18 November 2010

Your footy team is called the Giants

| johnboy
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[First filed: Nov 16, 2010 @ 15:17]

32525386 from GWS Giants on Vimeo.

The Herald Sun informs us that Canberra’s new AFL team are going to be called “The Giants” and have a rather dull looking jersey with a big G on it.

I’m not sure what the Canberra component of that jersey is.

UPDATE: The ABC has picked up on the missing “Canberra component”. Apparently it’s going somewhere on the back later.

There’s now a GWS Giants website

GWS Giants Jersey

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bunyips?

bindis?

dingoes?

Tooks said :

What’s wrong with having a nickname that is uniquely Australian? There are so many interesting options to choose from.

‘Interesting’ doesn’t get bums on seats and kids bugging the hell out of parents for a new jumper every Xmas.

Tooks said :

What’s wrong with having a nickname that is uniquely Australian? There are so many interesting options to choose from.

Shagging Matildas…

What’s wrong with having a nickname that is uniquely Australian? There are so many interesting options to choose from.

Kerryhemsley3:32 pm 18 Nov 10

Ever get the feeling you’ve been cheated? Good night!

(John Lydon Winterland Theater, San Francisco, California (14 January 1978))

colourful sydney racing identity2:44 pm 18 Nov 10

Erg0 said :

sepi said :

Yellow and Green could have worked – noone else has green I think.

The Dockers had a green element, but I think they’ve dropped it for next season.

Yep – they have gone for purple and white which looks much better.

I was personally disappointed that the Gold Coast weren’t the Gold Coast Schoolies…

Holden Caulfield1:35 pm 18 Nov 10

Listeners of the Coodabeen Champions radio show will vouch for the fact that “the Ravens” has already been taken by Adelaide. 😛

sepi said :

Yellow and Green could have worked – noone else has green I think.

The Dockers had a green element, but I think they’ve dropped it for next season.

Legless lizards?

Might not be worth the jokes after the first players drunk in public photos hit twitter.

The news is saying that Richmond are going to complain, as the jumpers look too much like theirs.

Yellow and Green could have worked – noone else has green I think.

Redbacks would have been good as a name except they would look like Essendon in the jumpers.

They could have been the Bluetongues, with grey and skyblue, or the Ravens.

reckon the guernsey will change again for their admission to the AFL in 2012, and whatever they settle on for next year will be ‘foundation year heritage’ gear
because they sure are crap.

Hopefully they will rename themselves as well because the Giants is embarrassing. Wolves led the popular vote, but ffs its also lucklustre.
I like the Bogongs – they could get a Japanese sponsor and have MOTHRA as a totem!
I suggested:
GWS HOODs
WS FUNNELWEBS
Suburban WASTELANDERS
WS COMMANDOS
and I only mention it now because all of the above are more interesting than the Giants.
Liked the CTimes suggesting the bushrangers or Bankers after the motza ACT Govt is paying. There is a substantial(?) code development package tied to this deal which is good news for parents of kids that have necks.

As for an away guensey having completely different colours is just wrong. Especially when they are trying to build interest in Sydney, have already signed up to play several home games at Manuka peeving the bejeezus outa their few WS fans.

Seriously, just slap a GIANT flagpole on the back of the guensey – may as well leave it there for all their games, as it will look great.

hopefully, after 10 yrs they just move to Canberra permenantly and rename as the Kapitals!

You’d have thought the colours, blue, sky blue and yellow would have featured as its a combination of NSW and ACT colours. But its those stupid marketing folk that ruin everything.

They did the same thing to the Western Force in the Super Rugby, because really with the Brumbies and NSW wearing blue strips, plus several overseas teams, what the Western Force really needed was a blue strip also. Meanwhile their away strip is perfectly fine…..

Giants? Yes.
GWS? No.
Colours? Hmmm.
Jumpers? The three-colour strip has potential. The other one’s a complete non-starter. Sky blue away strip sounds OK. No idea what Canberra element they’ll add in.

Membership details are meant to be in the mail for us ACT4GWS suckers. Let’s see what’s on offer…

So for that cash the ACT Government (and community) get a vague mention in ‘across three playing zones absolutely zippo in Community Relations – UWS and Blacktown City Council do.

‘ACT’ in their search system finds: There were no search results. Please try using more general terms to get more results.

$26 million and not even a photo opportunity? Government has been sliced and taken for a ride by the business of the AFL. Upside at least they won’t find an excuse to sell Manuka Oval to developers for a while.

Rawhide Kid Part36:37 pm 17 Nov 10

Ripped Off !!!

How about the GWS Bogongs

I’d vote, but I couldn’t find the “I couldn’t give a flying fsck – give me my money back” button.

screaming banshee5:31 pm 17 Nov 10

[G]iant(s) [W]aste of [S]ports funding?

Frustrated said :

Waiting For Godot said :

I don’t what rock you crawled up from under, but last I checked Australian Rules has been around alot longer than the bum sniffers sport that was a bastardised of another code called Rugger. Fringe sport? Get a clue!

I seemm to recall when arriving from Melbourne in 1981, that Aussie Rules was on an almost equal footing, support wise with the Rugby codes in Canberra and the Raiders didn’t exist.

My tax dollars seem to go towards two local teams I have interest in supporting, so suck it sunshine.

You can crawl back under that rock again now!

Classic! Are all fumble ball supporters as dumb as this?

Holden Caulfield4:53 pm 17 Nov 10

sumarai said :

I had a look at the team..looks like they have the under 21 side worked out

They’ll be getting a free hit at a handful or more of senior players from the other clubs (one uncontracted player per club maximum), much the same as the Gary Ablett Jr “recruitment” employed by the Gold Coast Suns.

That should have read “and this team must be laughing all the way to a bank over the border”

Investing in this team was a complete and utter waste of our money by Barr and onlhe bank.

Barr, you are a tool! As a traditional labor voter I can’t wait to see the back of you!

Kerryhemsley4:08 pm 17 Nov 10

sepi said :

Is there anything at all that is common between Canberra and Western Sydney? I can’t think of a thing.

Burbs, shopping malls, mcmansions

Ian said :

GWS Bogans?

Perfect.

I had a look at the team..looks like they have the under 21 side worked out

Is there anything at all that is common between Canberra and Western Sydney? I can’t think of a thing.

Kerryhemsley1:02 pm 17 Nov 10

p1 said :

Was it beyond them to come up with a name that either had regional meaning? Or at least picked an animal which hasn’t been used before?

The Plasma Tv’s, Veal Parmigianas, Holden Commodores, Winnie Blues, Shaved Head and Goatee Beards, Golden Arches.

The Singlet looks all right to me (how can it be a jumper without sleeves???), but the name is terrible. Was it beyond them to come up with a name that either had regional meaning? Or at least picked an animal which hasn’t been used before?

Giants is a name which must have been used to death in every sport in the world at all levels already.

blue eyes said :

Yawn.

What font is that?

The one with the white G on the grey background isn’t completely horrible. I don’t like the one with the G in the middle at all.

For the Canberra connection, they are going to wear a brown cardigan over the top of their jumpers.

amarooresident39:29 am 17 Nov 10

I’m a Collingwood member but I will purchase membership for the Giants. At least we have a long term commitment to the ACT rather than the fly by night dogs/kangaroos deals in the past.

Go Giants – except against the Midy Pize!!

Holden Caulfield said :

Tooks said :

jersey

— n
1. a knitted garment covering the upper part of the body
2. a. a machine-knitted slightly elastic cloth of wool, silk, nylon, etc, used for clothing
b. ( as modifier ): a jersey suit
3. a football shirt

You can quote dictionary references all you like, the fact remains it’s a NSW/League thing to use the term jersey, and it just sounds wrong when referring to AFL. A bit like AFL has umpires, and most other footy codes have referees. Sure, it means the same thing, roughly speaking, but it sounds wrong to call an AFL umpire a ref and vice versa.

Guernsey or jumper are definitely the more common terms to describe Aussie Rules playing attire.

Meh, certainly not worth arguing over, I guess 🙂

Punter said :

The impact this GWS will have on Canberra is far greater than satisfying the spectators. I have been led to believe the presence of the GWS will boost the focus on junior AFL in the region which is greatly under valued here in the nations capital. My son has just finished his first season of junior AFL, a sport which I admit I have not followed as closely as other codes in years gone by. But, being the type of parent who wants to see his offspring enjoy (and not just excel) at his given choice of sport, I understand supporting this team will have benefits for our community far beyond merely putting bums on seats at Manuka for, was it three times a year? If this causes the AFL to inject desperately needed funding into junior AFL in Canberra, then it is all worth while. Go the Giants!!!

You are correct. I know of a couple of kids who are in development squads supported by GWS…

The impact this GWS will have on Canberra is far greater than satisfying the spectators. I have been led to believe the presence of the GWS will boost the focus on junior AFL in the region which is greatly under valued here in the nations capital. My son has just finished his first season of junior AFL, a sport which I admit I have not followed as closely as other codes in years gone by. But, being the type of parent who wants to see his offspring enjoy (and not just excel) at his given choice of sport, I understand supporting this team will have benefits for our community far beyond merely putting bums on seats at Manuka for, was it three times a year? If this causes the AFL to inject desperately needed funding into junior AFL in Canberra, then it is all worth while. Go the Giants!!!

Waiting For Godot said :

Oh god, “The Giants”! Perhaps the name refers to the amount of money we are paying to bring them here. I seem to recall a rugby league team in the mid 1990s called the Gold Coast Giants. The name was a disaster as was the jersey which featured shades of black, silver and white. Within a year or so the jersey and name was dumped and the team became the Gold Coast Seagulls with a new jersey.

Given the appalling lack of support the local aerial ping-pong brigade give to their sport, is it really wise to be spending three quarters of a million dollars of taxpayers money PER GAME to be bringing this fringe sport to town and have them play in front of rows of empty seats at Manuka Oval.

At the last election many people were reluctant to vote Andrew Barr out of the Assembly for fear of being labelled homophobic. But I’m afraid he’s really gone off the planet with this GWS misadventure, and many are wondering whether he still is still up to the task and whether someone new should be given a go.

I don’t what rock you crawled up from under, but last I checked Australian Rules has been around alot longer than the bum sniffers sport that was a bastardised of another code called Rugger. Fringe sport? Get a clue!

I seemm to recall when arriving from Melbourne in 1981, that Aussie Rules was on an almost equal footing, support wise with the Rugby codes in Canberra and the Raiders didn’t exist.

My tax dollars seem to go towards two local teams I have interest in supporting, so suck it sunshine.

You can crawl back under that rock again now!

Holden Caulfield9:32 pm 16 Nov 10

Waiting For Godot said :

…Given the appalling lack of support the local aerial ping-pong brigade give to their sport, is it really wise to be spending three quarters of a million dollars of taxpayers money PER GAME to be bringing this fringe sport to town and have them play in front of rows of empty seats at Manuka Oval…

Haha, spot the bum sniffer feeling a bit jealous/threatened.

johnboy said :

well we’re certainly paying for them!

Well I am paying for the Raiders and Brumbies too, do I get a choice in that!

Growling Ferret9:31 pm 16 Nov 10

Yuk and yuk. Boring name, boring logo, horrid colours.

And yet I may have to find it in myself to still support the team.

Holden Caulfield9:26 pm 16 Nov 10

Tooks said :

jersey

— n
1. a knitted garment covering the upper part of the body
2. a. a machine-knitted slightly elastic cloth of wool, silk, nylon, etc, used for clothing
b. ( as modifier ): a jersey suit
3. a football shirt

You can quote dictionary references all you like, the fact remains it’s a NSW/League thing to use the term jersey, and it just sounds wrong when referring to AFL. A bit like AFL has umpires, and most other footy codes have referees. Sure, it means the same thing, roughly speaking, but it sounds wrong to call an AFL umpire a ref and vice versa.

Guernsey or jumper are definitely the more common terms to describe Aussie Rules playing attire.

Tooks said :

Holden Caulfield said :

Jersey? It’s called a guernsey FFS, haha! Next you’ll be referring to the change rooms as dressing sheds. The NRL caters for such idioms, AFL does not.

I always understood the Canberra element on the guernsey was only ever going to be limited to a small Coat of Arms or other discreet reference.

jersey

— n
1. a knitted garment covering the upper part of the body
2. a. a machine-knitted slightly elastic cloth of wool, silk, nylon, etc, used for clothing
b. ( as modifier ): a jersey suit
3. a football shirt

Guern·sey

noun, 1. Isle of, one of the Channel Islands, in the English Channel. With adjacent islands: 51,138; 24 1 / 2 sq. mi. (63 sq. km).
2. one of a breed of dairy cattle, raised originally on the Isle of Guernsey, producing rich, golden-tinted milk.
3. ( lowercase ) a close-fitting knitted woolen shirt worn by sailors and soccer or Rugby players.

Historically it is referred to as a guernsey for AFL players. Although, these days it is normally referred to as a jumper.

I do agree with you that the jumper shown on the news site is the ugliest thing ever, it looks very similar to the old hideous one that Brisbane Bears wore back in 1989, but then they often register multiple trademarks most of which never get used.

The name the “Giants” is a bit meh, I think they could have come up with something a bit more original. The GWS name was just a project name, I expect they will drop the “Greater” part.

Having the team play here is much more likely to succeed rather than having a team like the Kangaroos doing it to scrape some cash out of the bottom of the barrel.

Waiting For Godot5:35 pm 16 Nov 10

Oh god, “The Giants”! Perhaps the name refers to the amount of money we are paying to bring them here. I seem to recall a rugby league team in the mid 1990s called the Gold Coast Giants. The name was a disaster as was the jersey which featured shades of black, silver and white. Within a year or so the jersey and name was dumped and the team became the Gold Coast Seagulls with a new jersey.

Given the appalling lack of support the local aerial ping-pong brigade give to their sport, is it really wise to be spending three quarters of a million dollars of taxpayers money PER GAME to be bringing this fringe sport to town and have them play in front of rows of empty seats at Manuka Oval.

At the last election many people were reluctant to vote Andrew Barr out of the Assembly for fear of being labelled homophobic. But I’m afraid he’s really gone off the planet with this GWS misadventure, and many are wondering whether he still is still up to the task and whether someone new should be given a go.

sepi said :

And how will the part-time canberra jumper work – a big C instead of a big G.

Funny, because I think a bunch of Big C’s describes this team exactly.

Holden Caulfield said :

Jersey? It’s called a guernsey FFS, haha! Next you’ll be referring to the change rooms as dressing sheds. The NRL caters for such idioms, AFL does not.

I always understood the Canberra element on the guernsey was only ever going to be limited to a small Coat of Arms or other discreet reference.

jersey

— n
1. a knitted garment covering the upper part of the body
2. a. a machine-knitted slightly elastic cloth of wool, silk, nylon, etc, used for clothing
b. ( as modifier ): a jersey suit
3. a football shirt

G for Giulia?

Holden Caulfield4:25 pm 16 Nov 10

Chaz said :

…when we’re hoping in the near future to get our own team…

Who is we and on what planet are you on if you think a permanent AFL team in Canberra is ever going to be a reality in the “near future” (which I assume to mean 5-10 years).

Holden Caulfield4:21 pm 16 Nov 10

Jersey? It’s called a guernsey FFS, haha! Next you’ll be referring to the change rooms as dressing sheds. The NRL caters for such idioms, AFL does not.

I always understood the Canberra element on the guernsey was only ever going to be limited to a small Coat of Arms or other discreet reference.

Clearly they didn’t waste too much of our $26m on thinking up that name and designing that jersey. About $10 I would think.

Checking back, Andrew Barr’s exact words were: “Our ownership will be reflected in an ACT-appointment to the Board, a permanent reference to our community on the team’s jumper, and perhaps most significantly, a specifically stylised match-day jumper for home games at Manuka Oval from 2012.”

I guess “a permanent reference to our community” could take many forms.

johnboy said :

well we’re certainly paying for them!

this is true…i don’t see why they’re drumming up so much support for GWS in Canberra when we’re hoping in the near future to get our own team. Then we’ll have to try doubly hard to get those who now support GWS

Crap name (GWS), crap and unoriginal nickname, and crap jersey. Off to a good start.

colourful sydney racing identity4:03 pm 16 Nov 10

Any chance the jumper and name that will be unveiled tonight will be different?

And btw Kerryhemsley, its Sheeds not Kev.

Kerryhemsley3:53 pm 16 Nov 10

Canberra you/we have been had.

At least 5,000 Canberrans have been conned anyway.

Well done Kev!

Maybe it’ll be in the form of a sponsor-type logo, similar to the “Tasmania” on the Hawks’ jumpers.

Incidentally, if they were going for a “bold, imaginative” name then they might have tried picking one that wasn’t already in use by two major US sports teams, one of which just won the baseball World Series (and has an orange/dark blue colour scheme).

OK – that jersey is ugly as.

And haven’t hawthorne and richmond already got the yellow – brown/black combo going on.

And how will the part-time canberra jumper work – a big C instead of a big G.

Does anyone actually identify with Greater Western Sydney – would anyone say that is where they come from?

I think this is totally designed by committee stuff.

I would have called them the Polar Bears and had a pale blue jersey with a white V neck.

johnboy said :

My recollection is there was talk about having a “canberra element” in the regular jersey.

A doughnut with dashed lines in the middle of the doughnut ring?

They are going to wear a different jumper in Canberra. Which is even wierder I think. LIke having time share in a football team.

My recollection is there was talk about having a “canberra element” in the regular jersey.

canberra’s new afl team? i believe it’s west. sydney. canberra are still without a team and playing 3 home games here does not qualify

well we’re certainly paying for them!

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