First game of the season - Swans v GWS

[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.

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.

[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.

[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.