The GWS Giants will play the Western Bulldogs for a spot in the AFL Grand Final tomorrow night.
It's a big moment for the youngest club in the League, and one that could help the AFL cultivate a major following in Sydney's populous, culturally diverse West.
The club has employed so-called 'community engagement coordinators' to go out into schools and introduce kids to the code.
"I'm not going to say it was easy," says coordinator Emad Elkheir.
"When we first started off, we'd go into schools and say 'we're from the Giants' and they'd say 'oh, which basketball team is that?'"
The Giants now have around 15,000 registered members, with many from culturally diverse backgrounds.
Jamal Fettayleh, a Year 9 student at the Al Noori Muslim School in Greenacre, says the diversity of the Giants fanbase is evident in the crowds at weekend matches.
"It helps you feel comfortable," he explains.
"AFL isn't really an ethnic sport - it wasn't an ethnic sport, until recently."
Jamal has gone on to create an AFL team of his own, named the Bankstown Bullsharks. The Giants provided the inspiration and logistical support. "Our jerseys are based on their jersey design," says Jamal.
The Giants have lofty ambitions for the growth of their fanbase and have set an official target of 20,000 members by the end of next year.
The Giants inspired Jamal to start a new team, named the Bankstown Bullsharks Source: Jamal Fettayleh
Many hope the club's unexpected success this year will help.
Mr Elkheir says Western Sydneysiders like an underdog - "but especially when that underdog starts winning, we're there to support them," he says.
