By Nick Newling and Frances Howe
Two pubs, both alike in dignity, in fair Sydney where we lay our scene.
Sydney was once unified under a single AFL banner, but in 2012 the Giants invaded from the west and carved the city in two. Swans territory retreated to the glittering coastline and a bitter rivalry was sparked that will burn bright when the two sides meet in a qualifying final at the SCG on Saturday.
Giants fans flock to the Hudson Hotel in Seven Hills as the pub gears up for the Sydney derby.Credit: Wolter Peeters
At the Hudson Hotel in Seven Hills, Ben Waters — general manager and diehard Greater Western Sydney supporter — moulded his venue into a Giants stronghold after growing tired of the team not having a home in the west.
“You’d either be watching it at home or you’d have to go to find a Swans venue to go watch it at because there wouldn’t be anywhere else,” said Waters.
Now the transformation of the pub has created a territory where any Swans fan that might want to sit down for a pint will need to make sure “they’re undercover”.
The rift between the teams is so strong, says Waters’, that even his own Swans supporting mother would “never be caught dead in a GWS pub”.
Another GWS superfan, Michelle Burns, 49, has been to the Hudson Hotel to watch the Giants play, and said the energy in the room was unparalleled. “Just the euphoria when you’re with a group of other people who are supporting and you’re winning ... suddenly, you’re hugging and high-fiving a complete stranger.”
The Dolphin offers a specialty cocktail, the Swan Song Spritz, to visitors on game days.Credit: Wolter Peeters
Across town at the Dolphin Hotel in Surry Hills, game days bring swarms of Swans fans who flock to the pub to purchase discounted drinks if wearing red and white. The only person you won’t see backing the Bloods is senior duty manager Sammy Sirianni.
“I do not wear other people’s jerseys. I’m a Carlton man through and through,” said Sirianni, who played for the Preston Bullants before his move to Sydney.
“Years ago one of the bosses bought us all a [Swans] scarf each, and I said ‘If you give me that scarf I’m going to hang you with it.’”
The Dolphin, an upscale pub that serves wood-fired pizzas and a speciality game day cocktail, the Swan Song Spritz, is synonymous with Surry Hills. It’s also become a favourite haunt of the opposing team.
“I think I get more GWS players than Swans players to be honest,” said Sirianni, “they’re always in and out. I’ve got the captain Toby Greene in, he’s a regular. Steve Coniglio, he’s a regular, Lachie Keeffe. They have their meetings here sometimes, the board meetings.”
Sirianni says the pub is preparing for business to go “through the roof” when the Swans meet the Giants, and while crowds will be in high spirits, revellers tend to behave themselves: “You’ll get one or two that’s a character, but that’s footy!”
“It’s a derby. Let’s face it, there’s no love lost between them. They don’t like each other, which is great because that’s what a derby should be.”
Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.