the southern suburbs of Sydney, mate.

[Bloods05]

My son and I will be driving up from Ballarat, hoping to find somewhere to stay within easy driving distance of the stadium. What's the parking like there?

[Adelaide Swan]

My son and I will be driving up from Ballarat, hoping to find somewhere to stay within easy driving distance of the stadium. What's the parking like there?

Better off staying in the inner city somewhere and getting a direct train from Central, mate.

Parking at ANZ is similar to the SCG, absolutely woeful.

[Bloods05]

Thanks for the tip.:smile:

[wolftone57]

There are quite a few motels along Paramatta Road. If you look up motels and put in Olympic Park or Homebush, Strathfield or North Strathfield you might find somewhere very close to the ground. Strathfield is pretty good and had some really nice food.

[erica]

My son and I will be driving up from Ballarat, hoping to find somewhere to stay within easy driving distance of the stadium. What's the parking like there?

We always drive to ANZ and have no trouble parking. We purchase a parking ticket from Ticketek a couple of weeks before (they post them out) for $20. Pricey, but makes it so much easier for us. We usually get P1, which is next to the stadium and has very well-organised traffic on the way out. Much easier to exit than from the SCG parking.

[jono2707]

Better off staying in the inner city somewhere and getting a direct train from Central, mate.

Parking at ANZ is similar to the SCG, absolutely woeful.

Especially considering that the cost of train travel is normally included in ANZ stadium tickets - I assume this will be the case with GWS games, or at least this one....

[Bazman]

We're flying back from Vietnam on the Friday which leads to a 2 day stopover in Sydney then home to Melbourne. Perfect timing.:wink:

[Jewels]

Better off staying in the inner city somewhere and getting a direct train from Central, mate.

Parking at ANZ is similar to the SCG, absolutely woeful.

Roosy you could not have ever parked at ANZ if you think that, I'm not a fan of the ground by any stretch of the imagination but the parking (particularly P1) is the one thing I give a big tick too. The access is superb and exiting is far, far easier and quicker than any of the parking stations at the SCG and as Erica said, pre pay and it's easier still.

[Big Al]

Better off staying in the inner city somewhere and getting a direct train from Central, mate.

Parking at ANZ is similar to the SCG, absolutely woeful.

I'm intrigued KR, where do you park?? That's the very opposite of my experience of parking at ANZ.

[Big Al]

My son and I will be driving up from Ballarat, hoping to find somewhere to stay within easy driving distance of the stadium. What's the parking like there?

The best part of ANZ is the parking. As Erica said the best bet is prepay P1, get there for the Ressies and you'll be sweet in getting out pretty quickly.

[wolftone57]

Don't care about the car parks as I will be going out there by Pubic Transport:clap:. All I care about is getting a good view of the action. I think we will win but games like this are danger games because players can take them a bit too easily. Don't lat Sheedy's mad act fool you he is as sharp as a tack. That bugger will pull a swifty before the start of the season 'Don't You Worry About That' as Joe says.

[desredandwhite]

Roosy you could not have ever parked at ANZ if you think that, I'm not a fan of the ground by any stretch of the imagination but the parking (particularly P1) is the one thing I give a big tick too. The access is superb and exiting is far, far easier and quicker than any of the parking stations at the SCG and as Erica said, pre pay and it's easier still.

I'm not prone to exaggeration, however I believe the parking at ANZ to be approximately one million times better than the gladiatorial @@@@fight that is the post-game Moore Park shuffle. If you get there early enough (say 1.5 hours or more before game time), you can get parking on the first 2-3 levels in P1, which means you have a nice easy run out of Olympic Park. OP was designed from the ground up to get lots of people in and out in a hurry, and my experience has shown that it is much easier than at the SCG. Park on the top level though, and you have to fight your way out....

[erica]

Even on the top level, I've never had problems exiting from P1. The down ramps are designed to aid flow of cars. I think it's the best designed multi-level car park I've been in!

[Adelaide Swan]

Especially considering that the cost of train travel is normally included in ANZ stadium tickets - I assume this will be the case with GWS games, or at least this one....

Not sure how GW$ will do it but having been a long time regular at our games at ANZ, the train ticket cost is included in match tickets.

In saying all that, public transport is a lot better going to ANZ than the SCG.

The amount of times I have been to the SCG, it is bad even for a small crowd.

I went to the 3rd Day of the Sydney cricket Test(Michael Clarke's 300) and getting out of the place took ages.

[Adelaide Swan]

I'm intrigued KR, where do you park?? That's the very opposite of my experience of parking at ANZ.

I usually get public transport, mate.

I have gone in by car to ANZ a few times and parked in a side street not far from the ground.

It's not too bad doing it that way but I've always thought public transport was the better option.

[Adelaide Swan]

Don't care about the car parks as I will be going out there by Pubic Transport:clap:. All I care about is getting a good view of the action. I think we will win but games like this are danger games because players can take them a bit too easily. Don't lat Sheedy's mad act fool you he is as sharp as a tack. That bugger will pull a swifty before the start of the season 'Don't You Worry About That' as Joe says.

Agreed, I think we'll win but I desperately hope our players don't go into the game believing they just have to turn up to get the points.

[Adelaide Swan]

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/afl/greater-wester-sydney-star-israel-folau-ready-for-round-one-kevin-sheedy/story-e6frexwr-1226246730335

I see Sheedy is heavily spruiking Folau again.

[wolftone57]

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/afl/greater-wester-sydney-star-israel-folau-ready-for-round-one-kevin-sheedy/story-e6frexwr-1226246730335

I see Sheedy is heavily spruiking Folau again.

There will be more mind games before the game. Sheedy is the master of the mind game.

[Primmy]

There will be more mind games before the game. Sheedy is the master of the mind game.
Problem is, Swans haven't a track record of playing mind games. Can you imagine Horse dancing around in the mind game battle? Leaves Sheeds with a party of one. Don't think anyone in redandwhite could be bothered enough about him to come out to play.

[wolftone57]

Problem is, Swans haven't a track record of playing mind games. Can you imagine Horse dancing around in the mind game battle? Leaves Sheeds with a party of one. Don't think anyone in redandwhite could be bothered enough about him to come out to play.

No they won't as we have already seen with Sheeds trying to bait Richard Colless by calling him 'King Richard'. But he will keep it up anyway to get exposure in the media for the game.

[Adelaide Swan]

There will be more mind games before the game. Sheedy is the master of the mind game.

Exactly, I am confident the boys are smart enough not to be fooled by Sheedy's mind games.

[wolftone57]

I think Sheeds will get quite a few converts out west because they are going to come to the conclusion that this bloke is one of them. He was born and raised in inner city working class Melbourne and a lot of people in the west will identify with him. He comes over as a knock about bloke and Sydney-siders love that.

[Primmy]

Yep, he is the master of "playing the game", even to hook in the westers. Go for it. Anything to boost readership in the local papers, and then possibly even getting reasonable AFL coverage! Oohhwha. Have I overstepped the mark! Great Expectations.

[Adelaide Swan]

Yep, he is the master of "playing the game", even to hook in the westers. Go for it. Anything to boost readership in the local papers, and then possibly even getting reasonable AFL coverage! Oohhwha. Have I overstepped the mark! Great Expectations.

I'd still rather those westers come and support us though, mate.

[jono2707]

I think Sheeds will get quite a few converts out west because they are going to come to the conclusion that this bloke is one of them. He was born and raised in inner city working class Melbourne and a lot of people in the west will identify with him. He comes over as a knock about bloke and Sydney-siders love that.

I doubt it - do not underestimate the level of support that rugby league, and even soccer, have out west. If there's one thing our westies don't like, its an outsider coming in and thinking they can tell them what's what. Of course GWS will win over a fair number of people out west, but that will be due to the sheer weight of dollars thrown in that direction and will have little to do with the babble that keeps streaming from so-called coach Sheedy's mouth.

I have always thought that Russell Crowe was the biggest DH to come to live in Sydney, closely followed by Kyle Sandilands, but lately Sheeds is giving them both a real run for their money...........

[wolftone57]

I'd still rather those westers come and support us though, mate.

I think you'd better get used to being a two club town KR and that we basically are going to be considered the Eastern/Northern club and them the western club, after all they are called Greater Western Sydney.

[wolftone57]

Russell Crowe may as well be seen as a Sydneysider as he came here when only 4 years old. I doubt he had time to develop into a DH in that time, it was all developed here & in the US.

[Adelaide Swan]

I think you'd better get used to being a two club town KR and that we basically are going to be considered the Eastern/Northern club and them the western club, after all they are called Greater Western Sydney.

The Southern suburbs get neglected in that assesment.

I come from the southern suburbs and whenever I go to ANZ there is always busloads of Swans fans heading back south.

I don't think GWS will affect us as much as I first thought. I agree with Jono's assesment that a lot of westies or westerners won't like the outsider in Sheeds coming in like a bushranger coming to plunder the area.

As he said don't underestimate the level of support for league and soccer there and even rugby union with the Hills being on GWS' hitlist being a welded on rugby area.

This is where we Swans fans are far too passive in that sense.

If we look at the two Melbourne A-League soccer clubs, Victory fans were very hostile to the introduction of the Heart and whenever I read anything from south of the Murray Victory fans always say there is only one team in Melbourne.

[wolftone57]

I doubt it - do not underestimate the level of support that rugby league, and even soccer, have out west. If there's one thing our westies don't like, its an outsider coming in and thinking they can tell them what's what. Of course GWS will win over a fair number of people out west, but that will be due to the sheer weight of dollars thrown in that direction and will have little to do with the babble that keeps streaming from so-called coach Sheedy's mouth.

I have always thought that Russell Crowe was the biggest DH to come to live in Sydney, closely followed by Kyle Sandilands, but lately Sheeds is giving them both a real run for their money...........

You talked about Soccer out west. The problem with Soccer is that the opportunities to make a living at it even if you are good enough are few. The other problem is that even if you are good enough it doesn't mean you will be picked up by an 'A' League club. This is because some clubs like Sydney FC insist that you pay a fee for being drafted. I know a lad who was named as a draft prospect who was told if he didn't pay a specified amount of money he wouldn't be drafted. He plays in the suburban league. League is also another game that is restricted as you have to have a certain body shape or type. The majority of junior stars never develop into League stars because their body doesn't develop into the right shape. Aussie Rules are just starting to realise that maybe being 6' is not the be all and end all and some smaller players, as in under 5'10, are being drafted again, especially if they are fast

[Cheer Squad]

Problem is, Swans haven't a track record of playing mind games. Can you imagine Horse dancing around in the mind game battle? Leaves Sheeds with a party of one. Don't think anyone in redandwhite could be bothered enough about him to come out to play.

The problem with Sheedy's antics is that he's getting all the media attention and making us seem invisible.

Longmire's a straight shooter and doesn't have the personality for this sort of thing. Roos didn't either, but he did know how to play the Sydney media for the club's benefit. We had presence and an identity with Roos.

[jono2707]

The problem with Sheedy's antics is that he's getting all the media attention and making us seem invisible.

Longmire's a straight shooter and doesn't have the personality for this sort of thing. Roos didn't either, but he did know how to play the Sydney media for the club's benefit. We had presence and an identity with Roos.

I agree that Longmire doesn't really seem too dynamic in front of the camera, but Sheedy's antics are well up the other end of the scale. Some of the things Sheedy says are so ridiculous I think he is sometimes doing GWS more harm than good. Maybe the powers that be at the Swans are adopting a steady as she goes approach and are waiting for the GWS exeriment to fail.

[Adelaide Swan]

The problem with Sheedy's antics is that he's getting all the media attention and making us seem invisible.

Longmire's a straight shooter and doesn't have the personality for this sort of thing. Roos didn't either, but he did know how to play the Sydney media for the club's benefit. We had presence and an identity with Roos.

Wholeheartedly agree CS.

It's annoying me all football news in the Sydney press has been about them and nothing about us.

[Big Al]

The problem with Sheedy's antics is that he's getting all the media attention and making us seem invisible.

Longmire's a straight shooter and doesn't have the personality for this sort of thing. Roos didn't either, but he did know how to play the Sydney media for the club's benefit. We had presence and an identity with Roos.

I think Longmire is perfect for the club from a football sense but certainly not as a salesmen for the club. Sheedy and Phil Gould are essentially using their abilities to market their respective clubs and letting others deal with actual football matters.

We should invite Roos back as football manager to engage GWS and make sure the club is in the spotlight and has a voice.

[Big Al]

Wholeheartedly agree CS.

It's annoying me all football news in the Sydney press has been about them and nothing about us.

It has nothing to do with the press. GWS are giving them stuff to write about while we go about our business quietly which as I said above has to change otherwise GWS will dominate the AFL content in our papers

[Big Al]

I agree that Longmire doesn't really seem too dynamic in front of the camera, but Sheedy's antics are well up the other end of the scale. Some of the things Sheedy says are so ridiculous I think he is sometimes doing GWS more harm than good. Maybe the powers that be at the Swans are adopting a steady as she goes approach and are waiting for the GWS exeriment to fail.

The person who is steering that course needs to be SACKED and SACKED now. GWS are not going anywhere and sticking your head in the sand is a ridiculous strategy.

Sheedy has been brilliant in that he has done his job and that is to get a new club noticed in Rugby League heartland. If the statements are ridiculous then where is the return fire from the Swans.

We need the Swans to step up to the plate here.

[CJK]

When yobbo westies shout rubbish the most dignified thing to do is ignore them.

[swansrob]

I'm quite happy to go about our business and let on-field results do the talking come March 24 and beyond...

[jono2707]

The person who is steering that course needs to be SACKED and SACKED now. GWS are not going anywhere and sticking your head in the sand is a ridiculous strategy.

Sheedy has been brilliant in that he has done his job and that is to get a new club noticed in Rugby League heartland. If the statements are ridiculous then where is the return fire from the Swans.

We need the Swans to step up to the plate here.

I dont think it's a case of heads being stuck in the sand, more a case of getting prepared for the season ahead so our footy can do the talking. We should not be taking on GWS in a 'who can say the most ridiculous thing' contest - we'll let them win that one. Whilst I agree that we could be hearing more out of the club in the offseason, it was always going to be a case of GWS garnering a lot of press in the lead up to their first season.

[wolftone57]

The person who is steering that course needs to be SACKED and SACKED now. GWS are not going anywhere and sticking your head in the sand is a ridiculous strategy.

Sheedy has been brilliant in that he has done his job and that is to get a new club noticed in Rugby League heartland. If the statements are ridiculous then where is the return fire from the Swans.

We need the Swans to step up to the plate here.

I agree with you Al we need someone to promote the Swans. I get sick of not hearing anything from the club while Sheeds rabbits on about GWS, Colless, How weak we are for not reacting, Special Games like the 'CROSS TOWN CLASH', League, Soccer, Union, Baseball, Cricket, Tidlywinks (he really didn't mention that but what the hell):smile:. Yet as someone says we go about our business without a whimper and yes hopefully we will answer with results but I would love to see a bit of banter.

[Wardy]

I dont think it's a case of heads being stuck in the sand, more a case of getting prepared for the season ahead so our footy can do the talking. We should not be taking on GWS in a 'who can say the most ridiculous thing' contest - we'll let them win that one. Whilst I agree that we could be hearing more out of the club in the offseason, it was always going to be a case of GWS garnering a lot of press in the lead up to their first season.

lets not forget that Sheedy has a good 20 odd years up on Longmire at this game - also Sheeds can relate to the working class because he was that himself and worked as a tradie during his footy career because back in those days a player had too. And really, he was a very successful coach for the one club for a hell of a long time. Anyone who thinks otherwise is nuts. He has a job too do - and as much as it give's a number on here the @@@@s - he's obviously doing a terrific job because people are taking notice. The Swans about 5 years back didnt think the GWS thing would really happen, and sat on their hands in that belief, I bet they didnt think that Sheeds would be at the helm.

So people, like it or hate it, its happening, its time to let go of this woe is us negative stuff - there are things you can change and things you cant - GWS is here to stay - so lets just deal with it - enjoy our team (hopefully) thrashing them and look forward to the new season ahead.

[Kirkari]

When yobbo westies shout rubbish the most dignified thing to do is ignore them.

Yep. To do otherwise is just like barking back at a dog.

[Lucky Knickers]

I dont think it's a case of heads being stuck in the sand, more a case of getting prepared for the season ahead so our footy can do the talking. We should not be taking on GWS in a 'who can say the most ridiculous thing' contest - we'll let them win that one. Whilst I agree that we could be hearing more out of the club in the offseason, it was always going to be a case of GWS garnering a lot of press in the lead up to their first season.
Yep - let's give it to them Swans Style. Action NOT words.
Just a comment on hearing more from the Club - I do think we are very lucky with the media department and that there was rarely a day when we haven't heard from the Club via a new Swans TV or article.
It's going to ramp up more.

[wolftone57]

The Swans Media Department got a big one with the joint training session with Warrington. I agree with Wardy, Kirkari & Lucky that Sheeds is just doing his job and doing it well if the reaction is anything to go by. Our PR & Football Depts pulled off a very big spoiler in the Joint Training Session with the Wolves though and a great promo it is in League mad Sydney.

[Cheer Squad]

In today's SMH:

Swans focus on teaching upstart neighbours a lesson (http://www.smh.com.au/afl/afl-news/swans-focus-on-teaching-upstart-neighbours-a-lesson-20120118-1q6o4.html)

Maybe it's just a co-incidence that an article like this appears after a day or two of discussions on this forum? ;)

[Adelaide Swan]

In today's SMH:

Swans focus on teaching upstart neighbours a lesson (http://www.smh.com.au/afl/afl-news/swans-focus-on-teaching-upstart-neighbours-a-lesson-20120118-1q6o4.html)

Maybe it's just a co-incidence that an article like this appears after a day or two of discussions on this forum? ;)

Yeah, it was something that was seriously concerning me looking at the lack of media activity from the club with our noisy new neighbours making all the headlines.

Hopefully our players go out there in Round 1 an annihilate the Giants and put a muzzle on Kevin Sheedy's mouth.

[AnnieH]

KR, they don't make muzzles big enough!!

Good to see anything in the paper about the Swans at this time of the year.

[Adelaide Swan]

KR, they don't make muzzles big enough!!

Good to see anything in the paper about the Swans at this time of the year.

Haha very true Annie.

Yeah it's always quiet in the offseason but it gets annoying seeing our noisy new neighbours hogging all the football headlines in the Sydney press.

[SydAFLFan]

Yeah, it was something that was seriously concerning me looking at the lack of media activity from the club with our noisy new neighbours making all the headlines.

Hopefully our players go out there in Round 1 an annihilate the Giants and put a muzzle on Kevin Sheedy's mouth.

Dont forget, Sheedy has to create a sideshow at the moment because when the football begins - assuming they have a similiar season to Gold Coast last year - the sideshow will help distract the focus from all the games they lose. From a journo's point of view, they will be inclined to write more articles on GWS this year and that is not a problem in the short term for the Swans. Most of the articles will be about how badly they lost, the struggle in the west, and anti AFL pro rugby driven ones. The Swans will get articles written about the season and how they are going. Expect Sheedy's sideshow to really kick in then as it will help GWS get past the negative press. He has always been a master of this. Longmire can and should leave the focus on the Swans team and the season.

[Primmy]

I have a mental picture here. Later down the track. Jarred Crouch is an assistant coach, and he has been allocated media duties. Replies to all questions "none of your business".

So ladies and gents of the redandwhite code, it could be worse!

[Primmy]

I have a mental picture here. Later down the track. Jarred Crouch is an assistant coach, and he has been allocated media duties. Replies to all questions "none of your business".

So ladies and gents of the redandwhite code, it could be worse!
He did that on purpose. The interview with the Swans about his role.....talk talk talk. What happened to the old taciturn Crouch the Grouch I have come to know and love! The world is changing and I am not sure I like it.

[707]

I've had a look at the GWS list and it appears they only have 14 mature aged players and several of those are in the real veteran class. That means at a minimum they will have 8 kids in their side and possibly more debuting against us and thse kids will be nervous like most debutants.

GWS have taken a different recruiting tack to Gold Coast and are no where near as capable as an AFL team as the Gold Coast were last year. Don't forget that GCS had some very good mature recruits led of course by the mercurial Ablett. GCS had far more depth and class last year than GWS will trot out this year. Gold Coast also had more outstanding and more developed youngsters than GWS currently have.

If you closely scrutinise their list, GWS are not capable of beating anyone this year, they won't win a game. Their time is in 4-5 years onwards and they have planned it that way.

If it's a fine night for the season opener, and given the quality, experience and physical maturity of our team, if we don't beat them by 15 goals I'd be disappointed. This is one team that our new forward structure should really work well against. We should monster them all over the ground. Speaking of monstering, Tommy Walsh will debut.

[wolftone57]

I will be at the first match. I will also be joining you lot in the Red Zone this year as I have just bought membership. They have a new pay by the month option which I took being a pensioner. I know the first game is a GWS Home game but I think it is important to get behind it and support our side. By doing this we are supporting Australian Football in this a League State.

[CJK]

Today's Fin Review has the Chairman of the Canberra Giants saying they are aiming to win between 1 and 3 games this year.

:rofl :rofl :rofl :rofl

[wolftone57]

I have a mental picture here. Later down the track. Jarred Crouch is an assistant coach, and he has been allocated media duties. Replies to all questions "none of your business".

So ladies and gents of the redandwhite code, it could be worse!

The Alan Jeans and Mick Malthouse standard reply

[wolftone57]

I have a mental picture here. Later down the track. Jarred Crouch is an assistant coach, and he has been allocated media duties. Replies to all questions "none of your business".

So ladies and gents of the redandwhite code, it could be worse!

The Alan Jeans and Mick Malthouse standard reply

[Wardy]

Today's Fin Review has the Chairman of the Canberra Giants saying they are aiming to win between 1 and 3 games this year.

:rofl :rofl :rofl :rofl

At least he wasnt saying that they'd win the comp. Now that would be silly.

Still no one expected the Suns to win a game at all - so they proved the doubting Thomas's/Thomasina's wrong - even if it wasnt against quality opposition - they still did way better than anyone expected.

[707]

I still stick with my "GWS won't win a game" stance.

I've had a good look at the GWS list and it is a fair bit short of the Gold Coast list of last year. Can't see any team having such an off day that GWS could win a game this year.

[wolftone57]

I also have had a good look at GWS and I think you are wrong 707. I think they will win a few games and they will push a few sides. They have a few experienced players at the end of careers and a couple of mature recruits.

Dean Brogan (Port Premiership player & tough guy)

Chad Cornes (Port Utility, probably play forward for GWS)

Phil Davis (Crows are really pissed off he went to GWS)

Isreal Folau (has been developing very well for a convert)

James McDonald (Ex Melb veteran and top performer)

Rhyce Palmer (Dockers are idiots not to keep this bloke real talent here)

Luke Power (How mant GF's with Brissie? Great player still & was good last year)

Sentanta O'Hailpin (much maligned at Carlton I think will be better here)

Ton Scully ( Number 1 draft pick and top player already)

Callan Ward (Top talent will be missed by Bullies)

Mature Age Recruits

Steve Clifton (24) Liston Trophy Winner in the VFL. You have to be pretty good to win a B&F Award at this level. I suggest a very good pick up

Jonathon Giles (23) A ruckman who was on Port Adelaide's list but was delisted. He transferred from Central to Sturt in the SANFL and was SANFL Ruckman of the year last year

Tim Mohr (23) Casey Scorpions B & F last year and a tall 6'3" fast utility

Sam Reid (22) The All Australian Acadamy player voted most valuable player on tour of South Africa

I think they have recruited very well even though some of the players could be seen as over the hill. They will have an impact on the younger blokes. A few premiership players here.

[Big Al]

On paper compared to the other lists they will struggle to win any games but as we know footy isn't played on paper and they may jag a couple of victories against the weaker opponents.

Fearless Predictions: 2 wins - GWS to beat the Suns in Canberra and Port at the Showgrounds.

Swans by 78 and 112 in the 2 games this year.

[wolftone57]

On paper compared to the other lists they will struggle to win any games but as we know footy isn't played on paper and they may jag a couple of victories against the weaker opponents.

Fearless Predictions: 2 wins - GWS to beat the Suns in Canberra and Port at the Showgrounds.

Swans by 78 and 112 in the 2 games this year.

That is a big prediction Al. I think they will do better than that. I think Port will be lucky to even get within 100 points of most sides in the comp. They haven't really done a great deal about their list and they decided on not going for Leon! I think they are done & dusted for at least 5 years. Bullies are on the way out and so are the Saints and at board level they are already starting to self combust. They haven't really recruited that well and Watters first draft will really be his next. North will try but struggle against the really good sides. The Crows are rebuilding but had a couple of kicks in the face when Davis & Armstrong walked. They virtually have no top ruckmen and their forward line is a bit sus and if they are lazy they leak goals. So I reckon GWS are a shot against all of these with North being the hardest. I forgot Brissie & Richmond. They could easily beat brissie and Richmond go on holidays every three weeks and then have a mid season break. GCS are a shot of course.

[Wardy]

On paper compared to the other lists they will struggle to win any games but as we know footy isn't played on paper and they may jag a couple of victories against the weaker opponents.

yeah how many times "on paper" were we supposed to easily dispose of a side only to lose and lose badly?? too many to list. Oh well we jsut have to wait and see I guess.

[Swansongster]

Just booked my flights for the season's opener. No dramas for me going to Homebush. Easier to get there for interstaters IMHO (special events bus from Roseville).

I am sure my one-eyed kids will enjoy a good old fashioned flogging. Don't want to start counting my chickens, but I do feel confident there is more than 100 of them for this game.

Bring on 2012. Forever the optimist, I have a good feeling about this year. We are older, stronger and wiser than 2011 and we did alright last year.

[707]

Administrators, don't lose this thread as it will be needed at end of August.

Wolftone, if they have no injuries then 14 will be mature bodies, very mature in some cases, plus another five of those are new/ish to AFL at top level. That means eight kids at a minimum each week. I think every other team including Poor Power can more than match GWS - on paper, and should do so on the field as well. I just don't think all 14of the mature types and the minimum eight kids can all get it together on the one day against a poor team having a downer day.

I say again, GWS will not win a game in 2012!

[Cheer Squad]

yeah how many times "on paper" were we supposed to easily dispose of a side only to lose and lose badly?? too many to list. Oh well we just have to wait and see I guess.

At the top of that list must surely be the nightmare against Richmond at the MCG last year...followed closely by the Demons debacle at the same venue the previous year...

Anyway, Round 1 should be interesting, to say the least, but I can't see us losing.

[wolftone57]

yeah how many times "on paper" were we supposed to easily dispose of a side only to lose and lose badly?? too many to list. Oh well we jsut have to wait and see I guess.

On paper we should never have made it in '96 but we did. The pundits said we would bow out early in the 2005 finals but did we? On paper is a good place for exam answers not a footy side I rather like mine on the field

[Big Al]

On paper we should never have made it in '96 but we did. The pundits said we would bow out early in the 2005 finals but did we? On paper is a good place for exam answers not a footy side I rather like mine on the field

Spot on! It's fun debating the merits of the sides on paper but once they cross that white line there are too many variables that can swing a contest either way.

[mcs]

I think GWS will really struggle - they don't have the overall quality that Gold Coast had last season. I think they might sneak 1 or 2 wins, but no more than that to be honest this year. In a few years time they will be a very good football team indeed (as will the suns) as they will have a lot of high quality younger players maturing together.

[Bas]

Spot on! It's fun debating the merits of the sides on paper but once they cross that white line there are too many variables that can swing a contest either way.

The Swans remind us of that too many times each season.

[Jenny]

Hi All,

We've just found out that the member's pre-sale for Round 1 will be next Monday.
Swans members will be given a password to receive a 10% discount off ticket purchases. We are still confirming all the details, so check your eNews this week for more information.

We're hoping to see a big crowd out there to kick off the year. Imagine a sea of red and white to greet our new rivals!

Jenny

[erica]

Ooh goody! The real games! Thanks for the heads-up, Jenny.

[wolftone57]

Hi All,

We've just found out that the member's pre-sale for Round 1 will be next Monday.
Swans members will be given a password to receive a 10% discount off ticket purchases. We are still confirming all the details, so check your eNews this week for more information.

We're hoping to see a big crowd out there to kick off the year. Imagine a sea of red and white to greet our new rivals!

Jenny

That sounds great Jenny. Can't wait for this game

[Big Al]

My 100% discount with the RAS will come in handy for this game.

46.51 days to go.

[wolftone57]

My 100% discount with the RAS will come in handy for this game.

46.51 days to go.

.51 Al? Wow that is dedication. :smile: I can't wait either. My nephew came up from Melbourne for my birthday party and we discussed footy as always. He is a member at the Hawks and has been since he could crawl. So the footy discussion was mad and I loved it as we get few chances to talk real footy up here other than on a site like this. It looks like they are in good shape so we will have to watch the Hawks carefully. I think we are in great shape, touch wood, I am predicting Top Four if things all go right (no injuries etc). I also think we need to be wary of this first game against GWS as they are going to throw everything at us.

[Hartijon]

I think GWS will take Pt. Adelaide apart if they play them over here.

[Dosser]

I think GWS will take Pt. Adelaide apart if they play them over here.

In Thailand? Just tell them to stay away from Patong beach.

[wolftone57]

If I remember rightly the Port players had a little trouble on an end of season trip to Thailand a few years ago! 'Big Trouble Trouble In Little Thailand' I think was the Advertiser headline. My brother is a Port fan and even he says they are going to be lucky to get within 10 goals of any side this year.

[Cheer Squad]

Any guesses as to the likely size of the crowd for Round 1?

Perusing the Giants website, they've apparently converted 4424 of those 12190 foundation members to full club members (seems a bit on the light side). So at least 4424 in some kind of orange gear should turn up.

How many of our people are gonna show?

All up I think the crowd will probably be about 25,000. Is that too conservative?

[jono2707]

Any guesses as to the likely size of the crowd for Round 1?

Perusing the Giants website, they've apparently converted 4424 of those 12190 foundation members to full club members (seems a bit on the light side). So at least 4424 in some kind of orange gear should turn up.

How many of our people are gonna show?

All up I think the crowd will probably be about 25,000. Is that too conservative?

It all depends on how many freebies are given out in the Telegraph and at schools. I would think closer to 40,000 (or above) would be the bare minimum as the AFL wouldn't look too flash playing the first 'derby', the first match of GWS, and the first match of the season, to 60,000+ empty seats. They'll try to get as much of a rent a crowd there as they can...

[Big Al]

I am hoping the hype will ramp up in the next 46 days so I'm hoping for at least 35-40k but I fear it may be wishful thinking. Therefore at this stage i'll guess 28,500.

If GWS and the AFL were serious about the crowd they'd throw open the gates as a promotional tool for the game. Somehow I don't think the bean counters at the AFL would ever allow it.

[Hartijon]

In Thailand? Just tell them to stay away from Patong beach.

They will be chasing ping pong balls!

[R-1]

Any guesses as to the likely size of the crowd for Round 1?

Perusing the Giants website, they've apparently converted 4424 of those 12190 foundation members to full club members (seems a bit on the light side). So at least 4424 in some kind of orange gear should turn up.

How many of our people are gonna show?

All up I think the crowd will probably be about 25,000. Is that too conservative?

One of those is me, and I'll be there in red and white if I make it up.

[jono2707]

I am hoping the hype will ramp up in the next 46 days so I'm hoping for at least 35-40k but I fear it may be wishful thinking. Therefore at this stage i'll guess 28,500.

If GWS and the AFL were serious about the crowd they'd throw open the gates as a promotional tool for the game. Somehow I don't think the bean counters at the AFL would ever allow it.

Anything under 30,000 would be abysmal for the AFL - the AFL intend to make a real showcase of this match and you would hope the promotional wheels will turn faster and faster the closer we get to the day. I still don't count out the idea of freebies, or maybe $5 or $10 tickets in the Telegraph in the week leading up to the game - trying to get as many of the great unwashed to the game as possible to have a stickybeak....

[erica]

Anything under 30,000 would be abysmal for the AFL - the AFL intend to make a real showcase of this match and you would hope the promotional wheels will turn faster and faster the closer we get to the day. I still don't count out the idea of freebies, or maybe $5 or $10 tickets in the Telegraph in the week leading up to the game - trying to get as many of the great unwashed to the game as possible to have a stickybeak....

They should start by selling cheap tickets to members next week. Pay full price less 10% discount next week or hang out until cheap or free tickets get offered closer to the game? Hmm...

[Matt79]

They should start by selling cheap tickets to members next week. Pay full price less 10% discount next week or hang out until cheap or free tickets get offered closer to the game? Hmm...

Why should it be a charity case Erica? I am sure that members of AFL clubs in Victoria or other states don't get discounts to away games!?! If it was done across the board good and well but it is not.

I will be happily buying a ticket to go and watch the Swannies belt the new comers in round 1!

[Big Al]

Why should it be a charity case Erica? I am sure that members of AFL clubs in Victoria or other states don't get discounts to away games!?! If it was done across the board good and well but it is not.

I will be happily buying a ticket to go and watch the Swannies belt the new comers in round 1!

We want more people to sample out great game and become supporters. Price is one mechanism that can and should be used to help with this. Free tickets to the schools is one thing I fully support. I know of 2 Soccer fans who became AFL supporters because they used freebies to a Swans game and became hooked.

[Matt79]

We want more people to sample out great game and become supporters. Price is one mechanism that can and should be used to help with this. Free tickets to the schools is one thing I fully support. I know of 2 Soccer fans who became AFL supporters because they used freebies to a Swans game and became hooked.

I agree with that mate. Sorry I should have clarified my position better...I was simply referring to the 10% discount for members. I think that is great. I thought Erica was implying that was not good at all.

[Big Al]

I agree with that mate. Sorry I should have clarified my position better...I was simply referring to the 10% discount for members. I think that is great. I thought Erica was implying that was not good at all.

Fair enough mate!!

[erica]

The AFL will subsidise GWS with masses of money because they want the team to succeed. I don't see any reason why I shouldn't take advantage of this largesse. :smile:

[Matt79]

The AFL will subsidise GWS with masses of money because they want the team to succeed. I don't see any reason why I shouldn't take advantage of this largesse. :smile:

Fair enough! :)

[Cheer Squad]

Anything under 30,000 would be abysmal for the AFL - the AFL intend to make a real showcase of this match and you would hope the promotional wheels will turn faster and faster the closer we get to the day. I still don't count out the idea of freebies, or maybe $5 or $10 tickets in the Telegraph in the week leading up to the game - trying to get as many of the great unwashed to the game as possible to have a stickybeak....

As they don't have many members, GWS will have to play the Israel Folau card very hard to encourage people in their catchment area to come. You know, "come along and see how Israel goes", that sort of thing. That's when the AFL will find out if their investment in him as a marketing tool is working.

But to get more than 30,000, you'd think our supporters would have to do most of the heavy lifting. That's why I'm a bit skeptical as to how big the crowd will be, given a) the aversion to Homebush many of our Sydney supporters have, b) the fact that it's not really one of our home games anyway, and c) that the opposition isn't expected to put up much opposition.

[R-1]

They should be giving two free tickets to every Auskick kid in Sydney, but beyond that I don't think free tickets are a good idea.

Though including entry in our memberships would be a nice touch, at least for the first year.

[mcs]

As they don't have many members, GWS will have to play the Israel Folau card very hard to encourage people in their catchment area to come. You know, "come along and see how Israel goes", that sort of thing. That's when the AFL will find out if their investment in him as a marketing tool is working.

But to get more than 30,000, you'd think our supporters would have to do most of the heavy lifting. That's why I'm a bit skeptical as to how big the crowd will be, given a) the aversion to Homebush many of our Sydney supporters have, b) the fact that it's not really one of our home games anyway, and c) that the opposition isn't expected to put up much opposition.

Its going to be an interesting one to see what the crowd is. I think it may be a bit bigger - 35k to 40k, mainly because you'd expect all the giants members will want to be there for their 1st official game, and hopefully the club works hard ot make sure as many in red and white get to it. It'll more than likely be a very one sided affair (the more one sided the better if you ask me but that is the red and white blood in me saying that) but I think they'll do ok. I'm certainly looking forward to getting up the Hume to see us smash those Guaranteed Wooden Spooners!

[Cheer Squad]

I'm certainly looking forward to getting up the Hume to see us smash those Guaranteed Wooden Spooners!

So that's what GWS really means! Brilliant! :clap:

Can you claim that one as your own? It's the first time I've heard it.

[mcs]

So that's what GWS really means! Brilliant! :clap:

Can you claim that one as your own? It's the first time I've heard it.

Sadly not.... we were having an office chat about GWS at some stage late last year and the Wet Coke fan came up with it - however as he is a wet coke fan, I am more than happy to claim it as my own work! :wink:

[wolftone57]

I think the crowd will be good after all both here and Big Footy are talking about it and the upshot is most are going. I don't think giving tickets at Auskick only is a good idea. I think free tickets to all the schools in their Sydney zone to get some support happening for GWS would be great. I was looking through their list and I don't think they are as far behind GC as people think. They have picked up some impressive mature age recruits and a few spoilers. They are very tall and one of their players at 6'4" is apparently ultra quick. Don't be surprised if they put up a decent fight.

[Dosser]

I think the crowd will be good after all both here and Big Footy are talking about it and the upshot is most are going. I don't think giving tickets at Auskick only is a good idea. I think free tickets to all the schools in their Sydney zone to get some support happening for GWS would be great. I was looking through their list and I don't think they are as far behind GC as people think. They have picked up some impressive mature age recruits and a few spoilers. They are very tall and one of their players at 6'4" is apparently ultra quick. Don't be surprised if they put up a decent fight.

So was Barlow.

[firsty]

Big Al

sorry to be the bearer of bad news but RAS members don't get complementary tickets to swans games at ANZ stadium this year

from the RAS reciprocal rights membership PDF (http://www.rasnsw.com.au/2012_ANZS_Reciprocal_Rights_Member_Information.pdf )



http://mcgoffs.net/pics/swans-1.jpg




I finally upgraded to full RAS membership last year from being my wife's guest for the last 20 years so I could go to the swans games.... that lasted one year :(

[Big Al]

Wtf.. That stinks.

Thanks for the info Firsty, I had no idea it had changed. Looks like I'll be paying for Rd1 and using my normal seats for the other games.

[Kirkari]

Hope everyone's planning their red and white outfits to show up the GWS supporters at the ground. Wondering though - on TV, it's probably going to be very hard to tell the difference between red and orange. Hmmm...

[R-1]

I think the crowd will be good after all both here and Big Footy are talking about it and the upshot is most are going. I don't think giving tickets at Auskick only is a good idea. I think free tickets to all the schools in their Sydney zone to get some support happening for GWS would be great. I was looking through their list and I don't think they are as far behind GC as people think. They have picked up some impressive mature age recruits and a few spoilers. They are very tall and one of their players at 6'4" is apparently ultra quick. Don't be surprised if they put up a decent fight.

I've got at least one mate who knows his stuff who thinks the Giants list is actually stronger than the Gold Coast one was. Will be interesting to see.

[wolftone57]

So was Barlow.

Yes but this young bloke has talent unlike Ed!

[707]

I've got at least one mate who knows his stuff who thinks the Giants list is actually stronger than the Gold Coast one was. Will be interesting to see.

Not sure of your mates credentials but he needs to actually line up the two sides player for player and there's no way GWS are even close to Gold Coast of last year. GC recruited players in their prime, not players who were about to or who had been delisted.

Give me your GWS match ups in ability for this half dozen GC frst year players

G Ablett
M Rischitelli
N Bock
J Brennan
J Harbrow
C Brown

I rest my case!

[jono2707]

Not sure of your mates credentials but he needs to actually line up the two sides player for player and there's no way GWS are even close to Gold Coast of last year. GC recruited players in their prime, not players who were about to or who had been delisted.

Give me your GWS match ups in ability for this half dozen GC frst year players

G Ablett
M Rischitelli
N Bock
J Brennan
J Harbrow
C Brown

I rest my case!

x2 - it's no use judging some of GWS' 'old-aged' recruits on their past - the majority of these were let go by their clubs due to their age. Whilst some of them were once great players, they're now past it and really only there to offer some sort of guidance to the young recruits.

Of course GWS will put up a 'decent fight' in their first game - will it be good enough? Nowhere near it... They will do really well to win 1 game this year.

[wolftone57]

I would be a bit sus on Brennan as he is erratic and Harbrow in a competent footballer no more. Unfortunately Campbell Brown has a habit of fronting the tribunal and getting rubbed out for long stretches. Four weeks last stint and that was lucky not to be more. He also gets injured a bit because of the way he plays the game. He is a great player if he can control his 'White Line Fever' and stay injury free. That leaves Ablett, Rischitelli and Bock all great pick ups. But not enough experience in their line up for mine and it will take another twoo seasons at least to blood all the talent.

Some of the experienced players at GWS do look a bit past it but they could be good for bringing the young blokes along faster.
1. Dean Brogan, Chad Cornes and James McDonald all look a bit over the hill but might just be the experience needed to bond this young side.

2. I like Sentanta O'Hailpin, Rhys Palmer, Luke Power, Tom Scully and Callam Ward and they are all very highly rated players. I believe O'Hailpin was underrated by Carlton and it was difficult due to his ongoing difficulties with Waite.

3. I also like their recruiting of mature age players like;

Steve Clifton - Three times Liston Trophy Winner playing in the midfield for North Ballarat. They know how to win a
premiership.

Jonathon Giles - Delisted by Port and went back to the SANFL. He changed from Central to Sturt and was named first
ruck in the Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year.

Tim Mohr - Tall Defender and Casey Scorpions Best and Fairest

Sam Reid - A Mid who played only 10 games in three years at the Bulldogs due to injury. He is pretty highly rated if he can stay on the park.

That makes eleven mature bodies on the park as far as I can see. Five of them are rated or highly rated AFL footballers in their prime. Three highly rated AFL Players in decline and four rated players at a lower level. I think they could cause some damage this year. By the way I don't see Power as a player in decline as he was pretty good last year for Brissie.

By the way I think their midfield will be sensational and very dangerous.

[R-1]

Not sure of your mates credentials but he needs to actually line up the two sides player for player and there's no way GWS are even close to Gold Coast of last year. GC recruited players in their prime, not players who were about to or who had been delisted.

Give me your GWS match ups in ability for this half dozen GC frst year players

G Ablett
M Rischitelli
N Bock
J Brennan
J Harbrow
C Brown

I rest my case!

I think he's looking more at the wider group than just the former AFL players. He reckons they're, on the whole, a bit older and less raw. Like 19 and 20 instead of 17 and 18. I haven't checked this out though.

[707]

I think he's looking more at the wider group than just the former AFL players. He reckons they're, on the whole, a bit older and less raw. Like 19 and 20 instead of 17 and 18. I haven't checked this out though.

Nope, he's not correct. The stats show GWS has a very similar age profile as GC had last year except their mature players are more mid 20s rather than GWS who are early 20s.

I stick by the fact that there was a lot more talent in the core of GC last year than GWS have this ear.

[Peace]

Should we run a cheeky little RWO comp on how many players will kick 5+ goals on the night? Or is that a bit too arrogant...

[liz]

Nope, he's not correct. The stats show GWS has a very similar age profile as GC had last year except their mature players are more mid 20s rather than GWS who are early 20s.

I stick by the fact that there was a lot more talent in the core of GC last year than GWS have this ear.

I suspect that if you look at average age of the mature recruits, GWS are older. But an average is a meaningless measure at times, and certainly in this instance, because it will be lifted by the handful of golden oldies they have recruited. I think their competitiveness will be determined by whether they manage to eke enough out of Power, Brogan, Cornes and McDonald. Power and Brogan might have it in them to have one last decent season. Brogan, in particular, will at least bring a little mongrel into the centre square set-up if he can stay reasonably injury free.

I have my doubts over Cornes and McDonald contributing very much. I was surprised when Melbourne cut McDonald at the end of 2010 but he is now mid-30s and has been out of the game at the highest level for a year and a half. Cornes was a fantastic player in his prime but hasn't contributed very much to Port over the last couple of years, so it would take a massive form turnaround for him to lead the young GWS defence in the way that Bock was able to for GC.

I really like Ward as a player and would love him at the Swans. I think he might become a very good player when he has developed a bit more, but I reckon it's more likely to be at the "ROK" level of very good player, rather than the Ablett or Judd level. Davis, Palmer and Scully have all had injury curtailed seasons thus far so it is expecting a lot of them to be able to step right in and perform even at a Rischitelli level within the next year or two, let alone bring anything of what Ablett brings to the Suns.

Some of their midfield draftees sound very exciting, and with Cameron, Patton and maybe Bruce, they have some very promising tall forwards for the future. But "future" is the key word there. Depending on whether they manage to nab a top notch out of contract player or two at the end of this season, they may well be on their way to developing a better squad than GC. But I think they're going to find 2012 very very tough indeed.

[Wazza]

[QUOTE=liz;559452I have my doubts over Cornes and McDonald contributing very much. I was surprised when Melbourne cut McDonald at the end of 2010 but he is now mid-30s and has been out of the game at the highest level for a year and a half. Cornes was a fantastic player in his prime but hasn't contributed very much to Port over the last couple of years, so it would take a massive form turnaround for him to lead the young GWS defence in the way that Bock was able to for GC..[/QUOTE]

I would like them to play Cornes along side the little fella up fwd (the convert er) Cornes could be dangerous up front. Mates in Adelaide tell me Cornes has not been happy for last couple of seasons and could have a couple of seasons in him. McDonald is definately the baffling one given they also took power, but I think power will spend most time fwd, I think he could be very damaging for them. All in all I think GWS have done very well with the experienced recruits which could have an impact on their kids for years to come. IMHO they have recruited better than GC in this area. GWS to win 3 -4 games. lock it in Eddie

Cheers

waz

[707]

All in all I think GWS have done very well with the experienced recruits which could have an impact on their kids for years to come. IMHO they have recruited better than GC in this area. GWS to win 3 -4 games. lock it in Eddie

Cheers waz

What are you smoking Waz? Refer to my earlier post and match up those six GC mature recruits with six from GWS. They are worlds behind. Just do the comparison.

3-4 wins? I'll give you 10-1, how much do you want on?? I'll let you hav 10-1 on 3 wins :-)

[Wazza]

What are you smoking Waz? Refer to my earlier post and match up those six GC mature recruits with six from GWS. They are worlds behind. Just do the comparison.

3-4 wins? I'll give you 10-1, how much do you want on?? I'll let you hav 10-1 on 3 wins :-)

Im high on the smell of the up coming season, its like a drug I cant wait for it to get started.
Ok you are on $10, does RWO have a holding bank account:smile:
GWS to win 3 games.

Cheers

waz

[Big Al]

I think 3-4 wins is a stretch but no one can know for sure. No one with any certainty will know how many of their talented youngsters will make the grade in their first year or know how the mature age recruits will perform. Like most sides there are just too many variables that will affect performance either way.

I earlier predicted 2 wins and I'll stick with that.

[jono2707]

I think 3-4 is more likely to be closer to GWS' average crowd for 2012 rather than the number of wins they'll get.....

[707]

I think 3-4 is more likely to be closer to GWS' average crowd for 2012 rather than the number of wins they'll get.....

LOL!

Wazza, you're on for that $10 :-)

[wolftone57]

I think he's looking more at the wider group than just the former AFL players. He reckons they're, on the whole, a bit older and less raw. Like 19 and 20 instead of 17 and 18. I haven't checked this out though.

Most of the GWS players are 19, 20, 21 years old.

[wolftone57]

I would like them to play Cornes along side the little fella up fwd (the convert er) Cornes could be dangerous up front. Mates in Adelaide tell me Cornes has not been happy for last couple of seasons and could have a couple of seasons in him. McDonald is definately the baffling one given they also took power, but I think power will spend most time fwd, I think he could be very damaging for them. All in all I think GWS have done very well with the experienced recruits which could have an impact on their kids for years to come. IMHO they have recruited better than GC in this area. GWS to win 3 -4 games. lock it in Eddie

Cheers

waz

I agree Waz and their list is about the same age as GC in the main not counting the old blokes. Cornes will play forward, he played there when he went back to Glenelg and was super apparently. The word from Adelaide is Cornes and Primus never got along so he was always doomed as soon as Primus became coach. He has a couple left as a forward.

[wolftone57]

I predict the same as Waz at least 3 wins up to 5. They will beat Port and I think they are a chance against the Bullies, Melbourne, Crows and Saints. I think all the sides other than Port (who are just stuffed) are in a rebuilding phase.

[707]

Most of the GWS players are 19, 20, 21 years old.

Not sure what data you are looking at Wolfie but accordng to the current AFL Record, as of today they have twenty three 18 year olds on their list and two more that have just turned 19 to make a total of nine 19 year olds. So that's a whopping thirty two players who are 18 or 19 with a heavy bias to 18.

This is very similar to the make up of the Gold Coast list last year.

However, unlike Gold Coast, GWS have four players 32 and over.

Only ten of the GWS players have played at AFL level meaning when they meet us in the first round, at least 12 of their players will be first gamers. I am just praying for a fine night because on that player profile, we should smash them and get a nice percentage boost to kick off the season.

[ugg]

GWS have moved tonight's intra club match (6.45pm) from BOP to Lakeside Oval due to the storm out west last night. Anyone is welcomed to attend and I guess this applies to the Swans' coaches and spies as well because it will be just right outside their offices. How very convenient and thoughtful of the Giants.

Greater Western Sydney Giants | GIANTS intra club match (http://www.gwsgiants.com.au/giants-intra-club-match-has-been-moved.html)

[wolftone57]

Not sure what data you are looking at Wolfie but accordng to the current AFL Record, as of today they have twenty three 18 year olds on their list and two more that have just turned 19 to make a total of nine 19 year olds. So that's a whopping thirty two players who are 18 or 19 with a heavy bias to 18.

This is very similar to the make up of the Gold Coast list last year.

However, unlike Gold Coast, GWS have four players 32 and over.

Only ten of the GWS players have played at AFL level meaning when they meet us in the first round, at least 12 of their players will be first gamers. I am just praying for a fine night because on that player profile, we should smash them and get a nice percentage boost to kick off the season.

707 most of their players turn 19 this year so the majority will be 19 sometime during the season.

[wolftone57]

This is the age pool for GWS by August this year. Most of their players have just turned or are about to turn 19. Definitely the majority will be 19 by the end of June.
18; 5
19; 20
20; 7
21; 3
22; 3
23; 3
24; 2
29; 1
32; 2
33; 1
35; 1

And next year they may pick up some more experienced players

[707]

Interesting that Sheedy has published what he believes could be his R1 side.

Having now seen the side on paper and really digested it, a lot of the well known scribes are predicting a winless season for GWS. Good article in yesterday's Herald Sun where the author reckons this could be the weakest side to ever take the park in VFL/AFL history.

I'm sticking with no wins for the year and some massive smashings, hopefully one of those is in round one!

[Hartijon]

Its not this coming season we have to worry about with GWS. Its 3 -4 years down the track when the 19 year olds are 23 with 50+ games under their belt.Who cares if they don't win a game this year? Its all about potential down the track and like GCS ,they have got loads of that. Rather than glory in beating a team of teenagers we need to plan for matching this team in 4 years time otherwise it may not be fun playing them!

[wolftone57]

Its not this coming season we have to worry about with GWS. Its 3 -4 years down the track when the 19 year olds are 23 with 50+ games under their belt.Who cares if they don't win a game this year? Its all about potential down the track and like GCS ,they have got loads of that. Rather than glory in beating a team of teenagers we need to plan for matching this team in 4 years time otherwise it may not be fun playing them!

I agree. We can laugh now and say they are a nothing side due to being too young but in a few years time we might be laughing on the other side of our face. By the way have any of you heard of 'The Baby Bombers'? That wily old bugger developed a team in 1991 that just went short and they were mostly teenagers. so be careful of Sheeds cos he has a history of developing youngsters quickly.

[jono2707]

Sheedy won't be around in 3-4 years anyway. He's just a mouthpiece employed by the AFL and he'll be pensioned off before too long.

0 wins for GWS this year - but I agree that it's how they'll develop over the next few years. The bigger question is how poor will their crowds be and what will the AFl try to do to limit the embarrassment that this will cause?

[wolftone57]

Sheedy won't be around in 3-4 years anyway. He's just a mouthpiece employed by the AFL and he'll be pensioned off before too long.

0 wins for GWS this year - but I agree that it's how they'll develop over the next few years. The bigger question is how poor will their crowds be and what will the AFl try to do to limit the embarrassment that this will cause?

Jono, Sheeds will hand over to Mark 'Madman' Williams who also does a pretty goof job of getting a side to finals. The fact he has a bad W/L finals ratio is probably good for us. But with Sheeds going into say a job as Coaching Director there will still be more direction for Willo. The AFL have been trying to entice Roosie out of retirement to take the reins at GWS when Sheeds leaves but he isn't biting. An article in the Age by Caro Wilson
I don't know how it will go this year (http://www.smh.com.au/afl/afl-news/i-dont-know-how-it-will-go-this-year-20120210-1slh4.html)
points out just how sticky Roos relationship with the AFL has become. Due mainly to the launch of GWS in Sydney. After Demetriou slagged us off there has always been antagonism between Roos, if not Sydney, and the AFL.

[707]

A little help needed folks. I'm coming to Sydney for the GWS game but I've never been to ANZ before.

I've had the e-mail about tickets from the club, is it worth just ignoring th cost and going for the Platinum tickets. Will they be the best seats?

Thanks in advance

[Big Al]

707,If it was my first trip to a ground I'd pay to sit in the best seats. Platinum are the bays on the centre wing and on Level 4. Level 4 can be a little high for some but it depends on your preference. I sit in towards the back in Bay 130 normally which IMO is about as good as it gets at ANZ.

[msb]

I predict the same as Waz at least 3 wins up to 5. They will beat Port and I think they are a chance against the Bullies, Melbourne, Crows and Saints. I think all the sides other than Port (who are just stuffed) are in a rebuilding phase.

People were saying last year that the gold coast wouldnt win a game and they ended up with winning 3 and perhaps could of won another 1 or 2 aswell....I agree this will apply to GWS aswell, they'll bob up somewhere and knock someone over, their biggest chance will be against port at home IMO. Im giving them 2 wins for the year. In saying that has anyone even entertained the thought of them winning against us???? I dont think it will happen, but how disastrous, embarrassing and humiliating that would be to lose to them in the opening round.

[swansprincess]

I'll also be making the trip to sydney for the game and I've only ever been there once when I was a kid so I have no idea about anything. I have a couple of questions I need help with if anyone would be kind enough to help me out with?

First of all, what is the best and probably cheapest way for 3 people to get from the airport to anz stadium?
And also the best way to get back to the airport afterwards? And in regards to that, are trains in sydney safe to travel on late on a saturday night?

I would be so grateful if anyone could help me out with these!

[R-1]

Get a train into the city then to ANZ and back. There's a hefty surcharge on the airport train station but you'll cop that from cabs as well.

Trains are plenty safe.

[wolftone57]

Yes I believe we should always be wary of a minnow. Never be too overconfident, I don't think the boys will be I hope they will just be motivated. We don't always get off to a good start to the season it would be nice to get a good win under our belt.

[swansprincess]

Thank you so much!

[Primmy]

If you get your tickets in advance they will include the cost of transport from city to ANZ. Not however from the airport, but that train takes you to Central, so disembark there and go to ticket office. Just ask, or follow the red and whiters, and you will be directed to the correct train station out to the ANZ stadium, or Olympic Park precinct (same thing). No worries about riding with Sydney Swans supporters there and back. Wear a bit of Swans clobber and you will be easily identified.

[wolftone57]

Do you realise we haven't won a round one since 2005. We drew last year against Melbourne but that is the closest we have come since 2005. About time to win round one

[Cheer Squad]

Do you realise we haven't won a round one since 2005. We drew last year against Melbourne but that is the closest we have come since 2005. About time to win round one

I don't think it counts this year. :smile:

[Cheer Squad]

A little help needed folks. I'm coming to Sydney for the GWS game but I've never been to ANZ before.

I've had the e-mail about tickets from the club, is it worth just ignoring th cost and going for the Platinum tickets. Will they be the best seats?

Thanks in advance

The views from Level 4 are excellent if you can get seats there. Try bays 407 or 408 on the eastern wing (the western wing is the members section).

[wolftone57]

I don't think it counts this year. :smile:

Probably not but I hate to be complacent.

[jono2707]

Probably not but I hate to be complacent.

I'm feeling very complacent at the moment - after all it's still 6 weeks away from the season's start....

[Wardy]

I'll also be making the trip to sydney for the game and I've only ever been there once when I was a kid so I have no idea about anything. I have a couple of questions I need help with if anyone would be kind enough to help me out with?

First of all, what is the best and probably cheapest way for 3 people to get from the airport to anz stadium?
And also the best way to get back to the airport afterwards? And in regards to that, are trains in sydney safe to travel on late on a saturday night?

I would be so grateful if anyone could help me out with these!

I dont think you will be back at the airport in time to get the last plane even by train - Sydney has a curfew and all passenger flights stop at 11pm (or is it 10pm?) - so I would suggest that you get the train back to central and some cheap accomodation either around Central or if you are really desperate the Formula 1 at the airport and get the early flight out next morning.

[goswannie14]

I dont think you will be back at the airport in time to get the last plane even by train - Sydney has a curfew and all passenger flights stop at 11pm (or is it 10pm?) - so I would suggest that you get the train back to central and some cheap accomodation either around Central or if you are really desperate the Formula 1 at the airport and get the early flight out next morning.There is nothing wrong with the Formule 1 at Sydney Airport. I have stayed there and it is cleaner and quieter than many other hotels. The Queen bed rooms are comparable to most motels, they even have tiles on the floor and walls instead of the fibreglass cabinet.

[Xie Shan]

Do you realise we haven't won a round one since 2005. We drew last year against Melbourne but that is the closest we have come since 2005. About time to win round one

And even in 2005 our Round 1 win was against the Hawks, who were still rubbish back then. Think it was Buddy Franklin's first game IIRC.

[Wardy]

There is nothing wrong with the Formule 1 at Sydney Airport. I have stayed there and it is cleaner and quieter than many other hotels. The Queen bed rooms are comparable to most motels, they even have tiles on the floor and walls instead of the fibreglass cabinet.

Sorry GS14 - its jsut not my kind of place, stayed in one once and vowed never to again & yes I'm a motel/hotel snob - but having stayed in some really crap places in my time here and overseas, I am now at an age where I love my creature comforts its a failing I know - sorry but its true!!!

[wolftone57]

Sorry GS14 - its jsut not my kind of place, stayed in one once and vowed never to again & yes I'm a motel/hotel snob - but having stayed in some really crap places in my time here and overseas, I am now at an age where I love my creature comforts its a failing I know - sorry but its true!!!

I know hoe you feel after my last trip to Thailand I refuse to stay at another 3 Star Hotel in Asia. % Star for me from now on. In Aus 3 Star are OK as are some of the Formula 1's if they are the best of them but not the bunk bed F1's thank you.

[desredandwhite]

A little help needed folks. I'm coming to Sydney for the GWS game but I've never been to ANZ before.

I've had the e-mail about tickets from the club, is it worth just ignoring th cost and going for the Platinum tickets. Will they be the best seats?

Thanks in advance

Platinum would be the best seats. I think they are on the wings and on level 4. Level 4 is brilliant. You get an elevated view, but you are not too high and still pretty close. If you're travelling for the game, I'd pay a bit more for the good seats.

As I have a stack of bills and a whole platinum family membership to pay for, I have opted to grab GA tickets for this game. Hopefully will be able to sit amongst like-minded folk and show 'em who's boss. I'd be astounded if they bothered opening level 6 for this game. Presales would have to be AMAZING for that to happen.

[CJK]

i'd prefer it if no Swans fans went so we could all laugh at the 4K crowd

[jono2707]

i'd prefer it if no Swans fans went so we could all laugh at the 4K crowd

There'll be plenty of opportunities for a laugh at their crowds throughout the year - I hope 95% of Homebush is red and white for game 1....

[Cant turn right]

There'll be plenty of opportunities for a laugh at their crowds throughout the year - I hope 95% of Homebush is red and white for game 1....
+1

[Cheer Squad]

i'd prefer it if no Swans fans went so we could all laugh at the 4K crowd

They're up to 5,193 members at the moment. Be interesting to see how many they get by the time Round 1 rolls around, and if they all show up.

Speaking of members, we currently have 19,317. Does that include our Melbourne members?

[erica]

They're up to 5,193 members at the moment. Be interesting to see how many they get by the time Round 1 rolls around, and if they all show up.

Speaking of members, we currently have 19,317. Does that include our Melbourne members?

Probably, as well as our pet members, too. :smile:

[Bas]

I'll be wearing my Swans and GWS gear.

Even got a call from Sheeds today with their new Club song. It's interesting.

GWS has 25% of our membership (figuratively and literally). That's not good stats. I would have thought that a 19,000 membership wasn't that great compared to previous years.

[CJK]

I'll be wearing my Swans and GWS gear.

wut?

[Cheer Squad]

I'll be wearing my Swans and GWS gear.

Even got a call from Sheeds today with their new Club song. It's interesting.

GWS has 25% of our membership (figuratively and literally). That's not good stats. I would have thought that a 19,000 membership wasn't that great compared to previous years.

For the sake of consistency, you should wear your GWS gear to Round 1, and your Swans gear to Round 14.

As for expressing concern over how many GWS members there are compared to us, that is just bizarre. You're one of the reasons for it.

[AnnieH]

I'm trying to score free tickets from work (they are members of Stadium Australia).
Saves me putting money into the coffers of the bogans.

[707]

and we'll finally get a look at GWS on Sunday.

Looks like the other teams in their group of three have only got 12-13 bext XXII players and giving a lot of fringe players and kids a run so GWS won't have to front up to a full strength side this week.

I'll be glued to the TV from late this aternoon, glad it's finally getting underway.

[wolftone57]

Once again the AFL in it's wisdom decides to make it hard for people to view their game. I thought they were trying to promote the game not hide it away on Foxtel. Soccer doesn't get crowds to the game, they are promoted in newspapers and on SBS but no games live except Foxtel and they are going to die again mark my words. The AFL should be trying to promote the game here and in Brisvegas not hide it. I have philosophical problems with paying for television because I still remember TV Licenses. Secondly I am philosophically opposed to Murdoch so I will never put money in his pockets!
Good luck to those who have Pay TV have a good time watching but I don't suppose there will even be a Pub near me with the damn games on. Blast You AFL!

[goswannie14]

Once again the AFL in it's wisdom decides to make it hard for people to view their game. I thought they were trying to promote the game not hide it away on Foxtel. Soccer doesn't get crowds to the game, they are promoted in newspapers and on SBS but no games live except Foxtel and they are going to die again mark my words. The AFL should be trying to promote the game here and in Brisvegas not hide it. I have philosophical problems with paying for television because I still remember TV Licenses. Secondly I am philosophically opposed to Murdoch so I will never put money in his pockets!
Good luck to those who have Pay TV have a good time watching but I don't suppose there will even be a Pub near me with the damn games on. Blast You AFL!Hear, hear.

[erica]

Follow the money....

[CJK]

I think the Bankers Cup is something we can survive without.

Hey, apparently it's even started. So there you go, who cares.

[Cheer Squad]

Judging by their performance in the NAB Cup tonight, the Giants might not be the pushovers everyone is expecting.

It seems they have a very good midfield. At the first bounce of the second half against Collingwood, I noticed one of their midfield got the ball away from a veritable sea of black and white.

I wish we had someone who could do that against Collingwood.

[jono2707]

Go jam it GWS and your money grubbing AFL cronies - I am over you lot already

[goswannie14]

Go jam it GWS and your money grubbing AFL cronies - I am over you lot alreadyI don't know what the problem is, they are only another club, just like all of the others.

[desredandwhite]

Judging by their performance in the NAB Cup tonight, the Giants might not be the pushovers everyone is expecting.


They put in a very good effort, and with a bit of luck could have snatched either game.

However, the dogs and pies were VERY underdone, and were missing a lot of their senior players. GWS on the other hand were missing only Setanta and Patton? The early stages of the NAB cup were always going to be their best bet at scoring wins this season, once the real stuff begins and other clubs start playing full strength teams, they will find the going a lot tougher. Having said that, I still think they're a chance against the likes of Port or Gold Coast.

[desredandwhite]

I don't know what the problem is, they are only another club, just like all of the others.

My attitude going in is that they haven't earnt my hatred yet. They are simply an amusing distraction while we go about our business. Give them a couple of years to have achieved SOMETHING and they might be worthy of our attention.

[Cheer Squad]

They put in a very good effort, and with a bit of luck could have snatched either game.

However, the dogs and pies were VERY underdone, and were missing a lot of their senior players. GWS on the other hand were missing only Setanta and Patton? The early stages of the NAB cup were always going to be their best bet at scoring wins this season, once the real stuff begins and other clubs start playing full strength teams, they will find the going a lot tougher. Having said that, I still think they're a chance against the likes of Port or Gold Coast.

According to match reports, GWS only had one player with AFL experience against Collingwood, and I think that was the ex-Crows guy. The rest were kids.

Whoever was on the park, I doubt Collingwood was expecting the game to be that close. Swan didn't sound too happy when he was being interviewed post-match.

[R-1]

Yeah the GWS team was not their best side, even if Collingwood was missing half their best 22. The point to be taken here is that GWS are at least on par with Gold Coast, and will be intermittently competitive this year. Will not go winless.

They may even be slightly ahead of Gold Coast - they have more up forward and is it just me or did they seem to have some bigger bodies than the Suns did?

[wolftone57]

Yeah the GWS team was not their best side, even if Collingwood was missing half their best 22. The point to be taken here is that GWS are at least on par with Gold Coast, and will be intermittently competitive this year. Will not go winless.

They may even be slightly ahead of Gold Coast - they have more up forward and is it just me or did they seem to have some bigger bodies than the Suns did?

I made the point some time ago that they are tall and mobile. I have been saying for a while don't take them for granted. They only played a few AFL players last night and both Pies and Doggies had more players with AFL experience. I think they were very competitive. I think they will scrap for every ball and they will win a few.

[Jewels]

According to match reports, GWS only had one player with AFL experience against Collingwood, and I think that was the ex-Crows guy. The rest were kids.

Whoever was on the park, I doubt Collingwood was expecting the game to be that close. Swan didn't sound too happy when he was being interviewed post-match.

Swan sounded half drunk and completely disinterested in the post game interview!
I don't think Bucks will be losing to much sleep over what he saw last night.

[Primmy]

I refer to post number 1.

PS: Swan always sounds half drunk.

[goswannie14]

I refer to post number 1.

PS: Swan always sounds half drunk.And he is usually disinterested in interviews.

[Swansongster]

Once again the AFL in it's wisdom decides to make it hard for people to view their game. I thought they were trying to promote the game not hide it away on Foxtel. Soccer doesn't get crowds to the game, they are promoted in newspapers and on SBS but no games live except Foxtel and they are going to die again mark my words. The AFL should be trying to promote the game here and in Brisvegas not hide it. I have philosophical problems with paying for television because I still remember TV Licenses. Secondly I am philosophically opposed to Murdoch so I will never put money in his pockets!
Good luck to those who have Pay TV have a good time watching but I don't suppose there will even be a Pub near me with the damn games on. Blast You AFL!

I used to resent paying for TV too but soon realised that I was spending way more money at the pub watching sport of interest than any monthly fee for the service. Signed up many years ago. No regrets. There's great value for fans of multiple sports.

[Old Royboy]

What I like about this game is that I could rock up at Ticketek at 11.30 yesterday morning and come away with two seats in Bay 408 Row 1. Not quite Wardy's silver service in the members, but the RAS reciprical arrangement appears to have crashed this year.

[Cheer Squad]

What I like about this game is that I could rock up at Ticketek at 11.30 yesterday morning and come away with two seats in Bay 408 Row 1. Not quite Wardy's silver service in the members, but the RAS reciprical arrangement appears to have crashed this year.

Well done - Bays 407 & 408 are probably the best viewing areas in the whole stadium.

707, have you bought your tickets yet?

[wolftone57]

I used to resent paying for TV too but soon realised that I was spending way more money at the pub watching sport of interest than any monthly fee for the service. Signed up many years ago. No regrets. There's great value for fans of multiple sports.

I'm sorry but I refuse to put money into that person's pocket. I think he is a blight on humanity.

[Wardy]

What I like about this game is that I could rock up at Ticketek at 11.30 yesterday morning and come away with two seats in Bay 408 Row 1. Not quite Wardy's silver service in the members, but the RAS reciprical arrangement appears to have crashed this year.

Sadly I cant attend the game anyway - I have to attend a wedding!!!! I questioned the bride and asked whether she was sure of her dates - the look I received in return wasnt a good one!!! so I will be texted the scores during the course of the evening.

[Primmy]

Obviously she didn't ask when the season started! I mean she could have moved her wedding to the following weekend! Some people......

[Jewels]

Obviously she didn't ask when the season started! I mean she could have moved her wedding to the following weekend! Some people......

Perhaps the bride made her plans (like myself) assuming the season would start when it was supposed to start, before some genius at AFL HQ decided to stuff us around by making our game a stand alone thereby leaving some dedicated fans unable to attend!
I haven't missed a game the Swans have played in NSW for ten years till this - still mightily peed off!!!!!

[Primmy]

You going to a wedding too Jewels?

[Wardy]

Perhaps the bride made her plans (like myself) assuming the season would start when it was supposed to start, before some genius at AFL HQ decided to stuff us around by making our game a stand alone thereby leaving some dedicated fans unable to attend!
I haven't missed a game the Swans have played in NSW for ten years till this - still mightily peed off!!!!!

Well I thought that it was going to be the following weekend - sadly no - oh well it should be nice, so am off to Peters of Kensington again to buy a present (this is the child of friends of mine - I have never done registry before and I know that they have a taste for the finer things!!!) my 57th wedding, still not my own.

[Bas]

For the sake of consistency, you should wear your GWS gear to Round 1, and your Swans gear to Round 14.

As for expressing concern over how many GWS members there are compared to us, that is just bizarre. You're one of the reasons for it.

Consistency for whom?

No concern, just a fact. Nothing bizarre at all. Swans have been here since 1992 and have just under 20,000 and GWS have yet to play a game and have 5,000. It should be a concern for the Swans.

I'm glad to have memberships to both Clubs. Will continue to do so and don't care what anyone else thinks.

I love watching Aussie Rules and 19 games in Sydney is perfect. Well 22 would be better.

[Bas]

my 57th wedding, still not my own.

Perhaps a mail (male) order husband who has enough brains to open a bottle of wine. There is internet dating and you can play "stalker lotto". That fills in a bit of time between games. Do you remember when I told you about my first internet date? The 10 year old photo's

It's said that marriage is an institution................do you really want to get institutionalised?

I'll give you some Brewongle tips on saving money by not dating. Gives you plenty of money to get Fox Footy Channel. :smile:

[Jewels]

You going to a wedding too Jewels?

No Prims, I will be on a cruise that was meticulously planned to fit in with the football season, or so I thought!

I just damn well hope they televise it on the boat.

[wolftone57]

The girl who has the wedding probably doesn't follow footy if she followed it she would know you never have a wedding in the footy season. Always in the Cricket season as that is easier to catch up on.

[dimelb]

"And the tides of life will be the tides of the home-team's fortunes
- the reckless proposal after the one-point win,
the wedding and honeymoon after the grand-final ..." [from Bruce Dawe, life-cycle]