Rnd 3 Match Day Thread Swans V GWS at the SCG 4.35pm.

[aguy]

Just watched it again did anyone else see this disrespectful sign (Sydney created not Relocated) in the gws section after Stevie J kicked the goal in the fourth.. For a team that has done jack all in the comp or for football in NSW they are incredibly arrogant
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Whilst I understand why you may say the sign is arrogant I think it's nothing more than a young team finding ways to be proud about themselves. In some ways if we get uptight about such signs it's not that much different to Melbourne getting antsy about non Victorian clubs doing well. In other words it could be seen as a case of the "established" bemoaning any pride or club advancement of the "non established" clubs.

I realise you're a proud Sydney swans fan and rightly so I'm just not sure that I share the same opinion about their sign. I don't feel like the swans should be to gws what Victoria has for so long to the swans. We should embrace and encourage our cross town rivals as they are good for footy in this state.

With the terrific news that we have passed out 50000 membership milestone stone today many have reflected on the last few years. Someone pointed out that in 2012 when we last won the premiership we had 30000 members. In the 4 years after that we have now 50000. I'm sure most of us are thinking the swans have done really well to get to this. Buddy has definitely attracted more members. I think so too but part of me also thinks that GWS may in fact be part of the reason as well. I suspect that the presence of GWS in the Sydney market has lifted the overall presence of AFL in the mindset of Sydneysiders and probably helped galvanise the support of once casual swans fans to more dedicated swans fans and then membership. That's a terrific effect of having GWS here. I know that in my workplace there is much more discussion about he swans than ever used to be the case and not the same snide remarks about AFL footy from the rugby league crowd that used to be.

I think footy in this state is going in a terrific direction. I notice record junior numbers too at our local club. I think GWS has had a very important role in this development and I expect it to continue.

But I did love seeing us run away with the win in he lay quarter

[liz]

I just smile at things like that. If it makes the Giants feel good about themselves, so be it.

We can counter with "two cities, one club", to show that the Swans are very proud of their South Melbourne heritage, and still boast a substantial supporter base in Melbourne that isn't dying out as the generations move on. I see plenty of young kids in Swans gear at games in Melbourne. Long may it continue, and it in no way diminishes the central role the Swans hold in Sydney and NSW sporting culture.

[CureTheSane]

Little hings like this can help create rivalries.

Take Kevin Sheedy waving his jacket against West Coast for instance - 10 years of rivalry, just for getting a bit too excited lol

[barry]

What is amazing is that in 2012 the AFL had 30,000 members in sydney. Now 4 years later it has 65,000 (swans and giants )

[aguy]

What is amazing is that in 2012 the AFL had 30,000 members in sydney. Now 4 years later it has 65,000 (swans and giants )

Barry I agree with you ( that in itself is a rare occurrence )

GWS presence has definitely helped. The swans are stronger as a result