GWS in Canberra

[Canberra Pear]

Fixed

I thought you just said Western Sydney got the scraps

 

[Giant YoYo]

This is where AFL fans can annoy me.

Many are more interested in watching traditional well followed teams despite them being bottom 4, rather than than seeing actual good football sides, only turning up their nose at them just because they are not a traditional well followed team.

Some don't seem happy playing two top 8 teams and finals aspirants (& arguably a great contest and game) because they're not big four clubs. Yikes.

I can't say I attend games for the size of the opposition fanbases. I attend because I look forward to seeing a game of football and my team which I already do not see enough of.

 

[Cmarsh]

It's about atmosphere. Bigger crowds generally mean better atmosphere.

Good teams fluctuate, but big fanbases don't. And Western Sydney disproportionately gets the teams with bigger fanbases.

Big fanbases absolutely fluctuate in number when thyre side isnt doing well. Anyway, I dispute its all about atmosphere. Footy fans should really give more value than they do to good matchups despite them not being the biggest fanbases.

 

[Bjo187]

So would I. As I said, more than happy to play second fiddle in a temporary arrangement.

Less so if the Giants are the reason we don't get the 20th team though.

In fairness gc and Freo could be top 4 teams this year, so those should be cracking games. I agree they could have flipped Richmond to Canberra if playing in some shitbox venue in s.a anyway, but that game shouldn't be very competitive anyway. I'd prefer top quality games than an ordinary big 4 coming to town.

 

[Canberra Pear]

Big fanbases absolutely fluctuate in number when thyre side isnt doing well.

You know what I mean. An 18th Collingwood would draw more than a 1st Suns

Anyway, I dispute its all about atmosphere. Footy fans should really give more value than they do to good matchups despite them not being the biggest fanbases.

Canberra is a microcosm of the AFL community. We have huge local fanbases of Carlton, Collingwood, Richmond, Essendon and Sydney. They will rock up. And then a full Manuka creates a great atmosphere.

Our largest crowd was against one big four team we've hosted (and they were sitting 13th).

 

[Colonial]

I thought you just said Western Sydney got the scraps

We get both.
Though in 2026 some things have changed

 

[Colonial]

Canberra is a microcosm of the AFL community. We have huge local fanbases of Carlton, Collingwood, Richmond, Essendon and Sydney. They will rock up. And then a full Manuka creates a great atmosphere.

So would be like an away game for us. Yeah can see why we don’t send them

 

[Canberra Pear]

So would be like an away game for us. Yeah can see why we don’t send them

As opposed to Opening Round the past few years?

 

[Colonial]

As opposed to Opening Round the past few years?

60/40 Giants fans. We still outnumbered them. Was there.

 

[Canberra Pear]

60/40 Giants fans. We still outnumbered them. Was there.

The point is extra Giants fans and neutrals also go for the big teams. The promise of a bigger crowd brings even more people for the event. And Canberra doesn't get that.

Just shows the Giants aren't big enough to cover both markets.

 

[PaythePerryman]

It's about atmosphere. Bigger crowds generally mean better atmosphere.

Good teams fluctuate, but big fanbases don't. And Western Sydney disproportionately gets the teams with bigger fanbases.

Canberra crowds are very quiet in my experience. Even when it's full it's very mellow. Half filled Engie is louder.

Can't expect the oppo fans to bring the energy.

I agree with the poster earlier who talked about an obsession with big Vic clubs. Who gives a ****? Just go watch good footy games. Which 2/3 next year is amazing.

I feel like there would have been a winge no matter what tbh.

 

[Colonial]

The point is extra Giants fans and neutrals also go for the big teams. The promise of a bigger crowd brings even more people for the event. And Canberra doesn't get that.

Engie crowds proved they are very very loud even half full this year. Was a step up and maybe even a seismic change in us.
Canberra not so much. I do think, been told otherwise but to me, Canberra crowds don’t bring the atmosphere even when full. Maybe it is because they are mostly neutrals where as at the Showgrounds they are Giants majority.

Just shows the Giants aren't big enough to cover both markets.

No doubt. Hard enough to grow a game in 1 new market for a club, but 2? Impossible.

 

[Canberra Pear]

Canberra crowds are very quiet in my experience. Even when it's full it's very mellow. Half filled Engie is louder.

Can't expect the oppo fans to bring the energy.

I agree with the poster earlier who talked about an obsession with big Vic clubs. Who gives a ****? Just go watch good footy games. Which 2/3 next year is amazing.

I feel like there would have been a winge no matter what tbh.

As Colonial says, it's because Canberra is full of neutrals. We're an orange crowd, but every neutral in Canberra has Giants merch (my cupboard is full of it). We'll clap for the Giants, but not get as invested as we would for an actual team of our own.

But that's even more reason to give us more variety and bigger oppositions.

 

[Canberra Pear]

No doubt. Hard enough to grow a game in 1 new market for a club, but 2? Impossible.

Exactly. We're quibbling over the quality of the opposition teams we get because neither is good enough for either market.

But that's nothing compared to the number of games. Eight games is not enough for Western Sydney and three games is nowhere near enough for Canberra.

One team isn't big enough to cover both these markets.

 

[Colonial]

But that's even more reason to give us more variety and bigger oppositions.

That’s where we massively disagree.

Why would we give our “bigger games” to Canberra when they aren’t our home and aren’t invested?

Would only harm our actual heartland.

 

[Canberra Pear]

That’s where we massively disagree.

Why would we give our “bigger games” to Canberra when they aren’t our home and aren’t invested?

Would only harm our actual heartland.

Happy with that if the Giants let us go.

 

[Colonial]

Happy with that if the Giants let us go.

Canberra would need to want to go. Unfortunately our board isn’t going to say no to free coin.
And wether or not you are happy with it, the biggest games belong in WS

 

[PaythePerryman]

As Colonial says, it's because Canberra is full of neutrals. We're an orange crowd, but every neutral in Canberra has Giants merch (my cupboard is full of it). We'll clap for the Giants, but not get as invested as we would for an actual team of our own.

But that's even more reason to give us more variety and bigger oppositions.

You are getting good opponents. People are just obsessed with the big four Vic clubs. Mindset is wrong

 

[Canberra Pear]

You are getting good opponents. People are just obsessed with the big four Vic clubs. Mindset is wrong

Then why the hesitancy to share the big clubs?

Just telling us we have good opposition could work if they didn't actively hoard the big clubs for Western Sydney.

 

[Canberra Pear]

Canberra would need to want to go. Unfortunately our board isn’t going to say no to free coin.
And wether or not you are happy with it, the biggest games belong in WS

I think Canberra is making it clear. Our Chief Minister has come out saying we'd be the logical spot for Team 20. It's definitely a growing view.

But I think the most common view I hear here though is "I would love a team of our own, but the Giants won't let us go".

 

[Colonial]

I think Canberra is making it clear. Our Chief Minister has come out saying we'd be the logical spot for Team 20. It's definitely a growing view.

Great, announce it and we can change our name to Western Sydney and get on with it

But I think the most common view I hear here though is "I would love a team of our own, but the Giants won't let us go".

Won’t let? I have no doubt the club wants the coin but it’s up to Canberra to say no more, like Tassie.
No one forces me to pay money to someone.

 

[Canberra Pear]

Great, announce it and we can change our name to Western Sydney and get on with it

What more is there to announce? He's pretty much said we're keen. In the AFL and Giants' court.

Won’t let? I have no doubt the club wants the coin but it’s up to Canberra to say no more, like Tassie.
No one forces me to pay money to someone.

I hope we do. I hope when the time comes, our leadership steps up like Tasmania's did.

They've been subtly pushing behind the scenes, showing support, pushing to upgrade Manuka under the guise of cricket.

I know the conversations are being had. I just hope they're showing a bit of backbone.

 

[Colonial]

What more is there to announce? He's pretty much said we're keen. In the AFL and Giants' court.

Pretty much said and announced like Tassie are different.

I hope we do. I hope when the time comes, our leadership steps up like Tasmania's did.

That’ll be the issue.

They've been subtly pushing behind the scenes, showing support, pushing to upgrade Manuka under the guise of cricket.

We shall see.

I know the conversations are being had. I just hope they're showing a bit of backbone.

as above.

 

[PaythePerryman]

Then why the hesitancy to share the big clubs?

Just telling us we have good opposition could work if they didn't actively hoard the big clubs for Western Sydney.

You know why. It's crowd numbers.

 

[Canberra Pear]

You know why. It's crowd numbers.

Exactly. Which creates a better atmosphere.