Round 11 – GWS v Essendon: The Bell Frogs and Schnitzenstein are Here to Stay

I did something I like to do sometimes when going to a home game – I park in a 4 hour free parking space near the Brick Pit in Olympic Park. This is a famed place, where a carpark and other developments were halted all to preserved the largest habitat of the little known green and gold bell frog. I sometimes think the bell frog as a bit of a metaphor for the western Sydney AFL supporter. We had our habitats, but were spread out and little known. We have, however, had our numbers preserved, given our own space and now we are thriving and spreading to other parts of the west.

 

 

 

The ring walk above the frogs’ habitat exists today as an oasis of calm before the game. Walking towards the lacrosse bats of the Sydney Showground are an imposing and inspiring sight. The walk felt a bit different this year than it did this time last year. More and more people, in Giants’ gear, families, girls with AFLW gear.

 

I did not take my usual position behind the goals with the cheer squad, my Swans’ supporting wife came this time, and we sat in the Members’ section. I used to sit in the Members’ much more, once, but it used to be a bit bare of comment and engagement with the action. This time around, like with the walk, showed that things are changing markedly – the cheering and the comments were more knowledgeable and engaged.

 

It was from this position that I could see the banners, which told an interesting story. First up was the Bombers’, with their tribute to Brendan Goddard’s 300th game, which praised his “skillful” ways. Not inspirational, not “thanks, mate”, more a praise of his skill. The question I have for this banner may just be me being an English teacher, but when we praise someone for their “skill”, it’s faint praise, because a good piece of work shows more than just skill. Then again, BJ does have skill.

 

 

 

Then there was time for the Giants’ banner, which don’t aspire for a comedian’s sharp wit, but aim for a more generalised warm feeling most of the time. Today’s was a touch sharper.

 

 

 

A nice Beatles-esque tribute to the reaching of the milestone of 20,000 members. Here To Stay also provides a rebuff to critics of the club’s foundation and continuing existence. For us who sit in the stands from week to week, it provides more encouragement that the support is continually growing.

 

As for the game, it was a bit different from others this year. Strange, even. For one, there were far fewer contested marks taken in the forward 50 than usual. We certainly miss Rory Lobb in games like this, especially when we saw Toby Greene and Harry Himmelberg try to take contested marks in the forward 50. Strange to see Zac Williams bob up from the backline to race forward and claim 3 goals.  Strange to see Jeremy Cameron in the backline and doing his new role as roaming half back rebounding weapon, but not appear all that much in the forward 50. I wish I could say it was strange to see Jonny Patton going into the backline and on the wings to claim some touches, but that has been his lot more recently.

 

Not so strange was the sight of Josh Kelly whip around the clearances, getting the ball and hoisting it wherever it needed to be. We are lucky to be able to witness the emergence of a truly great player this season, one that is not only the mortar to hold the side together, but the catapult to propel the side forward. We hear snatches of the Victorian clubs possibly offering more and more money for his services – I am waiting for Mark Robinson to suggest that a Vic club bends the laws of time and space in order to obtain him – but we are very glad to be the ones to witness him enjoy his football. If Kelly was to stay at the club, he could still enjoy being one of many young players, combining to do something new. If he took the whatever-it-takes salary from a Victorian club, the expectations of the club’s supporters would be resting almost entirely on his shoulders, rising and falling with his numbers. He would also be under the extreme microscopic analysis that Melbourne’s AFL media leviathan exacts. In Sydney, Josh Kelly, can happily be great at football, get a decent wage and be enjoyed by the Giants’ supporters and have little media scrutiny brought to bear. There is something to be said for him to stay where the air is clear and the camaraderie is strong.

 

Against all of this, Essendon played a good game throughout. Their work around clearances was strong, which was a plus against a team that prides itself on getting the ball out. Impressive, as ever, was Dyson Heppell, whose leadership and calm was impressive close up – even if his disposal numbers didn’t seem to bear that out. It was good to see Jobe Watson back amongst it, even if some of his disposals weren’t as strong as they could be. Tom Bellchambers was the latest ruckman to keep Mumford quiet – a trend that must be concerning Leon Cameron, though that does bring good news for Dons supporters. Orazio Fantasia also does dazzle with his speed and irresistible force. My wife was disappointed that Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti was kept quiet until the last quarter – he was outstanding in the game in Melbourne last year where the Bombers almost caused the upset of the year (I will admit I was disappointed too – he’s great to watch). There were overall good signs for the Bombers, even if the 300 gamer, Goddard, seemed a bit slow and below his best for the game. Perhaps that’s why he sprayed the change room pretzels in anger at half time.

 

 

The result was a lot closer than a number of predictions – even though I tipped a 19 point win. The Giants are still down a number of players and seem as though they are hanging out for the bye. This is not to diminish the Bombers’ achievements – they seem not all that far away from a resurgence.

 

In the meantime, the Giants are definitely here to stay. There were another couple of milestones for the club on this day – it was the first time the attendance at our home game was greater than that for the NRL game next door – something to get Sydney media a bit excited.

 

 

Personally, crowd numbers doesn’t much bother me, until those crowds become engaged, involved, passionate, welded on.  But it is nice to see growth in those numbers all the same. Also, it was a great day for the Giants’ Netball side, defeating Collingwood inside the last minute – this is a trend for the year so far. This time, however, that win brings the netballers one step closer to a grand final berth.

 

Finally, I also hope this new food stand at the Showground is here to stay. There is plenty about Schnitzenstein and the other schnitzels that can provide plenty of metaphors for football in western Sydney.  And we can laugh along with all of them.