GWS: A Complete AFL Disasterclass

[PP34]

97 registered: The damning truth behind the AFL's western Sydney failure

The joke's on us all who have been fed the expansion fable.

www.sen.com.au

Nobody goes to their games. They don’t produce kids from an academy. Kids aren’t playing footy in Western Sydney.

When is the AFL going to admit GWS as a football club is a complete and utter failure and should be moved or removed from the AFL altogether?

The whole thing was typical AFL arrogance from day one.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

Forewarning. You're about to have a Swans poster not too happy about this article.

 

[Colonial]

1 problem at the Giants.

The untouchable Mr Matthews 15 year free reign.

Club should be called Western Sydney and be based fulltime, not Canberra.

He loves his aussie sports marketing rubbish of calling clubs "The" that way you are for everyone.

Plenty of people in Western Sydney to support a club. But if they arent fulltime and the boss is embarrassed to call them Western Sydney why should they jump on board. Have a few mates who stuck with their original team because they said the old "If the Giants arent all in on Western Sydney why should we?"

I am concerned the club will be moved fulltime to Canberra, I will still follow. But it wasn't because a club wouldn't work in WS or that we don't want a club. We never had one".

 

[Giant YoYo]

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/afl/afl-boss-andrew-dillon-on-major-league-baseball-inspiration-and-hunt-for-more-eyeballs-on-the-game/news-story/a1f2057cad569fb37108118a4637432f

On last year:

"that saw Western Sydney participation grow by 12 per cent to nearly 12,000 registered participants last season"

This will take some time to transfer to club registrations now that the post covid malaise has seemingly been shaken.

The NRL has planted a flag in Las Vegas. The AFL wants a big one in western Sydney

In contrast to Peter V’landys’ outspoken jibes at the rival code, CEO Andrew Dillon is quietly confident the AFL’s long-term investment in Western Sydney is beginning to pay off.

www.smh.com.au

"With 78,000 participants across NSW and the ACT last year – up 10 per cent year-on-year"

Pretty low base all around that could do with some bigger figures.

 

[Kram]

It's like when Krusty opened the burger joint on the unmanned oil rig?

 

[sherb]

They were given an enormous area to call their own, Greater Western Sydney. It was marketed as a GWS team to the good people of Western Sydney. I have one of the early brochures, circa 2010 I'm guessing, it was all GWS, GWS, GWS. Featured a picture of the Blacktown facility.

By the time they were up and running, they were playing several games a year in Canberra. Around a year or so later, they were sponsoring Manly in the local Sydney AFL competition, the most hated team in the west. (And with good reason might I add). I tried to post here how ridiculous that was but got howled down by sensitive GWS posters. I can tell you for a fact that the Manly players hated it too, just quietly...............

They walked away from Blacktown as a training base to a venue barely in the GWS area. They play all their Sydney AFLW games at Henson Park, which is inner west, not GWS. They don't hold functions in the GWS area, to the best of my knowledge they are all in the CBD.

The point is, after being gifted this area, instead of going at it 110% they've been half-arsed about it, sending terrible signals to the market they were supposed to be representing. If people aren't interested in reciprocating their support, you can hardly blame them.

I bought a foundation Giants membership with pride and joy, it's something I only maintain these days as a sign of support for the game overall here in Sydney. Otherwise I'm not interested.

As for local footy, I can only speak for here in the outer west. Now I don't pretend to be that knowledgeable about the ins and outs of local juniors but the fall off has been drastic. St Clair has folded, the once thriving Emu Plains/Glenmore Park is a shell of its former self, many teams out here are now joint venture, particularly in the older age groups.

A local association had been formed in 2000, and was growing nicely, featuring Emu Plains/GP, St Clair, Penrith, Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury and possibly one other. I don't know if it even exists any more - if it does, it is only at the very young age groups.

I know from a senior club point of view here in Penrith, we were very successful in the period 2010-2020, almost totally off the back of local juniors. The flow of juniors has now all but stopped, and we haven't been able to field an Under 19's side since 2019.

Now, I'm not blaming this on GWS, but their semi-interest in the west hasn't helped. Ultimately, if the game is going to thrive at a junior level out here to be fair, it's up to the AFL. Where I am critical of GWS however is when they post absolute rubbish like this on their Facebook page (from March last year), which is patently untrue when it comes to the junior (and senior) game out here. Ignorant idiots.

 

[Gavin Excell]

They were given an enormous area to call their own, Greater Western Sydney. It was marketed as a GWS team to the good people of Western Sydney. I have one of the early brochures, circa 2010 I'm guessing, it was all GWS, GWS, GWS. Featured a picture of the Blacktown facility.

By the time they were up and running, they were playing several games a year in Canberra. Around a year or so later, they were sponsoring Manly in the local Sydney AFL competition, the most hated team in the west. (And with good reason might I add). I tried to post here how ridiculous that was but got howled down by sensitive GWS posters. I can tell you for a fact that the Manly players hated it too, just quietly...............

They walked away from Blacktown as a training base to a venue barely in the GWS area. They play all their Sydney AFLW games at Henson Park, which is inner west, not GWS. They don't hold functions in the GWS area, to the best of my knowledge they are all in the CBD.

The point is, after being gifted this area, instead of going at it 110% they've been half-arsed about it, sending terrible signals to the market they were supposed to be representing. If people aren't interested in reciprocating their support, you can hardly blame them.

I bought a foundation Giants membership with pride and joy, it's something I only maintain these days as a sign of support for the game overall here in Sydney. Otherwise I'm not interested.

As for local footy, I can only speak for here in the outer west. Now I don't pretend to be that knowledgeable about the ins and outs of local juniors but the fall off has been drastic. St Clair has folded, the once thriving Emu Plains/Glenmore Park is a shell of its former self, many teams out here are now joint venture, particularly in the older age groups.

A local association had been formed in 2000, and was growing nicely, featuring Emu Plains/GP, St Clair, Penrith, Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury and possibly one other. I don't know if it even exists any more - if it does, it is only at the very young age groups.

I know from a senior club point of view here in Penrith, we were very successful in the period 2010-2020, almost totally off the back of local juniors. The flow of juniors has now all but stopped, and we haven't been able to field an Under 19's side since 2019.

Now, I'm not blaming this on GWS, but their semi-interest in the west hasn't helped. Ultimately, if the game is going to thrive at a junior level out here to be fair, it's up to the AFL. Where I am critical of GWS however is when they post absolute rubbish like this on their Facebook page (from March last year), which is patently untrue when it comes to the junior (and senior) game out here. Ignorant idiots.

Im not really across Sydney demographics but is there a touch of snobbishness/cultural cringe from administrators and players about the area?

 

[Teen Wolf]

Gerard Healy is a disaster. Didn't spend two seconds verifying any participation numbers from a reliable source, and it's clear he isn't even sure what the figure of 97 relates to.

 

[Colonial]

They were given an enormous area to call their own, Greater Western Sydney. It was marketed as a GWS team to the good people of Western Sydney. I have one of the early brochures, circa 2010 I'm guessing, it was all GWS, GWS, GWS. Featured a picture of the Blacktown facility.

By the time they were up and running, they were playing several games a year in Canberra. Around a year or so later, they were sponsoring Manly in the local Sydney AFL competition, the most hated team in the west. (And with good reason might I add). I tried to post here how ridiculous that was but got howled down by sensitive GWS posters. I can tell you for a fact that the Manly players hated it too, just quietly...............

They walked away from Blacktown as a training base to a venue barely in the GWS area. They play all their Sydney AFLW games at Henson Park, which is inner west, not GWS. They don't hold functions in the GWS area, to the best of my knowledge they are all in the CBD.

The point is, after being gifted this area, instead of going at it 110% they've been half-arsed about it, sending terrible signals to the market they were supposed to be representing. If people aren't interested in reciprocating their support, you can hardly blame them.

I bought a foundation Giants membership with pride and joy, it's something I only maintain these days as a sign of support for the game overall here in Sydney. Otherwise I'm not interested.

As for local footy, I can only speak for here in the outer west. Now I don't pretend to be that knowledgeable about the ins and outs of local juniors but the fall off has been drastic. St Clair has folded, the once thriving Emu Plains/Glenmore Park is a shell of its former self, many teams out here are now joint venture, particularly in the older age groups.

A local association had been formed in 2000, and was growing nicely, featuring Emu Plains/GP, St Clair, Penrith, Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury and possibly one other. I don't know if it even exists any more - if it does, it is only at the very young age groups.

I know from a senior club point of view here in Penrith, we were very successful in the period 2010-2020, almost totally off the back of local juniors. The flow of juniors has now all but stopped, and we haven't been able to field an Under 19's side since 2019.

Now, I'm not blaming this on GWS, but their semi-interest in the west hasn't helped. Ultimately, if the game is going to thrive at a junior level out here to be fair, it's up to the AFL. Where I am critical of GWS however is when they post absolute rubbish like this on their Facebook page (from March last year), which is patently untrue when it comes to the junior (and senior) game out here. Ignorant idiots.

We used to be at war in the beginning if I remember, I was willing to give them a chance you could see how bad the leadership was. How foolish I was.

The players coaches, staff, community, groups etc are all amazing hardworking people. This is wholly on Matthews and the AFL for giving him the free reign.

Imagine all the coin the club puts in through different strategies and ways went to WS grassroots instead of the South East and Canberra.
Hope the 2 mil a year and Matthews golden handshake was worth it.

Edit. sherb I think the only part we would still disagree with is Olympic park.
I think Olympic Park is a great Training base, mostly due to location, still is Western Sydney but easy access for the whole of Sydney. Lets face it young players like the beach and the city etc (and our Penrith Beach isn't umm great lol).

As for the actual stadium? Well Showgrounds has the best transport options of any stadium in Sydney, Its also the only one Oval wise in WS. Would I prefer a 35k facility in Parra or Blacktown or Liverpool or Penrith? Yeah. We going to get that anytime soon, even in the early days? No. Blacktown was going to be the spot. But there has been plenty of talk that the AFL was used to get the deal over the line for NSW Cricket and the cricket mad mayor at the time. Supposedly couldn't be there fulltime.
Either way there is no transport or facilities there for a fulltime professional club.

 

[Colonial]

Does anyone have an email for Sportsday or Gerard? Have an email. A bit too big for sms

 

[sherb]

Im not really across Sydney demographics but is there a touch of snobbishness/cultural cringe from administrators and players about the area?

It wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if there was.

 

[Colonial]

Gerard Healy is a disaster. Didn't spend two seconds verifying any participation numbers from a reliable source, and it's clear he isn't even sure what the figure of 97 relates to.

He isn't my favourite, his "Giants should move to SCG" always gets the blood boiling.
His numbers are wrong. But we are in trouble. Big trouble. Could still go either way. But have to get rid of Matthews fast, get out of the Canberra deal and go all in.

 

[Sentinel]

The overall premise of the article might be valid, but the details of this seems suss and makes the 97 number also questionable.

He talks about "13 and under boys" and then mentions boys in grades 3-6, who are generally aged 8 to 11. Then he talks of the development budget of "just under $20 million per year" over 15 years, and somehow we've reached "the best part of three quarters of $1 billion". Where are the other $450 million needed to get to that number?

 

[sherb]

Gerard Healy is a disaster. Didn't spend two seconds verifying any participation numbers from a reliable source, and it's clear he isn't even sure what the figure of 97 relates to.

For the area he is talking about, 97 can't possibly be right.

But I'd be interested to know the numbers for Blacktown and west of (ie Blacktown, Penrith, Hawkesbury, Lower Mountains) for instance. That area was pretty much sustaining a junior competition not that long ago. No longer.

 

[Colonial]

Email sent to SEN, AFL and the Giants.

Probably badly written and some mistakes but. Its what I got.

 

[Colonial]

Just a point regarding Mr Matthews love of the "The" marketers dream.

All NRL clubs who changed, changed back. Besides Dolphins, whose fans chant Redcliffe at the game.
NBL? Hawks changed back.

Kangaroos in the AFL did to.

All Super Rugby Clubs changed back.

And for the life of me, cant find one major professional sporting league in the world that did it.

But Matthews is smarter than everyone else. One of the most parochial places in the country, not full time, no name.

 

[Colonial]

Does make you wonder if the club was sold back in the day.

 

[Tenens Pila]

He isn't my favourite, his "Giants should move to SCG" always gets the blood boiling.
His numbers are wrong. But we are in trouble. Big trouble. Could still go either way. But have to get rid of Matthews fast, get out of the Canberra deal and go all in.

I'm with you 100%.

I see many factors conspiring to threaten the club's future in Sydney's west:

Ageing players on big $$$, long term contracts stifling the recruiting process. Who wants to come here except those who are basically on their last chance, unwanted by their former club?

The lack of an 11 game home ground in Sydney's west. I reckon that's the biggest issue.

Having the AFLW team play home games in Newtown which is essentially CBD.

We've lost our identity. Our representing Sydney's west is tokenistic at best, and I think people see it.

Oh, and the bluddy obnoxious noise from the PA at Engie (I reckon it's a factor - I'm going to one more game and if it's as bad as it has been, that's it for me.).

I would hedge my bets on the club being relocated.

It can't go on the way it is.

Or can it?

 

[Colonial]

Ageing players on big $$$, long term contracts stifling the recruiting process. Who wants to come here except those who are basically on their last chance, unwanted by their former club?

Yes and no. The way contracts are structed have no doubt the club is set up for the great kids we have coming through. Only concern for me is Daniels long term, he cant seem to get on the park for longer than a game.

The lack of an 11 game home ground in Sydney's west. I reckon that's the biggest issue.

Massive, equal to our name not being Western Sydney Giants. It would also mean all the coin we use on the Academies in Canberra etc would go to, gosh, Western Sydney, may start slow but once going will be great.

Having the AFLW team play home games in Newtown which is essentially CBD.

Yeah thats stupid, they are building facilities at Tom Wills so that both the AFLW and VFL games will be held there.
But yes a 5-10k stadium in somewhere between Parra Penrith Liverpool would be good. No transport options at Rooty Hill, unfortunitly, not nearby.

We've lost our identity. Our representing Sydney's west is tokenistic at best, and I think people see it.

Yep. But that's not shooting on the staff, players, workers at the club. They work as hard as they can for the place. Its our leadership off field.

Oh, and the bluddy obnoxious noise from the PA at Engie (I reckon it's a factor - I'm going to one more game and if it's as bad as it has been, that's it for me.).

No issue for me there.

I would hedge my bets on the club being relocated.

I do think part of the deal getting the funds for Tom Wills etc was a timeframe guarantee. Wouldn't surprise me if we are on a 20 year time clock. Which is why I say any change to save the club has to be done now.

It can't go on the way it is.

not long term

Or can it?

It will for a few more years as I said above about deals for state funding. But we wont grow, the people of Western Sydney wont have a club. And the disaster for the sport is we could be a successful club in Western Sydney if we had a leadership who believed in the mission.

 

[Tenens Pila]

Agree to disagree on some of your points Colonial which is fine.

What is clear though is that there are passionate GWS supporters, which might surprise some Vic-based dinosaurs.

 

[Philhawk]

The single biggest farce is the horrendous fixture they always seemingly get to start the year.

What is it, something like 3 home games in nearly 2 months?

 

[Tenens Pila]

The single biggest farce is the horrendous fixture they always seemingly get to start the year.

What is it, something like 3 home games in nearly 2 months?

The Canberra deal and the somewhat related unavailability of Homebush.

It's an identity killer.

 

[Philhawk]

The Canberra deal and the somewhat related unavailability of Homebush.

It's an identity killer.

Spent a bit of time at the Easter show on the weekend. It’s a travesty that the Giants can’t find a way to play a game there during that time with all the crowds on offer.

 

[Colonial]

Spent a bit of time at the Easter show on the weekend. It’s a travesty that the Giants can’t find a way to play a game there during that time with all the crowds on offer.

I remember we gave it a go once at Accor, during the Show. Cant remember how it worked out. Probably not too well.