GWS and it's impact on your club - Please Answer

**Pekay** · 23 May 2016, 01:44 PM

Originally posted by tara

Also are the Blacktown City Suns the new version of your old junior club as the appeared to have a quakers hill bombers logo on the back?

A merger of Rooty Hill and Quakers Hill. You'd think there'd be more than enough people in that area to sustain a club each wouldn't you?

**mcs** · 23 May 2016, 02:10 PM

Originally posted by KTigers

We went to the GWS game yesterday and it definitely looked like there were more people than the week before against Gold Coast. And there were, according to the crowd announcement (9,800 vs 8,300)
My feeling from watching them for a few years now is that there are about 8,000 that will turn up regardless, and the rest of the crowd
are supporters of the other team. When you consider Canterbury were playing at ANZ and pulled 17,000, then maybe almost 10,000 is not so bad. GWS crowds now are similar to the numbers the Swans used to get through the early 90s. Was that a calamity? No, not really. GWS are a better team now than the Swans circa 1992, but judging them a failure because they don't get as many people to their home games as the Melbourne teams do is forgetting the fact that there are three other codes being played in Sydney.

They have their rusted on core fan group, but given how good they are playing, its a bit disappointing crowd figure wise in my book. Attracting that casual fan is difficult though, and will only happen regularly when they have sustained success (i.e. premierships).

**KTigers** · 23 May 2016, 03:22 PM

Recently, GWS did a survey that showed for 36% of their members, the Giants weren't their first team.
So that comes to about 4,500 people. A bunch of these people will live in Canberra, so they'll go to those games,
but not the ones at Spotless. The bulk of the rest will live in Sydney and my guess is probably only about half of
them show up each game (because, well, GWS aren't their first team). The GWS boss saw this as people supporting
AFL in Sydney ie a positive. He has a point I think.

**cos789** · 23 May 2016, 06:18 PM

Originally posted by mcs

They have their rusted on core fan group, but given how good they are playing, its a bit disappointing crowd figure wise in my book. Attracting that casual fan is difficult though, and will only happen regularly when they have sustained success (i.e. premierships).

I have to agree. If I was an Australian Football fan I'd be going to Spotless to witness some good football.
it's supposed to be a good stadium experience and transport is straight forward.
We're not talking bandwagon here but rather "theatre-goers".

**Hamstrings77** · 23 May 2016, 08:00 PM

Originally posted by cos789

I have to agree. If I was an Australian Football fan I'd be going to Spotless to witness some good football.
it's supposed to be a good stadium experience and transport is straight forward.
We're not talking bandwagon here but rather "theatre-goers".

Id have to say getting to spotless from the city is a nightmare.....Headed there from the city the other week (against the hawks) we used a bus and 3 trains to get to the ground ( train to central, central to lidcombe, lidcombe to Spotless). The ground has only one entrance ( from what we could see) there was a line a mile long that half the crowd was using , the other half just joined the line at the gates. Got in the ground and could find every meal under the sun except for a pie... it was a cluster. we then had to do the reverse to get home...Never again

**Pekay** · 23 May 2016, 09:28 PM

That must've been a dreadful experience.

Sent from my SM-G925I using Tapatalk

**cos789** · 24 May 2016, 12:32 AM

Originally posted by Hamstrings77

Id have to say getting to spotless from the city is a nightmare.....Headed there from the city the other week (against the hawks) we used a bus and 3 trains to get to the ground ( train to central, central to lidcombe, lidcombe to Spotless). The ground has only one entrance ( from what we could see) there was a line a mile long that half the crowd was using , the other half just joined the line at the gates. Got in the ground and could find every meal under the sun except for a pie... it was a cluster. we then had to do the reverse to get home...Never again

Getting to Homebush has always been easier than getting to the SCG.
I've always marveled how easy it is to get to Homebush considering the layout of Sydney.
Never had a problem getting home either and that was with much much bigger crowds.
Ever tried getting on a bus after a game at the SCG FFS?
Are you saying the SCG food service is good by comparison?

**saviour01** · 24 May 2016, 07:21 AM

I live 13km away from anz stadium. For me its a train to central. A train to lidcombe. A train to homebush. Same return. At least every train goes to central. If you are anywhere south in sydney you have to go into central/redfern and back out.

**cos789** · 24 May 2016, 10:53 AM

Originally posted by saviour01

I live 13km away from anz stadium. For me its a train to central. A train to lidcombe. A train to homebush. Same return. At least every train goes to central. If you are anywhere south in sydney you have to go into central/redfern and back out.

Yes, it's three trains to homebush. I take three to homebush. it seems most people take three trains to Homebush.
I don't have a problem with taking three trains to Homebush. It's a pretty seamless experience. You sit on the train and enjoy the travel. I find the travel to Homebush much more relaxed than going to the SCG. By the same token most people have to go Central and then by bus to the SCG. By contrast I don't like buses much at all. Getting out of the SCG is a nightmare regardless of how you arrived.
If people say they're not going to support the Giants in any way, that's perfectly understandable, but these excuses are pretty lame(something you'd expect from rugby league fans). i repeat, why wouldn't you go and watch a good game of football occasionally (when you've got the time and patience to take three trains that is)

**skaterboi1973** · 25 May 2016, 09:03 AM

Tend to disagree about getting the to the SCG.. and I have done it over the years from 1982. In the early days, my parents use to drive to the ground and park nearby, there are loads of parking if your willing to walk a little bit (better than sitting in the car park).

I have also done the train, and walked up from central, fair few do that and stop off for a beer on the way, quite social. Afterwards you have the luxury of the entertainment quarter for a drink and food or the city.

As for Spotless Stadium, have yet to do that, but when the Swans use to play out at Sydney Olympic park it just didn't have the same atmosphere and less options afterwards.

However, these days don't get to see any matches, volunteering for a local AFL team takes up too much time and I'm lucky enough that my wife (who had no knowledge of the game before me) gives up her time to work in the canteen.

**cos789** · 25 May 2016, 10:29 AM

Originally posted by skaterboi1973

Tend to disagree about getting the to the SCG.. and I have done it over the years from 1982. In the early days, my parents use to drive to the ground and park nearby, there are loads of parking if your willing to walk a little bit (better than sitting in the car park).

I have also done the train, and walked up from central, fair few do that and stop off for a beer on the way, quite social. Afterwards you have the luxury of the entertainment quarter for a drink and food or the city.

As for Spotless Stadium, have yet to do that, but when the Swans use to play out at Sydney Olympic park it just didn't have the same atmosphere and less options afterwards.

However, these days don't get to see any matches, volunteering for a local AFL team takes up too much time and I'm lucky enough that my wife (who had no knowledge of the game before me) gives up her time to work in the canteen.

I totally agree with your post. You are like me and walk to the SCG or are prepared to get there early but the person who complains about getting to Homebush isn't going to like the former two options. As for ANZ stadium totally agree. Originally people were excited about playing at a large capacity stadium then the reality sunk in that it has many flaws. but again we're talking about Spotless and by all acounts (bar one) it's a great little boutique stadium. As for lack of after-game options, that is true for Homebush but getting out of the SCG by bus is a nightmare.

If you are otherwise occupied, good for you, but the person who complains about getting to Homebush isn't like to have the energy to involve themselves in grassroots football, just enough energy to whinge.

**Hamstrings77** · 25 May 2016, 10:56 AM

Originally posted by cos789

I totally agree with your post. You are like me and walk to the SCG or are prepared to get there early but the person who complains about getting to Homebush isn't going to like the former two options. As for ANZ stadium totally agree. Originally people were excited about playing at a large capacity stadium then the reality sunk in that it has many flaws. but again we're talking about Spotless and by all acounts (bar one) it's a great little boutique stadium. As for lack of after-game options, that is true for Homebush but getting out of the SCG by bus is a nightmare.

If you are otherwise occupied, good for you, but the person who complains about getting to Homebush isn't like to have the energy to involve themselves in grassroots football, just enough energy to whinge.

No one is whinging cos789 ...Just simply trying to explain what influences crowds that are particularly low for an AFL club that is based in an area that hasn't traditionally supported the game. Homebush is a major sporting hub, it shouldn't be difficult to get to. Its a hurdle the Giants face.

Comments made from ppl who were involved in the public transport relay that I was involved in were that they felt like rats in some kind of experiment when we were met with barriers and traffic cones on the return relay at lidcome. People were over it. Im glad you enjoy your train trips but the thought of adding another 6 trains to the week to get to a footy match isn't something I find enjoyable.

I think its safe to say that most people who provide comments on this site are well and truely involved in grassroots footy.

**cos789** · 25 May 2016, 12:03 PM

Originally posted by Hamstrings77

Im glad you enjoy your train trips but the thought of adding another 6 trains to the week to get to a footy match isn't something I find enjoyable.

I can see that someone who is "forced" to take trains to work daily doesn't find additional train trips appealing.
But let's get real here, it's a train trip there and a train trip back with connections.
You might enjoy the opportunity to drive to the SCG for a change. I cannot think of anything less appealing than driving in a city.

All I'm saying is a person might take the occassional trip out Spotless to witness some good football.
I'm assuming you good folk are able to make the trip to the SCG fortnighly, so the odd extra trip isn't anything big is it.
And really, football fans are faced with the same problems everywhere. In Perth it's a lousy bus service and THEN two trains to Subiaco.
At Subiaco, you realise that ANZ is a damn good stadium in comparison. And service at Subiaco - forget it, there is none.

Don't go, but don't whinge - you sound like a rl apologist.

**Hamstrings77** · 25 May 2016, 03:41 PM

Originally posted by cos789

I can see that someone who is "forced" to take trains to work daily doesn't find additional train trips appealing.
But let's get real here, it's a train trip there and a train trip back with connections.
You might enjoy the opportunity to drive to the SCG for a change. I cannot think of anything less appealing than driving in a city.

All I'm saying is a person might take the occassional trip out Spotless to witness some good football.
I'm assuming you good folk are able to make the trip to the SCG fortnighly, so the odd extra trip isn't anything big is it.
And really, football fans are faced with the same problems everywhere. In Perth it's a lousy bus service and THEN two trains to Subiaco.
At Subiaco, you realise that ANZ is a damn good stadium in comparison. And service at Subiaco - forget it, there is none.

Don't go, but don't whinge - you sound like a rl apologist.

you work for either ANZ stadium or state rail ...

im not sure what an rl apologist is but i can guess from the tone of your email it probably isn't a good thing.

**saviour01** · 25 May 2016, 04:31 PM

GWS are really doing a great job in the west they have taken all the best 16.17 y olds (10-15)from the academy and are making them with Kellyville. They have enough players now for 2 full teams and both are called east coast eagles? Thought it would have been a good opportunity to be called Giants? Great initiative pitty about all the other junior clubs in the West.