Two weeks after the GWS AFLW team sent a message to Giants fans urging them to support their Sydney Swans counterparts, normality has returnedahead of the Sydney derby at Henson Park on Sunday.
On August 21, the Giants leadership team encouraged fans to attend their rivals’ match at the SCG after five players on the Swans’ AFL team were stood down for breaching club standards.
“This is a moment to put rivalries aside and bolster the women’s game in NSW by showing up and supporting the league and women in football,” the message read.
“We can’t wait to refire the rivalry in round five when we take on the Swans at Henson Park, but this weekend we hope to hear plenty of support for our crosstown compatriots, be it wearing orange or red.”
A record-breaking crowd attended that match at the SCG. But now, two games further into the season, the rivalry between Sydney’s two AFLW clubs has been reignited.
Having each won two of the first four editions of the derby, and with both sides coming into the game off the back of a defeat, there is little between the sides heading into Sunday’s clash.
But at Henson Park on Monday, Giants forward Tarni Evans was at pains to remind reporters that her side got the better of the Swans by one point in a pre-season match between the teams.
“It’s always the game that you put on the calendar,” Evans said. “It’s always one to get excited for, and we’ve been lucky enough to get the last couple of wins and hopefully get another one this weekend
“The derbies are always tight. Both the men’s and women’s comp, it’s always a tough game. So we can’t wait, and it’ll be tight again, I’m sure.”
The Giants have won one game and lost three so far this season, while the Swans suffered their first defeat on the weekend. Still, Swans co-vice captain Cynthia Hamilton said her team is eager to reclaim city bragging rights and get their season back on track.
‘It’s actually kind of beautiful how the club has reacted, and both teams have actually come together. I would say we’re closer than what we were before.’
Swans vice captain Cynthia Hamilton
“We’ve definitely got a bit of fire to come back and claim it back,” Hamilton said. “It’s always a good competition and hopefully, we can come out with the win on the weekend.”
Although the teams are back to being foes, both Evans and Hamilton are eager for the fans who attended the SCG and the Giants’ own double-header in their season opener to come and support the women’s game on Sunday.
“We want to push for women’s sport to get better and better, and I think getting bums on seats and being here to actually experience it live is better than watching it on the telly,” Hamilton said.
Hamilton believes Sunday will be another occasion for Swans fans to show their support amid a tumultuous few weeks for the club.
“When you look on the weekend, and you see the support the boys are getting and then vice versa when we were at the SCG as well, I think it just shows how special the Bloods bond is.
“The culture is there … Keep getting around us, keep showing up, and we won’t disappoint hopefully,” she said, adding that she wouldn’t be surprised if some of the men’s players were part of the Swans contingent at Henson Park on Sunday.
“I think the boys have been bloody awesome. I think they’ve really brought the two groups together these past couple of weeks, and I think in light of what’s happened, it’s actually kind of beautiful how the club has reacted, and both teams have actually come together. I would say we’re closer than what we were before,” she said.
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