How Bondi institution The Depot has brought Sydney Swans and GWS Giants together

In stark contrast to what happens on the field, Sydney’s biggest AFL names have found common ground at one North Bondi hot spot – where coffee, steaks and footy gossip flow freely in rugby league heartland.

It’s the cafe on a corner that has become a Bondi institution, but The Depot’s links to Aussie rules has seen it become a haven for footy stars alike over the past two decades.

Whether it’s superstars of the past or current players putting their names up in lights, no request is too big or small for the cafe that loves its connection to the AFL world.

“Adam Goodes used to live up the road for many years, but Goodesy still gets the Goodesy treatment,” The Depot director Johnny Kelly said.

“He sends a text message, and he wants a table on a busy Saturday? Goodesy gets whatever Goodesy wants. He’s football royalty.”

Swans legend Adam Goodes will always have a table ready for him if needed at The Depot. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Over the years, The Depot has become Sydney’s very own demilitarised zone.

It’s no secret that the Swans and Giants don’t like each other on the field. They’ve shared some intense battles over the journey, none more so than last year’s incredible qualifying final at the SCG where Sydney came out on top.

However, in a two-team town, the players are always bound to run into each other. Whether it’s a night out or a morning dip at the beach, they’re well used to the feigned friendliness by now.

But at The Depot, it’s a chance to unwind. Since it first opened in 2008, the venue known for its perfect coffee and cracking menu has become a space for coaches, players, executives and agents alike to sit back and enjoy their morning brew.

And when the cafe moved to its new location on Warners Ave, that reputation has only continued to grow under the guidance of footy mad director, Johnny Kelly.

The Depot is a Bondi institution that has become a favourite haunt of Sydney’s AFL stars. Picture: Supplied

“The players have always come in since we were up the hill and that, but when they come in, they feel safe, and a lot of the crew have got to know them really well,” Kelly said.

“We don’t hassle them. There are some perks, you know, when you need tickets to the Derby, they can magically appear and things like that. But it’s all just a big family, a big mixing point of people.”

Kelly already had plenty of footy connections in his own life. Growing up in Albury, his uncle played for South Melbourne in the VFL, while his father was a solid player in the Ovens and Murray League. But eventually, his family decided to move up to Sydney and he learned quickly that Aussie rules was far from the dominant sport.

But as an avid North Melbourne supporter, he had to find other ways to satisfy his fandom. And the cafe quickly became the perfect avenue as famous faces began to trickle in since its inception.

“Whether it’s been the older statesmen of the clubs, you know the (Adam) Goodes, the Jarrad McVeighs and then on the GWS side, you’ve got (head of development) Jason Davenport and Big Jason (McCartney), the GM,” Kelly said. “They always come in, Jarrad and Jase’s kids all go across the road to school with our kids.

“But it’s building a relationship with them since they’ve always brought in. With GWS, all the team used to be out at Breakfast Point, and a few of the older statesmen used to live in Bondi, and over time they’ve all just migrated over this way.”

Part of the Sydney cafe culture is building up rapport over time. The ability to say, “The Usual” when ordering a coffee is a joy lost on no one.

But the sheer number of footy players that frequent The Depot means that it’s become more than just the express drinks. When the cafe eventually started trading in the evenings, their popular $20 steak night on a Thursday has been inundated with players keen to get their hit of protein for the day.

“Emma, our night manager, Finn (Callaghan) usually sends her a text, or Jason will be like, ‘The boys are coming in for steak night’,” Kelly said.

“They’ll pack out the place. It’s sort of turned into a whole almost team bonding session as well if they’re not playing on Thursday.

“Usually the whole table is packed with GWS boys, and then all of a sudden you’ve got a couple of the Swannies come in, you get a couple of the Roosters boys, even the Waratahs now as well.”

It’s not just the discounted dinners that draw a footy crowd to Bondi either. The Depot has become a popular meeting spot for important conversations between clubs, players and agents, with Matt Bain from TGI Sport formerly a frequent visitor.

Callaghan is the biggest visitor to The Depot, along with some of the coaches whose kids go to school across the road. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

The budding GWS superstar has handballed his hot chocolates as he slowly gets into his coffee. Picture: Brett Costello

“Matty is often around here, which is nice,” Kelly said. “You’ve got to get your feelers out.

“Sometimes you get the inside scoop of what’s going on, and then I’ll try to tee him up to send a few players down to North Melbourne.”

But as The Depot continues to grow in popularity, it will never forget its footy stronghold. Whether it’s signed Adam Goodes books in a corner, or some menu items potentially renamed in a player’s honour, Kelly loves the fact that he can provide a place where they can all unwind.

“Finn’s probably the most regular, but a lot of the Swans will come here especially if they’ve been down to the beach,” he said.

“Finn was drinking hot chocolate there for a while. Maybe we’ll have to rename it the Finn Cacao Hot Chocolate or something.

“Our biggest belief is if you look after community, community looks after you.”

Originally published as How Bondi institution The Depot has brought Sydney Swans and GWS Giants together