I think the first Suns game would be the outlier here - first game of season, playing a well supported big club, the Hardwick factor - not much else on re: games etc. You could have had reversed it though and still got the same type of crowds maybe - then you'd be saying the doubled it in a week lol.
Be interesting to see how crowds go for the Suns this year - remembering that going to the footy does not seem to be thing on the Gold coast given the poor crowds sporting events generally get apart from the odd "blockbuster" type game.
LeRoy - who do you have your money on for biggest home ground (CBus/People First) crowd average this year between the Titans and Suns? I will take the Suns but feel it will be pretty close as usual.
Greater Western Sydney is the worse name in Australian Sport, surley the feedback by now was to drop Greater..
its been 12 years now in existence..
and crowds are worse.. they only get bigger when big teams travel to them
imagen being a sporting franchise and you look at the books end of year.
and you only turned a profit because of away fans filling the stadium
wow round 10 until there next home game..
good point playing out of blacktown has a capacity of 10k too
Yep. They stuffed it up from the start. Based themselves in Blacktown, which actually is in greater western Sydney, but then turned their back on 'em and moved to Homebush. Which is classified as the inner west. But have to vacate the ground early in the season for the Royal Easter Show. Then they go and play 'home' games in Canberra. Typical AFL thinking they know the market when in fact they haven't got a clue.
They couldn't possibly be going any worse.
sheedy thought by year 10 they would be as big as Collingwood
I think the first Suns game would be the outlier here - first game of season, playing a well supported big club, the Hardwick factor - not much else on re: games etc. You could have had reversed it though and still got the same type of crowds maybe - then you'd be saying the doubled it in a week lol.
Be interesting to see how crowds go for the Suns this year - remembering that going to the footy does not seem to be thing on the Gold coast given the poor crowds sporting events generally get apart from the odd "blockbuster" type game.
LeRoy - who do you have your money on for biggest home ground (CBus/People First) crowd average this year between the Titans and Suns? I will take the Suns but feel it will be pretty close as usual.
legit they would of got that kind of crowd anytime of the year with Collingwood playing..
titans have 11 games at Robina
1 game at magic round brisbane
Suns have 8 games at Carrara
2 games at darwin and
1 in Adelaide for gather Round (suburban Ground)
be close whatever way you look at it..
i find it strange how suns take so many games away from QLD every year
I think the first Suns game would be the outlier here - first game of season, playing a well supported big club, the Hardwick factor - not much else on re: games etc. You could have had reversed it though and still got the same type of crowds maybe - then you'd be saying the doubled it in a week lol.
Be interesting to see how crowds go for the Suns this year - remembering that going to the footy does not seem to be thing on the Gold coast given the poor crowds sporting events generally get apart from the odd "blockbuster" type game.
LeRoy - who do you have your money on for biggest home ground (CBus/People First) crowd average this year between the Titans and Suns? I will take the Suns but feel it will be pretty close as usual.
legit they would of got that kind of crowd anytime of the year with Collingwood playing..
titans have 11 games at Robina
1 game at magic round brisbane
Suns have 8 games at Carrara
2 games at darwin and
1 in Adelaide for gather Round (suburban Ground)
be close whatever way you look at it..
i find it strange how suns take so many games away from QLD every year
I'm just looking at homes games held at the home ground (CBUS and People's Choice). But yes, I think it will be close. I also hate that the Suns play games in Darwin - why take home games away from a club trying to establish themselves in an area?
could be a very big crowd on Easter Sat night at Robina for the Tits V Phins
almost certainly will be if the Titans knock off the Dogs in Sydney this weekend
Yep, like GWS, playing away from home when you are trying to establish a loyal home crowd.
True. But they've got no choice because they signed up to the Showground Stadium knowing they'll be locked out for 6 weeks during the Royal Easter Show every single year.
Stupid decision on many levels. Homebush is not greater western Sydney. Neither is Canberra. They should have toughed it out at Blacktown. They would have got the respect of the local community for doing so. Their crowds may not be any better but at least they would be seen as a true greater western Sydney entity.
As it is they're nomads who are not claimed by any geographic area as their own. I see no answer for them. They're stuck between Homebush, Canberra and nowhere!
could be a very big crowd on Easter Sat night at Robina for the Tits V Phins
almost certainly will be if the Titans knock off the Dogs in Sydney this weekend
True - a lot of Phins fans would n\make the trip too I would think. Be interesting to see.
Yep, like GWS, playing away from home when you are trying to establish a loyal home crowd.
True. But they've got no choice because they signed up to the Showground Stadium knowing they'll be locked out for 6 weeks during the Royal Easter Show every single year.
Stupid decision on many levels. Homebush is not greater western Sydney. Neither is Canberra. They should have toughed it out at Blacktown. They would have got the respect of the local community for doing so. Their crowds may not be any better but at least they would be seen as a true greater western Sydney entity.
As it is they're nomads who are not claimed by any geographic area as their own. I see no answer for them. They're stuck between Homebush, Canberra and nowhere!
spot on - particularly this bit "They should have toughed it out at Blacktown. They would have got the respect of the local community for doing so. Their crowds may not be any better but at least they would be seen as a true greater western Sydney entity"
Stupid decision on many levels. Homebush is not greater western Sydney. Neither is Canberra. They should have toughed it out at Blacktown. They would have got the respect of the local community for doing so. Their crowds may not be any better but at least they would be seen as a true greater western Sydney entity.
Clearly you don’t understand the history of the Giants in Blacktown and the necessity of their move to the Showgrounds. The Giants really had no other choice with Cricket NSW having control of the ground during the summer months and pre season for the AFL.
This was published 11 years ago
GWS defends club's move to new ground
By Caroline Wilson
May 29, 2012 — 3.00am
GREATER Western Sydney has defended its decision to walk away from its founding home less than halfway through its first AFL Season. Giants chief executive Dave Matthews said last night that the club would have struggled to retain its premium draft picks had the club remained at Blacktown.
In a move which underlined the shambolic circumstances surrounding the club's launch into the AFL, Matthews has pulled off something of a coup in transporting the club out of Sydney's deep west and significantly closer to town at the Olympic precinct just minutes from Skoda Stadium - the Giants' fourth home ground this season.
Matthews was seconded from the AFL to take over the club at the end of last season when it had not only failed to secure a permanent training venue but had not yet chosen a club song, settled upon a team of executives or secured sufficient major sponsors.
But the AFL's and the club's top priority in appointing Matthews was to establish a suitable home in the face of growing player discontent. Matthews defended the multi-million dollar establishment of the Blacktown training and administration facility - a potential white elephant - which the Giants will now depart and leave for its AFL academy staff. He also denied the club was no longer representative of Greater Western Sydney.
"Where we are going to be based is still the west of Sydney," said Matthews. "I don't think there are any other football codes spending $4 million in development across the west of Sydney.
"We've been as open and honest as we possibly can to the people of Blacktown about what the needs of an elite team are. We've shown them what Collingwood looks like and what Essendon will look like and explained that that is what the benchmark is for the best young players in the country.
"The reality is there's not a summer training facility for us at Blacktown International Sports Park." GWS has secured $2 million in federal government funding to help build its new home.
The AFL's other coup with GWS has been a $26 million 10-year deal with the ACT government. The Giants will play four home games a season at Canberra's Manuka Oval and hold a pre-season training camp in Canberra each year - starting at the end of this season.
Now as for Homebush and what is Western Sydney representation, the Sydney Thunder in the BBL play at the Showgrounds. Do they represent Western Sydney?
What about the Western Sydney Wanderers when they played home games at the Showgrounds?
Or Canterbury/Bankstown Bulldogs in the NRL playing games at the Showgrounds and still now at Olympic Stadium. And South Sydney? What about Wests Tigers?
Of course Homebush is in Western Sydney. Gees just ask Swans fans their perception of travel out there from the east, north, south and inner city when we had home games at Olympic Stadium. Personally, I actually didn’t mind the great public transport options and had great reserved seats there and at the SCG so it didn’t bother me.
Anyways that all aside, 3 games in Canberra is problematic I agree. And games against clubs like North Melbourne or Fremantle could be considered for Blacktown I guess, but then again, have you been out there? There is only 1,000 seats in the one tiny grandstand there, the rest is hill. Public transport when I’ve gone out there is awful too. Would hate to go to footy there in the rain. As I’ve said before, the Giants will take time to grow. Heck the Swans nearly folded early on and yet look at them now.
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Stupid decision on many levels. Homebush is not greater western Sydney. Neither is Canberra. They should have toughed it out at Blacktown. They would have got the respect of the local community for doing so. Their crowds may not be any better but at least they would be seen as a true greater western Sydney entity.
Clearly you don’t understand the history of the Giants in Blacktown and the necessity of their move to the Showgrounds. The Giants really had no other choice with Cricket NSW having control of the ground during the summer months and pre season for the AFL.
This was published 11 years ago
GWS defends club's move to new ground
By Caroline Wilson
May 29, 2012 — 3.00am
GREATER Western Sydney has defended its decision to walk away from its founding home less than halfway through its first AFL Season. Giants chief executive Dave Matthews said last night that the club would have struggled to retain its premium draft picks had the club remained at Blacktown.
In a move which underlined the shambolic circumstances surrounding the club's launch into the AFL, Matthews has pulled off something of a coup in transporting the club out of Sydney's deep west and significantly closer to town at the Olympic precinct just minutes from Skoda Stadium - the Giants' fourth home ground this season.
Matthews was seconded from the AFL to take over the club at the end of last season when it had not only failed to secure a permanent training venue but had not yet chosen a club song, settled upon a team of executives or secured sufficient major sponsors.
But the AFL's and the club's top priority in appointing Matthews was to establish a suitable home in the face of growing player discontent. Matthews defended the multi-million dollar establishment of the Blacktown training and administration facility - a potential white elephant - which the Giants will now depart and leave for its AFL academy staff. He also denied the club was no longer representative of Greater Western Sydney.
"Where we are going to be based is still the west of Sydney," said Matthews. "I don't think there are any other football codes spending $4 million in development across the west of Sydney.
"We've been as open and honest as we possibly can to the people of Blacktown about what the needs of an elite team are. We've shown them what Collingwood looks like and what Essendon will look like and explained that that is what the benchmark is for the best young players in the country.
"The reality is there's not a summer training facility for us at Blacktown International Sports Park." GWS has secured $2 million in federal government funding to help build its new home.
The AFL's other coup with GWS has been a $26 million 10-year deal with the ACT government. The Giants will play four home games a season at Canberra's Manuka Oval and hold a pre-season training camp in Canberra each year - starting at the end of this season.
Now as for Homebush and what is Western Sydney representation, the Sydney Thunder in the BBL play at the Showgrounds. Do they represent Western Sydney?
What about the Western Sydney Wanderers when they played home games at the Showgrounds?
Or Canterbury/Bankstown Bulldogs in the NRL playing games at the Showgrounds and still now at Olympic Stadium. And South Sydney? What about Wests Tigers?
Of course Homebush is in Western Sydney. Gees just ask Swans fans their perception of travel out there from the east, north, south and inner city when we had home games at Olympic Stadium. Personally, I actually didn’t mind the great public transport options and had great reserved seats there and at the SCG so it didn’t bother me.
Anyways that all aside, 3 games in Canberra is problematic I agree. And games against clubs like North Melbourne or Fremantle could be considered for Blacktown I guess, but then again, have you been out there? There is only 1,000 seats in the one tiny grandstand there, the rest is hill. Public transport when I’ve gone out there is awful too. Would hate to go to footy there in the rain. As I’ve said before, the Giants will take time to grow. Heck the Swans nearly folded early on and yet look at them now.
I agree
they're irrelevant from the Anzac Bridge to Blackheath
Stupid decision on many levels. Homebush is not greater western Sydney. Neither is Canberra. They should have toughed it out at Blacktown. They would have got the respect of the local community for doing so. Their crowds may not be any better but at least they would be seen as a true greater western Sydney entity.
Clearly you don’t understand the history of the Giants in Blacktown and the necessity of their move to the Showgrounds. The Giants really had no other choice with Cricket NSW having control of the ground during the summer months and pre season for the AFL.
This was published 11 years ago
GWS defends club's move to new ground
By Caroline Wilson
May 29, 2012 — 3.00am
GREATER Western Sydney has defended its decision to walk away from its founding home less than halfway through its first AFL Season. Giants chief executive Dave Matthews said last night that the club would have struggled to retain its premium draft picks had the club remained at Blacktown.
In a move which underlined the shambolic circumstances surrounding the club's launch into the AFL, Matthews has pulled off something of a coup in transporting the club out of Sydney's deep west and significantly closer to town at the Olympic precinct just minutes from Skoda Stadium - the Giants' fourth home ground this season.
Matthews was seconded from the AFL to take over the club at the end of last season when it had not only failed to secure a permanent training venue but had not yet chosen a club song, settled upon a team of executives or secured sufficient major sponsors.
But the AFL's and the club's top priority in appointing Matthews was to establish a suitable home in the face of growing player discontent. Matthews defended the multi-million dollar establishment of the Blacktown training and administration facility - a potential white elephant - which the Giants will now depart and leave for its AFL academy staff. He also denied the club was no longer representative of Greater Western Sydney.
"Where we are going to be based is still the west of Sydney," said Matthews. "I don't think there are any other football codes spending $4 million in development across the west of Sydney.
"We've been as open and honest as we possibly can to the people of Blacktown about what the needs of an elite team are. We've shown them what Collingwood looks like and what Essendon will look like and explained that that is what the benchmark is for the best young players in the country.
"The reality is there's not a summer training facility for us at Blacktown International Sports Park." GWS has secured $2 million in federal government funding to help build its new home.
The AFL's other coup with GWS has been a $26 million 10-year deal with the ACT government. The Giants will play four home games a season at Canberra's Manuka Oval and hold a pre-season training camp in Canberra each year - starting at the end of this season.
Now as for Homebush and what is Western Sydney representation, the Sydney Thunder in the BBL play at the Showgrounds. Do they represent Western Sydney?
What about the Western Sydney Wanderers when they played home games at the Showgrounds?
Or Canterbury/Bankstown Bulldogs in the NRL playing games at the Showgrounds and still now at Olympic Stadium. And South Sydney? What about Wests Tigers?
Of course Homebush is in Western Sydney. Gees just ask Swans fans their perception of travel out there from the east, north, south and inner city when we had home games at Olympic Stadium. Personally, I actually didn’t mind the great public transport options and had great reserved seats there and at the SCG so it didn’t bother me.
Anyways that all aside, 3 games in Canberra is problematic I agree. And games against clubs like North Melbourne or Fremantle could be considered for Blacktown I guess, but then again, have you been out there? There is only 1,000 seats in the one tiny grandstand there, the rest is hill. Public transport when I’ve gone out there is awful too. Would hate to go to footy there in the rain. As I’ve said before, the Giants will take time to grow. Heck the Swans nearly folded early on and yet look at them now.
Hahahaha!!!! What a.....ummmmm........beatup!!!!! The only true bit is this, "chief executive Dave Matthews said last night that the club would have struggled to retain its premium draft picks had the club remained at Blacktown." Correct.
Blacktown is not exactly known as a cultural mecca of Sydney. It's 35km from Sydney Harbour. It's the place Eddie Maguire called the "...land of the falafel". He didn't say it as a tribute. It is solidly blue collar gritty hard working folk.
There is not a chance in hell the AFL wanted their precious skinny, white, private school educated prancers basing themselves in Blacktown. They knew they would run squealing like stuck pigs back to mummy and daddy the second they took 'em on a tour of their new "home base". Fact.
That's why super coach Kelvin Sheedy's wife scoped out a beautiful little harbourside village at Breakfast Point to house the precious petals. It's 30km from Blacktown. It has not one characteristic in common with it. But funnily enough its 6km from Homebush. And voila......they give their middle finger to Blacky and off to the harbour they go.
The excuse was of course was NSW cricket who apparently, "have control of the ground (Blacktown) during the summer months and pre season for the AFL." So they move to the Showground which they can't use for 6 weeks at the beginning of the actual season lolololololol!!!!!!! And then do a deal to play 'home games' in nearby Canberra lololololololololol!!!!!!!!
Get a bit of reality into ya life beatup. Blacktown wasn't good enough for 'em. Too working class. Too far out from 'beautiful' Sydney. Beggars belief why they called themselves 'Greater' western Sydney. that actually IS Blacktown. They should call 'emselves "Inner west very close to the harbour Sydney Precious Boys." Got a ring to it. I like it!!!!!
Gees Terry if only you did some research and educated yourself. You clearly know nothing about the history and subject matter.
The Reality of Blacktown Oval
So a number of things have sparked up in the recent establishments of Gold Coast and GWS, and for those who like to engage in Code Wars, heres something of a history going back 20 years or so.
Blacktown Oval
In 2005, the NSW government announced $20 million in funding for the development of Cricket and AFL facilities in Western Sydney. Importantly, the announcement specifically mentions the funding is for AFL/Cricket facilities and $5 million for soccer.
Developing a main oval with seating capacity for 10,000 spectators, including a grandstand;
Developing a second oval for training and junior games;
Constructing an indoor practice hall, possibly with gym, sports injury and education and training facilities; and
Providing additional car parking and an adventure playground.
Andrew Demetriou was quoted by NSW Planning
“AFL/Blacktown Council community partnership, will host the AFL’s multicultural program, school and community activities”
This is crucial to remember later on. At the time approval was granted GWS was not part of the plan.
The Blacktown facility was ready in July 2008. The Daily Telegraph reported that the council had spent 15 of 20 million allocated to sport facilities in the area on one oval. Rugby League people were reported as furious and that league facilities in the region deserved more attention.
“I think it’s disgusting. They’re building up another code while letting down a code that has supported them for years.” – Don Milides, Rooty Hill Dragons secretary
For its part the council responded that the NRL had backed down on its plans to build an academy in Blacktown. Blacktown Mayor Leo Kelly was reported as saying
“I’d say to (NRL chief David) Gallop and all the rugby league maybe get off your hands, come out and talk to us and we’ll move on. Blacktown doesn’t owe the NRL anything, the NRL owes Blacktown.”
In May 2012, The Telegraph and The Age reported on the GWS move to Homebush due to a lack of summer facilities, noting that while the move takes AFL premiership matches from Western Sydney (not something that was ever going to happen anyway), the AFL will continue to play NAB Cup and NEAFL matches there. Some Administration and talent programs will be based at the centre. The move was expected to save $18 million.
Did you know Cricket NSW actually wanted a 20,000 seat stadium in Blacktown?
Cricket NSW supports Blacktown Council’s plans for a 20,000-seat stadium at Blacktown International Sports Park at Rooty Hill
CRICKET NSW has backed proposed plans for a 20,000-seat cricket stadium outlined in Blacktown Council’s draft master plan for Blacktown International Sportspark at Rooty Hill.
Ryan Lipman
May 10, 2013 - 12:21PM
Mt Druitt-St Marys Standard
Cricket NSW later decided to move its training and admin base to Homebush too, along with the Western Sydney Wanderers.
Again, the Greater Western Sydney Giants were never expected to play premiership matches at Blacktown. A redeveloped Sydney Showground with NSW Government backing was always the plan for the launch of the team from season 2012.
On July 29, 2010 the AFL Commisssion announced that Team GWS was granted a licence to become the 18th team and would enter the competition in 2012. The announcement was made after the formal signing of an agreement with the NSW Government and the Royal Agricultural Society for a $60 million redevelopment of the Sydney Showgrounds - to become the home ground of GWS.
And finally, as has always been the case according to the AFL:
“This is a generational decision and the success of AFL in Greater Western Sydney won’t be known for 25 or 30 years but with a population of two million people, the AFL is serious about this venture and today’s appointment of one of the biggest names in AFL demonstrates our commitment to this region,” then AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou said.
