Giant support from fans as GWS head to MCG to tackle Richmond in AFL decider

Sydney is rallying to support the GWS Giants as the AFL underdogs prepare for the biggest day in the club’s history. Find everything you need to know in our fan guide.

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They might not have the same fan base as Richmond but if these youngsters from Winston Hills Public School are any indication the GWS Giants have some of the most passionate, colourful and loudest fans in the game.

Fan Trent Seymour, 11, travelled to Melbourne last weekend to see the Giants beat Collingwood for their spot in the season decider.

“It was an amazing game. I had my beanie over my eyes I was so nervous,’’ he said.

“There were 75,000 people there. It was so loud.’’

GWS Giants fans (front) Sienna Rudd and (back) Alex Vickers, Lachlan Vickers, Trent Seymour and Nicholas Decelis at Winston Hills Public School. Picture: Monique Harmer.

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Trent, who has been a supporter since 2014, is predicting a close encounter with Richmond.

“I reckon it will be really close but the Giants will get there by 10 or less,’’ he forecast.

Trent’s school plays in the Castle Hill PSSA competition and Girls AFL gala day.

“The AFL is really popular here, the kids love it,’’ said school AFL co-ordinator Lisa Moses.

“The support for grassroots and from the GWS Giants is really seeing it take off.’’

Someone who has been at the forefront of building support for the game in western Sydney is Giants ambassador Amna Karra Hassan.

The 31-year-old from Auburn is the founder of the all-women Auburn Giants Australian Football Club. For Hassan, a GWS Giants flag would mean more than just a sporting milestone.

Giants Phil Davis with fans during the AFL Preliminary Final match against the Collingwood Magpies.

Amna Karra Hassan is a GWS Giants ambassador and founder of the all-women Auburn Giants Australian Football Club. Picture: Monique Harmer

“I honestly believe winning a flag would be so significant for western Sydney,” she said. “When (the GWS Giants) started, most communities around this region didn’t really get Aussie rules. But the growth (since then) has been huge. Let’s give the people of western Sydney a reason to celebrate. Let’s give them a reason to come out of their homes, onto the streets and coming together as a community.”

With her ticket, accommodation and flight to Melbourne already booked, Karra Hassan is expecting a grand final clash for the ages.

“I hope that all the things that need to fall into place do for the boys,” she said. “I hope that, win or lose, they play their best footy and … leave it all out on the field.”

While thousands of GWS fans are expected to make the pilgrimage to Melbourne for Saturday’s match those staying will turn Sydney Olympic Park into a sea of orange support.

Giants members and fans are invited to a live site for the match at Cathy Freeman Park to watch the game on the big screen.

Fans are encouraged to bring a picnic rug and some chairs, wear orange and be in full battle cry from 12pm.

Giants Jeremy Cameron was in top form against Collingwood.

Winners! The Giants Jeremy Finlayson celebrates a goal during the match against Collingwood.

Excitement is mounting for the Giants, who didn’t play their first premiership match until 2012, ahead of their first grand final.

Based in Sydney’s west, the Giants have survived and thrived on traditional rugby league turf and home to NRL teams such as the Parramatta Eels, the Canterbury Bulldogs, West Tigers and Penrith Panthers.

The Giants team will be named Thursday night with the final team to take the field confirmed 90 minutes before the bounce.

FAST FACTS

2019 AFL Grand Final

Richmond v Giants

September 28 at 2:30pm, MCG

Bounce: 2:30pm

TRAINING

The Giants will hold and open training session at the MCG on Friday.

This is the last chance for Giants members and fans to see the players before they face Richmond in the grand final. Starting at 9:30am, the light training session will take place before the grand final parade.

All Giants members and fans are welcome to attend with entry available through gate one from 9:15am. Entry is free.

LIVE SITE AT SYDNEY OLYMPIC PARK

The Live Site is at Cathy Freeman Park in Sydney Olympic Park.

Here fans can watch the match on a big screen.

MORE NEWS

GRAND FINAL PRE-MATCH ENTERTAINMENT

Singer-songwriter Paul Kelly heads up an All-Australian line-up.

Dean Lewis and Tones & I will also perform while John Williamson AM will sing Waltzing Matilda and Mike Brady will perform Up There Cazaly.

ARIA-winning artist Conrad Sewell will perform the nation anthem.