It had been a huge day, February 24 - the launch of the Sydney
Swans at the Opera House followed by the Fairfax cocktail party - and
then it was a case of "been nice knowing you, all the best, we'll be
watching".
The Swans increasingly struggled as the years
unfolded, yet those with first-hand experience of the difficulties they
endured wondered how on earth they survived until a chap named Edelsten
sniffed an opportunity.
How things have changed as the AFL
launches a second, more considered, infinitely better-resourced
incursion on Sydney, this time on the western front.
Speaking at
Tuesday night's launch of Greater Western Sydney Giants, AFL chief
executive Andrew Demetriou assured about 800 people: "We're here for as
long as it takes." He said the AFL was committed, financially and
emotionally, to the 18th club - "be it 20 years, 30 years and beyond".
He meant it, too.
The AFL has pledged $120 million to the
project and Demetriou probably sees the expansion of the competition
into the Gold Coast (2011) and Greater Western Sydney (2012) as his
legacy to the game.
The GWS exercise has been three years in the planning and 12 months in execution. It has been a promising start.
There's genuine excitement and optimism, and the group is aiming high.
Kevin
Sheedy is renewed - fitter, fresher and tuned in. The veteran coach has
shed 11kg. He took training for the first time at his new club on
Tuesday, and his support staff is strong and experienced: Graeme Allan,
Stephen Silvagni, Craig Lambert, Alan McConnell and Neville Stibbard
among them, with Mark Williams considering an offer to join as senior
assistant coach.
Then there's Brownlow medallist and former Swans captain Paul Kelly, who works in the GWS Academy program, based in Wagga.
There's even the prospect Leigh Matthews will be involved.
GWS
chairman Tony Shepherd has invited Matthews to take a seat on the board
in a role similar to that occupied by Malcolm Blight with Gold Coast
Suns.
It's a big-picture role and Matthews, who attended a club
function at Breakfast Point yesterday, said later: "I'm warming to the
idea."
Then there is the priceless marketing tool, Israel Folau.
The
rugby league superstar was all the rage on Tuesday night - model for
the new jumper, symbol for the challenge everyone at GWS has taken on,
marquee player for the supporters who declared their allegiance at the
launch.
After signing merchandise and autographs and posing for
photographs for more than 30 minutes, Folau described the launch as
"awesome".
"Tonight was really exciting," he said. "I'm just looking forward to a new challenge and to working hard."
Only
time will tell about his aptitude for football, yet he has a solid
starting point: he's 21, 193cm and 104kg, quick and athletic.
He's a quick learner, too. Asked about Sheedy, he said: " 'Sheeds' is sort of a different bloke ...
"Different in a good way," he added hastily. "I feel very comfortable around him."
Sheedy said: "I probably feel the best I have in a long, long time. Probably since 2000."
Good year for Sheeds, that one.
Last Modified on 19/11/2010 14:26