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Objectively are you honestly trying to make an argument that a local Tasmanian team won’t have more support then fifo clubsHawthorn has been playing in Tasmania for much longer.
You are delusional to think that being "Tasmanian" is some magic cure-all.
FIFO games are a measuring stick and you'd expect a home grown team to better a FIFO situation
but it's not a gimme is it. Take the rose coloured glasses off and start looking objectively at the probabilities.
Most would think if you get your own team more would turn up.Objectively are you honestly trying to make an argument that a local Tasmanian team won’t have more support then fifo clubs
Played all there home games in Sydney in 1982 while still being based in Melbourne didn’t relocate until 1983I don't think South Melbourne played many games in Sydney at all, maybe a couple, but the AFL did play a fair few games in Sydney over the years, they tested the waters you could say.
You're right they did, but they weren't South Melbourne in 1982 also, anyway, the VFL tested the waters 1st and I also think the war with the VFA had some influence, they wanted the Sunday tv slot.Played all there home games in Sydney in 1982 while still being based in Melbourne didn’t relocate until 1983
Objectively are you honestly trying to make an argument that a local Tasmanian team won’t have more support then fifo clubs
Were still reconised as South Melbourne in 82 didn’t change name til 83You're right they did, but they weren't South Melbourne in 1982 also, anyway, the VFL tested the waters 1st and I also think the war with the VFA had some influence, they wanted the Sunday tv slot.
What drugs are you on
Not what I remember, they changed their name in 1982 to the SwansWere still reconised as South Melbourne in 82 didn’t change name til 83
Most would think if you get your own team more would turn up.
But you said yourself, before there was a Sydney team, the AFL tested the waters, if they are doing the same here, they won't be that happy.
So we need Tasmanians to stop following the team they now follow and go to games.
I really don't think crowds are on top of the presidents agendas.
The GWS crowds are a concern, but at the moment, I think the AFL are prepared to wait.
Ask the afl we applied for a aflw license when they were expanding and instead got a half arsed north Melbourne alignment insteadHow many AFL draftees come from Tasmania ?
The reality is that you'll might have an AFL side that has the name "Tasmania" on it. (A bit like hawthorn eh)
Now if you really wanted a Tasmanian team then a Tasmanian AFLW side would be a lot more representative.
Why not start with an AFLW side to get the process rolling ?
Wiki says they started the 1982 as South Melbourne, changed to "Swans" mid-way through the season in June, then changed to Sydney for the 1983 season.Not what I remember, they changed their name in 1982 to the Swans
Ok, I always thought they changed to Swans for the season, it was a long time ago.Wiki says they started the 1982 as South Melbourne, changed to "Swans" mid-way through the season in June, then changed to Sydney for the 1983 season.
I mentioned they could play some of the lower drawing games at Blacktown Oval. It has a 10k capacity.
Not what I remember, they changed their name in 1982 to the Swans
Spot on the markWiki says they started the 1982 as South Melbourne, changed to "Swans" mid-way through the season in June, then changed to Sydney for the 1983 season.
It sure was. Just before my timeOk, I always thought they changed to Swans for the season, it was a long time ago.
So it raises the question as to where are these members on match days?GWS definitely has a way to go, but they've got 19k paying Sydney-based members (more than most Sydney NRL clubs) it's just changing the culture to actually attend.
I actually think it'd be better if Tasmania's stadium isn't immediately ready. An upgrade or temporary seating and it'd be packed for a few years, then when the new stadium comes in you'd get an Adelaide Oval-like boost
Hawthorn actually have "Tasmania" on their jumpers.
Yes exactly - with stuff all Tasmanians.
You might even have players from Western Sydney.
Which is where Brisbane Bears then Lions, the Swans, GC, GWS all started, being run by experienced football people. Those mainly from interstate.
Agreed, I think they should be based in Western Sydney only and reward people that live there , that are essentially pioneer supporters to have as many games there as possible.I agree.
One of the big mistakes made early on (which still continues) was to play some of their games in Canberra each year, it sent a confusing message about their commitment to the area they were supposedly representing.
We know the AFL media love a crisis. Right now it is North. Before this we have had GC, Port, Dees, etc. Changes were made and all have come through. North have 50K members and are financially solid, so that will be an easy three to five year fix with some player concessions.
AFL media attention is starting to turn towards GWS. In particular their horrible Showgrounds crowds. They are averaging under 6K. The lowest in AFL/VFL recorded history (excluding COVID and WW2) was Brisbane who averaged 6.5K in 1992. As a comparison, GC had 18K last week v Tigers. GWS best ever non Swans home crowd is 15K.
Footy Classified this week highlighted their salary cap/contract mess with guys like Coniglio (2027) and Kelly (2029, yes, really) on million dollar long term deals, along with Greene and Whitfield on similar coin. This will stop them being able to get Dusty or any other free agents. Given that most players would be prefer to be playing in an AFL city front of bigger crowds, I guess that you have to overpay to keep players.
Now that they are a bottom six club, crowds are unlikely to rise any time soon. They are stuck halfway between Sydney and Canberra. What can the AFL do to save the GIANTS?
Move to Canberra? When you take out the Swans games Canberra (10.5K) has higher average crowds than Showgrounds (9K) over the 10 years. When you factor in that the bigger clubs like Pies/Bombers/Tigers/Blues play @ Showgrounds, this is even more impressive. Are there really many potential AFL fans in NRL mad Western Sydney? North drew bigger crowds @ SCG in the 1990s. Sure, there are lots of people in Western Sydney, but most have little to zero interest in footy.
Focus on Western Sydney? Should they revert to their original name Western Sydney and focus on their supposed core area? Are they missing a marketing opportunity by not using the word Sydney in their name (it is always GWS or GIANTS, never Western Sydney)
Merge with a struggling Vic club? Given they only play eight games in Sydney, a merged club could keep that and play three home and five/six away in Melbourne, making it more palatable. With a Tassie team likely, perhaps the AFL could dangle a carrot, like they did in 1996 when Port was granted a provisional licence.
Or do they just be patient, and hope that is 10/20/30 years they can build crowds up to 15K - 20k?
GWS needed Buddy to go there.. Clarkson to coach and now maybe Dusty. They needed/need some big names.
Nah. Just need to get back to where they were when winning.
So it raises the question as to where are these members on match days?