Cross-town rivals the GIANTS and the Swans have come together to launch the 2016 Toyota AFL Finals Series in Sydney as the city gears up for the biggest AFL game ever seen in the state.
New South Wales Premier Mike Baird and Minister for Sport Stuart Ayres were on hand, along with the 2016 Premiership Cup, as GIANTS coach Leon Cameron and his Swans counterpart John Longmire met the media outside Sydney’s Luna Park.
Also in attendance were GIANTS co-captains Phil Davis and Callan Ward along with Swans co-captain Jarrad McVeigh.
The two sides agreed that the Qualifying Final clash at ANZ Stadium on Saturday, September 10 is a momentous occasion for AFL in New South Wales.
PRESSER: LEON CAMERON, PHIL DAVIS AND CALLAN WARD
Ward said it wasn’t just an exciting step for football in the state but also for his young club.
“It’s very exciting for us as a football club. We’ve been here for five years and done plenty of hard work so I’m vey proud of this football club,” Ward said.
“To play against the Sydney Swans, a team I respect and rate very highly, is very exciting for Sydney and AFL.”
Davis said the upcoming Derby is a game that will put the GIANTS on the map.
“The amount of clinics we’ve done over the past five years, with the natural progression and growth of AFL, participation numbers have gone through the roof,” Davis said.
“We go to schools now and there are a lot more guernseys, hats and scarves to sign. It’s been a very big increase and a game like this really puts us on the radar of all people in New South Wales.”
PRESSER: JOHN LONGMIRE AND JARRAD MCVEIGH
Sydney Swans co-captain and 2012 Premiership Player Jarrad McVeigh said it will be one of the biggest games he’s ever played in.
“For both New South Wales teams to be involved in it and to make the top four is a huge effort,” he said.
“Over the coming weeks it’ll be a nerve wracking time and hopefully there’s a big crowd out there.”
The Swans and GIANTS have clashed twice in the 2016 season with the Swans winning by 25 points at the SCG in round three while the GIANTS took the points at home in round 12 with a 42-point win.
The winner of the Qualifying Final will earn a week off and host a Preliminary Final in week three of the finals series while the loser will host a knock-out Semi Final in week two of the finals series.
PRESSER: PREMIER MIKE BAIRD AND STUART AYRES MP
Mr Baird said while the Derby was a great spectacle for AFL in New South Wales, it was also exciting that Sydney will host games in each of the first three weeks of the 2016 Toyota AFL Finals Series.
“The AFL is undoubtedly catching alight in this great city and across this state,” he said.
“It’s always been popular to have two Sydney teams in the finals is an historic event and I think we’re going to show those Melbournians how to play AFL over the coming weeks.”
Member for Penrith Stuart Ayres (also a dedicated GIANTS fan) encouraged anyone and everyone to get out to ANZ Stadium.
“The benchmark of the AFL for the last decade, the Sydney Swans, are being taken on by the new, emerging, class-act of the AFL in the Greater Western Sydney GIANTS,” Mr Ayres said.
“Quite simply my message is don’t think about it, just get out to ANZ Stadium on the 10th of September and look at one of the all-time great blockbusters of AFL football.
“It’s only $35 a ticket, there is simply no excuse so get on a plane, get on a train, get on a bus, walk to ANZ Stadium, do whatever you have to do but be part of history.”
