AFL Fixture 2020: GWS Giants and Sydney Swans confident in new AFL fixture
Sam Jacobs knows what it’s like to lose a Grand Final — he went through it in 2017 with Adelaide and the Crows haven’t been the same since. He says that won’t happen at GWS. Here’s why.
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Giants new boy Sam Jacobs is confident there will be no damaging hangover from the club’s gut-wrenching 89-point grand final defeat by Richmond as Leon Cameron’s men strive to go one better in 2020.
And across town at the Swans there is a real hunger to have a serious crack following last season’s failure to make the finals.
The Giants’ senior players report back on December 2 to begin preparations for the round one opener against Geelong at Giants Stadium.
But the club isn’t expecting pre-season to be taken up with lifting spirits following the September shellacking at the MCG.
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Jacobs, 31, was part of the Adelaide side thumped by Richmond in the 2017 grand final. The following season saw the Crows slump to 12th on the ladder.
“I went through that in 2017 with the Crows,” he told The Daily Telegraph.
“I guess we didn’t deal with it in the best way. Learning from those experiences, hopefully I can add some leadership in that sort of area. But everyone I’ve spoken to (at the Giants) seems to be taking it the right way. You’ve really got to look at it as being a springboard to having sustained success going forward.”
The grand final rematch with Richmond arrives in round seven at the MCG. The teams meet again at Giants Stadium in round 15.
“We’re pleased to be able to secure five twilight Saturday games at Giants Stadium, which is the preferred slot for our members and supporters,” Giants CEO David Matthews said.
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The Swans travel to the Crows in round one before John Longmire’s men return home to face Joe Daniher and Essendon at the SCG on Friday March 21 (7.50pm).
Daniher sought to be traded to the Swans but the two clubs failed to thrash out a deal during the recent trade period.
“From a fans perspective and a footy perspective to have a big drawing traditional club to open our home season on a Friday night is a terrific outcome,” Swans CEO Tom Harley told The Daily Telegraph.
“That’s got my primary attention more so than who might be playing.
“I think where we’ve landed with regards to the diversity within the fixture, quality opposition in Sydney and also diversity within the timeslots of home games is a great outcome.”
The Essendon clash comes a week after a ODI international against New Zealand but Harley is confident a busy summer of cricket won’t be a problem for the club’s preparations.
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“We look forward to a fantastic surface for us and have absolute confidence in the SCG to deliver a pristine playing surface for our first home game against the Bombers,” he said.
The first Sydney derby will be a round 5 clash at the SCG with the Giants hosting their cross-town rivals in round 19.
“When you’re in competition, regardless of whether it’s the Giants or any other grand finalist there should be an element of envy when you see the two teams line up,” Harley said.
“It’s a genuine rivalry, there’s a hell of a lot of mutual respect between the two clubs. “When you’re talking about the growth of the game in Sydney and more broadly NSW having Sydney teams competitive on the national stage is really important. “They’re ahead of us at the moment but we all start zero-zero at round one next year and we look forward to having a crack at it.”