An all-Sydney AFL grand final — Eddie McGuire’s worst nightmare — edging ever closer to reality

IT’S time for Melbourne to eat humble pie and get behind the possibility of an all-Sydney AFL grand final for the good of the game, writes BEN HORNE.

IMAGINE this scenario in Melbourne in a month’s time: the Sydney Swans and the Greater Western Sydney Giants setting off down Spring Street for the grand final parade.

Hold onto your red and orange hats, because it’s not as far-fetched as it might sound.

An all-Sydney AFL grand final — Eddie McGuire’s worst nightmare — is edging ever closer to becoming a reality.

Not only that, the once iron-clad claim the southern states have held to being the home of AFL is now under threat for the very first time from a NSW invasion.

Are dark days ahead for Eddie McGuire?

Already we have a cross-town Swans v Giants derby lined-up for week one of the finals.

Now the AFL has released its preliminary All-Australian squad — and guess what?

A quarter of the 40-man line-up is from Sydney and GWS.

That’s extraordinary representation from a city the Melbournites claimed could only handle one AFL team.

The all-Sydney final shapes as the biggest AFL match ever in NSW, but it may only be the entree.

A grand final date between the Swans and Giants at ANZ Stadium would be a crowning moment for Aussie rules in this rugby league dominated state.

But how many club types in Melbourne would be popping the champagne?

A Swans v GWS grand final is not out of the question.

Collingwood boss McGuire has led the chorus of criticism levelled against the Giants and the Swans. In particular, he’s been damning of the help the AFL has given their Sydney-based teams over the years to ‘even the playing field’.

There is an underlying disdain across the game for the leg-ups AFL house has given GWS in its fledgling years in regards to their academies and other concessions.

However, the fact the Giants have powered into the AFL top four and within reach of a fairy tale grand final suggests that the game’s bold expansion into Sydney’s west has been an overwhelming success.

How the finals stand.

The proof will be in the pudding.

Next week’s all-Sydney final, and the very real prospect of an all-Sydney grand final will determine once and for all whether AFL punters share the enthusiasm of AFL administrators for the emphasis that’s been put on growing the game in Sydney.

Would an all-Sydney decider at the MCG go down like a lead balloon in football-loving Melbourne?

A looming embarrassment for the game to have a Giants club with precious few fans and members marching into Melbourne for the biggest match of the year.

The rivalry between the Swans and GWS has been growing for years. Could it now be set to explode?

Or would it be celebrated as a triumph for the game?

A golden chance to deliver a devastating blow to the NRL and their hold on the Sydney marketplace.

For some a Sydney grand final blackout is the apocalypse, but for the believers it could be the start of a bold revolution.

It’s time for Melbourne to eat some humble pie and get behind the underdog for the good of the game and its future as the country’s No. 1 sport.

Originally published as An all-Sydney AFL grand final — Eddie McGuire’s worst nightmare — edging ever closer to reality