GWS grand final appearance a Giant win for future of club and AFL in Sydney
The Giants suffered a devastating loss on the field in the AFL grand final. But AFLW captain Amanda Farrugia said just making the decider is a win for AFL in Sydney’s west.
Hills Shire
Don't miss out on the headlines from Hills Shire. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Giants might have fallen at the final hurdle but GWS’s appearance in the grand final is still a major victory for AFL in Sydney according to AFLW captain Amanda Farrugia.
The AFLW and GWS Giants star has forecast an explosion of interest across Sydney - and in particular in fan hot spots including the Hills District, Parramatta and Penrith - in the wake of the Giants making the grand final after just eight seasons of competition.
The Tigers captured their third Premiership in three years and their 12th AFL crown since their entry to the competition in 1908 when they overwhelmed the Giants 114-25 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday.
Despite the loss - the lowest score in a grand final since 1960 - just making it to the season decider will have a profound impact on the sport in Sydney, it’s growth an the expansion of its fan base.
Ferrugia believes the courage and grit shown by the Giants to get to the decider will resonate with youngsters and adults alike and win over a new legion of fans and players to both the sport and the club.
She has also forecast a spike in interest in youngsters playing AFL and AFLW in the wake of the Giants maiden grand final appearance and increasing attention on the women’s league.
CAPTAIN: Kezie Apps breaking new ground
“It will have a significant impact. It will awaken some of the people who haven’t really turned to AFL yet,’’ said Farrugia, 34, a Physical Education teacher at Our Lady of Mercy College in Parramatta.
“It will draw their attention and then link them to the club and the Giants.”
The Giants have worked overtime to win the hearts and minds of fans in the west and are already heavily embedded in the community with numerous schools visits, community programs and fan events.
But Farragut said there is nothing like success to pique even more interest.
“There will be a rush to play the sport of AFL, for new people to try the sport out and hopefully have some orange on them soon,’’ she said.
The Giants boast more than 30,000 on their membership log with AFL participation rates in NSW more than doubling to 280,000 since they started up.
“They are a successful club because of the way they go about their business, how they work in the community, the way they go to schools, run holiday clinics.’’
Farrugia recently won her third Mostyn Medal and was, crowned the AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division best and fairest.