With just over a week to go before the historic “Sydney Derby”, the Sydney Swans were busy training in readiness for the big clash at ANZ Stadium on March 24.

Whilst it will be the first time the Greater Western Sydney Giants will play for AFL premiership points, the Sydney Swans also have an important milestone this year. It will be 30 years since the club relocated from South Melbourne to the harbour city.

Both sides will be keen to capitalise with a victory on opening night. It will be intriguing to see just how this rivalry unfolds over time. The “Westies” in Sydney always feel the world is against them and are sure to provide solid support for the Giants. The Swans fans will look upon GWS as the young upstarts who are daring to take on the hard yards and groundwork that Sydney has laid down in terms of AFL acceptance.

The Sydney Swans and their 30 year achievement is something they should be very proud of.

1982 was a year of turmoil for South Melbourne / Sydney Swans when it moved to New South Wales. An historic club with proud traditions and the bearer of some legendary names such as Pratt, Nash, Cazaly, Bedford, Skilton, Teasdale, Clegg and Rantall looked like vanishing from the football world. Would the Sydney ‘experiment” be a failure? Yet over the years the club has held firm in its belief that one day it would find it’s feet in a complicated sporting environment.

It’s done that and some. The Sydney Swans survived the darkest of days, provided some brilliant footballers and Brownlow medallists. The rousing “Here It Is” statement from 2005 premiership coach Paul Roos will never be forgotten in this city. The club has also sought to restore the South Melbourne traditions and combine it with the growing legacy of the Sydney years. It has been done tastefully and respectfully. The “Lakeside” Oval remains in name across the road from the Swans home base of the SCG. Seeing the goalposts and the famous Centrepoint tower in the background illustrate just how integral this team has become in the Sydney sporting landscape.

And now a new chapter, with the Sydney Derby. The GWS Giants have benefitted from hindsight from the early Sydney years. They have in place experienced coaches in Kevin Sheedy and Mark Williams, they have received some choice draft picks and talent. The most important part of the puzzle for the Giants will be in how they earn respect and support from the folks in New South Wales. It is not going to be easy. The Swans are an excellent example of how they overcame adversity and isolation to be a respected footballing entity. The next instalment of Giants football should be just as interesting.

-Thanks to Jordan Laing, Sydney Swans Communications & Media Coordinator for Heath Grundy photo