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Interstate rivalry set to intensify
By James MacSmith
September 14, 2003
The Sun-Herald
Swans chairman Richard Colless says the preliminary-final blockbuster on Saturday night could herald a new age in the intense sporting rivalry between NSW and Queensland.
Sydney and Brisbane are playing for a spot in the AFL grand final in a clash sure to reignite traditional sporting tension between the long-time foes.
Until now, games between the Swans and the Lions have not played a large role in the fierce interstate competition epitomised by rugby league's State of Origin series.
But Colless said that was likely to change because of the importance of the match.
"In the past there hasn't been any deep-seated animosity in games between Sydney and Brisbane," he said. "And I think that is because we have been through similarly difficult times in the last 15 years.
"But maybe given what is at stake, how much the players will want to win, and the national television exposure, this might be the start of a serious rivalry which would be terrific for both teams and something the AFL would like to see.
"But you can't manufacture these things - they have to happen naturally and that might happen on Saturday night."
Colless said ticket sales of more than 60,000 had already exceeded his expectations.
No matter what the final crowd figure is, it will smash the previous record between the two sides of 33,606 set at the Gabba in round 22, 2001.
"It's fantastic that we get these crowds, but our aim is to continue to draw them in the future."
We're very happy that the fans have embraced Telstra Stadium as a venue. The reason we went out there in the first place is because we wanted to continue to build on our crowd figures.
"It's great for the Swans and the AFL to have these crowds. But we need to have them on an ongoing basis, and if we can that will be the measure of how successful the AFL push into Sydney is."
By James MacSmith
September 14, 2003
The Sun-Herald
Swans chairman Richard Colless says the preliminary-final blockbuster on Saturday night could herald a new age in the intense sporting rivalry between NSW and Queensland.
Sydney and Brisbane are playing for a spot in the AFL grand final in a clash sure to reignite traditional sporting tension between the long-time foes.
Until now, games between the Swans and the Lions have not played a large role in the fierce interstate competition epitomised by rugby league's State of Origin series.
But Colless said that was likely to change because of the importance of the match.
"In the past there hasn't been any deep-seated animosity in games between Sydney and Brisbane," he said. "And I think that is because we have been through similarly difficult times in the last 15 years.
"But maybe given what is at stake, how much the players will want to win, and the national television exposure, this might be the start of a serious rivalry which would be terrific for both teams and something the AFL would like to see.
"But you can't manufacture these things - they have to happen naturally and that might happen on Saturday night."
Colless said ticket sales of more than 60,000 had already exceeded his expectations.
No matter what the final crowd figure is, it will smash the previous record between the two sides of 33,606 set at the Gabba in round 22, 2001.
"It's fantastic that we get these crowds, but our aim is to continue to draw them in the future."
We're very happy that the fans have embraced Telstra Stadium as a venue. The reason we went out there in the first place is because we wanted to continue to build on our crowd figures.
"It's great for the Swans and the AFL to have these crowds. But we need to have them on an ongoing basis, and if we can that will be the measure of how successful the AFL push into Sydney is."
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