When it comes to measuring AFL clubs, the GIANTS might be the youngest in age, but they are the biggest in heart.
The fabric that makes the GIANTS the club it is, is the Orange Army, the fans who will be acknowledged and celebrated at the Member Thanks game during the GIANTS last home-and-away game of the season at ENGIE Stadium this Saturday against Fremantle.
Defender Connor Idun says it’s a great opportunity thank those who ride the orange tsunami through thick and thin.
“The connection is a real thing with our members, we aren’t the size of the clubs that have been around for a hundred years, but our fan base is our benefit because we know most of our members on a personal level,” he explained.
“We get around to meet them, our fans are loud, and we really notice them during our games. I love our fans and love being able to meet as many of them as I can.
“Our numbers might be a bit smaller, but I think we’ve got the biggest heart.”
From meeting kids and remembering their names to spotting handmade posters and banners in the crowd, interactions between players and members are special.
“As a kid growing up, I dreamed of being someone’s favourite player so to have fans now who support me is great. I’ve got a favourite in Canberra who made a ‘President Idun’ sign,” Idun said.
“Through the Stephen Coniglio Academy, a lot of those boys are around the club a bit and you get to meet them and get to know them on a footy and personal level. When they meet us at training, they get to learn about who we are as people and when they come to the games, they’re so excited and we’ll point them out in the crowd and give them a wave and they love it and are all smiles.
“They are all multicultural kids and I see a bit of myself in them and love being a hero and role model for them.”
Members are there for every step of the footballing journey. Some of the faithfuls have been involved since the very beginning when Coniglio, Toby Greene, Nick Haynes and Adam Kennedy arrived as teenage draftees alongside fellow inaugural GIANT Callan Ward.
It’s something Isaac Cumming can relate to since he was selected by the GIANTS in the 2016 national draft.
“Our GIANTS members are incredible and such a big part of our journey,” he says.
“My number one is ‘Benny Boy’, we met at a clinic at the club after a game in my first season. We had a kick together and he said I was going to be his favourite player.
“It took me a while to crack into the senior team but Benny would always be there for our twos games at ENGIE Stadium. It’s cool to look back at all the photos over the years and how young we both were.
“He’s a teenager now and a very, very loyal fan of mine.
“We have a special connection with all our GIANTS members and love any opportunity we get to connect with them.”
Written by GIANTS ambassador and sports journalist Megan Hustwaite.
