First game of the season - Swans v GWS

[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). 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.