Steve Johnson’s bump on Lance Franklin showed GWS is no longer everyone’s second favourite team

ON Sunday there is still a bit of ‘everyone’s second favourite team’ about GWS, but that will end pretty quickly if they keep fighting back like this.

GWS Giants Steve Johnson bumps Sydney's Lance Franklin off the ball during the Round 12 game between GWS and Swans at Spotless Stadium, Homebush. Picture: Toby Zerna

IT was the moment of sporting theatre that inspired a rivalry to truly ignite.

When GWS veteran Steve Johnson was hammered spectacularly into the turf off the ball by Lance Franklin, he bounced straight back to his feet and gave the Swans big man a taste of his own medicine — a return shoulder charge that made the ground shake.

The message was clear that Sydney no longer belongs to the Swans.

A ground record crowd of 21,541 packed into Spotless Stadium on a picturesque night in Sydney, and even though more fans might have still been wearing red and white, the tide is turning fast.

Just ask Paul Waterhouse.

The Giants member on Sunday banked $100,000 in a kicking competition when he booted a Sherrin into the middle of a pile of tyres from 40 metres out to prompt the biggest cheer of the night.

Guess what? Waterhouse used to be a Swans fan.

It was brilliant three-quarter-time entertainment the NBA would be proud of, but all gimmicks aside it was Johnson that left the lasting impression on a heaving crowd out west.

Just like Queensland legend Arthur Beetson set State of Origin alight when he punched his Parramatta teammate but NSW foe Mick Cronin square in the face, Johnson showed that Sydney’s AFL derby means something more.

The moment Steve Johnson bumped Lance Franklin to the ground. Picture: Toby Zerna

Franklin’s standover tactics might work more times than not, but on Sunday the man who infamously snubbed GWS for Sydney, found out what it’s like to walk in the land of the Giants.

Sensing his lagging Swans needed an ego boost as half time approached; Franklin sized up Johnson and deliberately cannoned into him at a rate of knots, of course sending the smaller opponent flying.

But like David sizing up Goliath, Johnson climbed straight to his feet and charged at Franklin like a tracer bullet and sat the game’s most intimidating force on his backside with a thud.

The crowd were enthralled.

There is still a bit of ‘everyone’s second favourite team’ about GWS, but that will end pretty quickly if they keep fighting back like this.

In their 100th match in the AFL, GWS got a rare taste of what it’s like to play in front of a full house at home, and they relished every minute of it.

Johnson led from the front.

After his skirmish with Franklin, Johnson’s Giants teammates followed in waves and wouldn’t let the Swans star alone as tensions threatened to erupt.

Steve Johnson was outstanding in the win. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Kieren Jack took on Toby Greene and right on the buzzer of halftime Johnson put his money where his mouth was to kick a goal that fired the Giants into an almost unassailable position.

It was a curious atmosphere at times. It was a Giants home game, yet the crowd would boo a dud call against the Swans like it was the SCG.

But just ask the kids who flocked to Spotless yesterday whether they’ll be back, and potentially back in orange.

‘There’s a Giant in all of us’ is the slogan on the jumping castle at one end of the ground, and after years of mediocre crowds that sentiment is starting to ring true out west.

Out the back of the grandstands kids kicked football’s to each other and after fulltime thousands invaded the field doing the same.

The Giants have risen.