It took the Sydney Swans – the first AFL venture in foreign territory – twenty four seasons to land their first premiership, so it is extremely unlikely the Gold Coast will claim theirs in five, as suggested by the club’s chairman John Witheriff.
But it does prompt the question: which of the two newcomers will win a premiership first, the Suns or the Giants?
Up until now the Gold Coast has had the air of the older, less talented sibling: using its experience to extract the most from its limited resources while the younger brother – brash and brimming with potential - bides his time before enbarking on a golden career.
The poor Gold Coast has been viewed as a bit of prototype for the Giants, with the AFL pinpointing teething problems experienced by the former and then attempting to avoid them with the latter.
Entering the “heartland” of rugby league and with the perfect marketing mouthpiece in Kevin Sheedy, the Giants stole the promotional show.
Both of the fledgling clubs struggled to attract quality experienced players due to the conservative nature of the code and the value given to club loyalty.
Of the two clubs, the Suns were the only one to pick up a genuine superstar in Gary Ablett, and also had a superior list of experienced players. GWS were forced to bring James McDonald, Luke Power, Dean Brogan and Chad Cornes out of retirement and to utilise McDonald and Power as playing assistant coaches.
The Giants, however, were given a huge basket of premium eggs at last year’s Draft comprising nine of the top fifteen selections which was topped up on Thursday with the best three of the 2012 Draft.
They are clearly building for a dominant future, whereas the Suns who had Draft picks thirteen, fifty-five, fifty-seven and fifty-eight don’t look as potent.
It seemed the Giants were going to surpass their predecessors immediately when they beat the Gold Coast comfortably in their first encounter. While it was nice to see the young team win their first match it was a little sad that it had to be at the expense of the almost forgotten Suns.
The Suns looked like becoming completely irrelevant before they turned things around a little. They only won three games, but they gained revenge on GWS in the return fixture and went close to defeating Fremantle and Geelong. Their spirits were also lifted when rugby league recruit Karmichael Hunt confirmed his status as a genuine footballer; unlike GWS’s equivalent Israel Folau.
With Kevin Sheedy’s incessant trumpeting of his team’s inevitable dominant future it was refreshing to hear from Witheriff even if his confidence and exuberance do not reflect the reality of his team’s prospects.
Of the two clubs you would have to say GWS is the best prepared for a tilt at a premiership but as the Swans found out, winning the first can be a long and difficult road.
Both clubs will need a strong dynamic coach before they are a threat. Both Sheedy and McKenna are good mentors but they must be replaced eventually by a coach like Leigh Matthews, Paul Roos or Mick Malthouse.
The best team of 2012 in Hawthorn couldn’t win the flag. Collingwood, the most consistent and talented team of the past four years didn’t make the Grand Final.
I think it will be some time yet before the new boys are in with a shot.
Article link: Central Coast Mariners vs Brisbane Roar: A-League live scores, blog. Written by Andrew Sutherland, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion
Roaring Hot
Yesterday's most commented articles
Wallabies vs Italy: Rugby Test live scores, blog [291 comments]
Wallabies hold off Italy for 22-19 win [152 comments]
Western Sydney Wanderers vs Melbourne Victory: A-League live scores, blog [97 comments]
Most read articles last 3 days
Wales vs All Blacks: Live score updates
Australia vs South Africa Test: live cricket scores (Day 2)
Wallabies vs Italy: Rugby Test live scores, blog