Giants want AFL derby to be like Origin

GWS chief executive David Matthews envisages a time when the Sydney AFL derby holds the same appeal locally as rugby league's annual State of Origin series.

Swans-Giants

GWS boss David Matthews wants the Sydney AFL derby to hold the same status as State of Origin. (AAP)

GWS chief executive David Matthews wants Sydneysiders to hold their AFL derby in the same regard as rugby league's hugely successful State of Origin series.

The Giants and Swans clash in an elimination final at the SCG on Saturday.

It will be the second finals derby between the Harbour City clubs in just the seventh season of their rivalry.

"The derby in my mind - and this is fairly ambitious - should be in people's minds in Sydney, like the State of Origin," Matthews said.

"Because we know these two teams, regardless of where they are on the ladder, should punch on and should really give a great contest."

The Giants have recently broken through the 25,000 member mark.

Their average attendance at their primary home venue of Spotless Stadium this year is about 12,000, around half of the venue's capacity.

The Giants are continuing to lobby for the ground's capacity to be expanded to 35,000 and chairman Tony Shepherd believes it won't be that long before the club consistently draws big enough crowds to outgrow the venue in it's current configuration.

"If we do continue to get that penetration in western Sydney which we're getting through our community and the AFL programs, I don't think that's too far off," Shepherd told AAP.

"I'm not saying next year, but over the next five years we will start getting to that pinch point for certain games.

"You can expand the capacity of Spotless. Depending on how much money you spend, you could get it up to 35,000.

"I think that will happen, they play Big Bash (cricket) there now and have sellout crowds.

"With ANZ (Stadium) going rectangular, I think expanding Spotless will be the go."

The banter between the Sydney clubs extended to their administrators on Wednesday.

"While we respect them we don''t like them that much," quipped Swans CEO Andrew Ireland.

There was however, some genuine praise for Sydney from Matthews for their ability to make the finals, something they have done for the last nine seasons and 15 of the last 16.

"The thing I've got real admiration for the Swans about is their ability to defy gravity," Matthews said.

"They've just continued to play finals, we aspire to that too."


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Source: AAP



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