To visit the Sydney Swans website click the logo below.

Round 5 – Sydney Swans v GWS: Cross-City Derby?

After an emotional afternoon which saw my Dogs just get up in the last 5 minutes to do the right thing by Robert Murphy, I ventured to the SCG expecting the Swans to put up a fight against GWS. I even went as far as picking them to win! I’m certainly not destined to win back the Currie Cup in my own tipping competition this year!

 

After a brilliant 4 goals start by the Swans I thought we were in for a good game and that the Swans malaise was over. However, GWS settled, like a good team does, and before too long the game was being played on their terms. At quarter time GWS had jumped in front by 10 points.

 

In the second quarter the Swans could only manage 3 points at the Randwick end whilst GWS slammed on goals by Ward, Greene and Smith. Parker took a brilliant one-handed slips catch for the Swans but could only manage a point. Story of the quarter. Despite being down by 32 points at half time the Swans were clapped off enthusiastically. Rick wanted to boo them. I argued with him and told him you can’t do that. They are giving their all; they are just being outclassed by a significantly superior team (at this point anyway). See how they go next quarter. Fortunately Rick kept his decorum but insisted he’s not coming back next year after 20 years of being a member.

 

Rohan snapped the first goal in the third quarter. Could the Swans get back? Sinclair bagged one but then Jack missed for the Swans but Green for GWS didn’t. Buddy finally got one and, after a dull patch, Parker goaled. A slight sniff in the air. Buddy had a chance right on ¾ time but missed. The Swans were 22 points down and still in it. Not premiership material Rick, but not pathetic.

 

Williams kicked the first goal for the quarter and Reid replied for the Swans but that was the last hurrah for the Swans as Toby Greene kicked the sealer.

 

I didn’t stick around for the Cup presentation or to see if they received as good a reception when they came off at the end of the game as they did at half time.  I doubted it. A seven goal loss was pretty significant.

 

I do like the GWS theme song but hope I don’t hear it next week. I think my Doggies face a formidable challenge against GWS. They are a very good unit.

 

The crowd was just under 35,000 – less than the previous home game against Collingwood. It shows up my concern about football in Sydney. The Swans were boasting a record membership of 56,000. Where were they? Some I know are from Melbourne. GWS have only 10,000 members and a lot of them are from Canberra.  So, there would only have been about 1,000 GWS supporters at the game. So much for a Cross-City Derby. The other worrying factor is that when Swans members don’t turn up nobody can buy their seats unless members redeem them. They rarely do as they are too busy to bother or lazy or both. So, there are always lots of empty seats. I’m not sure if and when we will ever see a full capacity stadium for a match except for a finals game. The chances for that this year are now certainly fading.

 

The Swans face Carlton in Melbourne next week so have a good chance of finally getting some premiership points. GWS will be out for revenge against the Dogs in Canberra. I will be there. I know their form so will be able to shout out tips from the side. Rick won’t be there, so I don’t expect to hear any booing, unless Mr. Shaw’s slanging antics have received good coverage in our capital.

 

Sydney Swans  4.1          4.4          8.7          9.9.63

GWS Giants        5.5          9.6          11.11     15.15.105

 

Goals:

 

Sydney Swans:  Franklin 3, Tippett, Kennedy, Rohan, Sinclair, Parker, Papley

GWS: Greene 4, Smith 3, Cameron 2, Tomlinson, Ward, Patton, Johnson, Lobb, Reid, Williams

 

Best:

 

Sydney Swans:  Jones, Lloyd, Hannebery, Hewett, Kennedy

 

GWS: Mumford, Ward, Cameron, Williams, Scully, Kelly, Haynes

 

Our votes: Ward, Mumford, Jones

 

Umpires: Ryan, Meredith, Deboy

 

Attendance: 34,824 at SCG

About Les Currie

I'm a passionate lifelong Bulldog supporter born and raised in Melbourne, After stints in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne I have now been in Sydney for the last 30 years. I have been involved in the arts all my life predominantly as a Theatre Producer and Manager with early stints in film and television. I am now getting back into writing and enjoying developing the character of Zuka the Flying Wonder Dog and working on a novel set in post '54 Footscray. When not working, writing, watching plays or movies or watching footy I'm at the beach or in the bush avoiding traffic.

Comments

  1. Keiran Croker says

    Les, I agree that GWS at the moment are a way superior team than the Swans. I actually enjoy watching them play, just not flogging us.
    I have not checked the historical records however I reckon 35,000 is a good crowd at the SCG, they rarely get over 40,000. About 12,000 Swans members are in Melbourne I believe. Will be interesting to see how crowds stand up if we continue in current form. Predict about 28,000 for Lions game this week.
    Your mate Rick needs to show some back bone and hang in there as we are shaping a good and talented squad.

Leave a Comment

*