Team GWS

[Wardy]

I would have no issue with a second team in Sydney if the Swans were a financial powerhouse and have more members than they can accomodate. Sadly none of those things are true so it is my opinion that it's too early for a second team.

You are right - but it seems that its going to happen regardless.

However, the Swans have had 2 years to get used to the idea and have really done nothing but whinge about it, which, with the benefit of hindsight, that wasnt a smart move.

To get the upper hand - which is what we really need, they need to get out there and advertise big time now to get more people on board - basically be pro-active.

I know its a simplistic view but I can't see the situation changing - GWS are coming, and I doubt the AFL will change their plans.

[ugg]

Sheedy to coach GWS!

Sheedy swoops on Sydney | Herald Sun

I think it's a great move, reminiscent of the appointment of Barassi as Swans coach. He will bring a great profile to the club and the code, no doubt will talk up the rivalry with the Swans

[ScottH]

Sheedy to coach GWS!

Sheedy swoops on Sydney | Herald Sun

I think it's a great move, reminiscent of the appointment of Barassi as Swans coach. He will bring a great profile to the club and the code, no doubt will talk up the rivalry with the Swans

You might have to change the person in your avatar, Ugg.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[Wardy]

Well its a good move on the GWS part - hardly a surprise really considering all the ground work he has done up here in promoting the cause. Oh well - we just have to wait and see what transpires - you never know - if rugby league has another bad year - and the Waratahs in the Union flop again - then people might change their minds and give following AFL a try. Boths the Swans and GWS could benefit.

[Cheer Squad]

Sheedy to coach GWS!

Sheedy swoops on Sydney | Herald Sun

I think it's a great move, reminiscent of the appointment of Barassi as Swans coach. He will bring a great profile to the club and the code, no doubt will talk up the rivalry with the Swans

Another piece of the puzzle falls into place. It's a good move, simply because Sheedy's high profile will help attract attention to Team GWS. They'll need it.

Having said that, I think Greg Baum hit the nail on the head in today's press when he suggests even winning on the field might not be enough for Team GWS.

[Bas]

Real Footy

"It's a pretty ordinary game and we have a much better product" - Osbourne.

There are some very arrogant comments made in this article by various people. The perfect attitude for the AFL to succeed.

[shinerunner]

I think the key to the whole thing is how appealing the new brand is going to be.

kevin sheedy is a brand in him self kevin is the ultimate brand man look at the brand he created for essendon over the years. in his latest book released this time last year 08 , he mentions brand many times.
team GWS have mada a good descion in singing kev. i think thats the brand problem solved !!

[shinerunner]

[QUOTE=floppinab;463985]The thing that comes to mind wrt Team GWS and the media they've got over the last few days is just how much they've got to put together in just 2 short years.

I understand they are still a long way from pulling together a list for the TAC Cup next year. Not to mention having the club structure in place to run a team that will travel into VIC every second week next year.

......correct they have a @@@@ load of work to do in 2 years!!!
as for the TAC cup side things should pull together pretty quickly there. They would have already identified the talented player's and have been watching them for many years now, Through the Scholarship program and through the nsw/act Rams side that stems from teams such as the Stars Pigoens and Pironeers northern heat teams and ect.
i can tell you for FACT that they have already contacted a number of talented young player about the 2010 TAC cup side. and there pre season wont be far from getting under way.

[ugg]

AFL on a hiding to nothing | Daily Telegraph NRL Experts Blog

Very interesting reading.

[AnnieH]

I noticed a logo in the background when they were interviewing the media-whore Sheeds ... are they going to be called the Western Sydney Rams? Have I missed something? I thought they were officially the Blacktown Bogans?

[Mug Punter]

AFL on a hiding to nothing | Daily Telegraph NRL Experts Blog

Very interesting reading.

Obviously a very biased forum but a lot of those comments are very valid.

$200M, jeez that's a lot of moola on a hunch.

One thing I think the AFL really under-estimates is just how resilient rugby league is. Sheeds being appointed is a gimmick pure and simple, watching him milk the media for his own ego yesterday was just embarrassing...

[Cheer Squad]

kevin sheedy is a brand in him self kevin is the ultimate brand man look at the brand he created for essendon over the years. in his latest book released this time last year 08 , he mentions brand many times.
team GWS have mada a good descion in singing kev. i think thats the brand problem solved !!

I think they've solved their salesman problem...we need to see details of the actual product before we can make a call on the brand...

[Cheer Squad]

AFL on a hiding to nothing | Daily Telegraph NRL Experts Blog

Very interesting reading.

Did you notice where Dean Ritchie says ..."suddenly the AFL might have two rubbish teams in Sydney"...what a cheap shot at us!

[Glenn]

Real Footy

"It's a pretty ordinary game and we have a much better product" - Osbourne.

There are some very arrogant comments made in this article by various people. The perfect attitude for the AFL to succeed.

Some arrogant comments on both side of the divide, wouldn't surprise me to see Sheedy as a figurehead of GWS and the tactical side handled by someone else.

[Mug Punter]

Did you notice where Dean Ritchie says ..."suddenly the AFL might have two rubbish teams in Sydney"...what a cheap shot at us!

Unfortunately I believe he is right as the Bogans could well see the Swans suffering on all fronts but especially commercially. We are coming off the most successful spell on the field in our history, probably with our greatest ever coach but everyone assumes we will continue to be at the same level. We are due for a fall anyway and the Bogans coming on the scene will compound these issues.

Whilst the Melbourne clubs will have to accept one Sydney team on life-support for it's whole lifetime will they accept two?, especially when the AFL is quite happy to sacrifice Melbourne teams as part of it's business model.

Even with the entire Sydney market to itself, the Swans' history here is one of huge struggle and endurance in an incredibly fickle marketplace. This all seems to have been conveniently forgotten.

It all gets back to one key question - can Sydney sustain two AFL teams? I say no!