Big TV numbers for GWS Giants in loss to Western Bulldogs

The GWS Giants have proved a big hit with sport starved Sydney fans with some interesting numbers for round three match.

Tim English of the Bulldogs and Sam Jacobs of the Giants compete for the ball during the round three AFL match between Western Bulldogs and GWS Giants. Pic: AAP/Scott Barbour.

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Sports starved Sydney fans have got behind the Giants in a big way despite their disappointing loss to the Western Bulldogs in the last round of the AFL.

Minus big names including Toby Greene, Josh Kelly and then Lachie Whitfield for the final three quarters due to concussion, the Leon Cameron coached Giants were downed 57-33 at Marvel Stadium.

Heath Shaw marks the ball during the round three match between Western Bulldogs and GWS Giants at Marvel Stadium.

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But the Bulldogs first win of the year was a game Giants fans wanted to see.

Channel 7 has released data from Friday nights game showing an enormous spurt of interest for the Giants.

Sydney’s average audience of 42,000 was up 40% on round three last year and 27% up on last years overall Friday night football average.

Zac Langdon of the Giants is tackled by Jason Johannisen of the Bulldogs.

The game reached 1.569 million nationally and 1.156 million in metro areas.

In Melbourne the coverage reached 636,000 people and an average audience of 3330,000.