Prediction GWS THE FUTURE

[PaythePerryman]

It's a little concerning.

We're supposed to be Greater Western Sydney, not Inner Western Sydney.

I think it's great for the W if we play Henson and the Swans play North Sydney.

BISP has zero vibe ATM. Until we can play at Tom Wills I think it's the right move. I'd imagine the players much prefer it too.

Are there any other ovals west that would work? Anything in Parra?

 

[Giant Pete]

It's a little concerning.

We're supposed to be Greater Western Sydney, not Inner Western Sydney.

We have to continue to build in the western suburbs. Embrace the different cultures. Play the long game… it looks the long term plan infrastructure-wise will suit us down to the ground (pun intended).

 

[Giant YoYo]

I prefer Henson despite BISP being much closer as I can make an afternoon out of Henson.

I can't do the same for BISP. It's essentially a go to and leave destination which really let's it down for me. Whereas we go for food or drinks nearby before or after at Henson.

I mean, I'll go to either if games are on but if there's others that won't go to BISP for similar reasons I wouldn't hold it against them.

 

[Land of the Giants]

Abandoning a venue in Blacktown for a venue in Marrickville will not help our cause in Sydney's west.

 

[PaythePerryman]

I hear you and agree we should play out west but playing at a soulless ground with nothing to do in the surrounds is also not going to help our cause in Sydney's west.
It's a similar issue that we have at Olympic park. You can't go to Dinner then the game....or go to a pub after with mates...
It's straight to the spot....watch game....leave.
If we want to bring in a youth audience. Or young adults...that's not going to cut it.

An oval close to Parra is the key I think.

I also think you can manufacture that at the Club itself and it'll become something quite unique and special.

I don't think it's Henson v BISP. I think it's Henson v whatever we can find next

 

[GWS Goose]

Henson park is a terrific venue that lends itself to a day out
I go to a couple league games a year there just because it Henson .
It's an easy sugar shot solution.
Long term they are better playing further West.
Old Kings has a great vibe and suitable for the small crowds. Doesn't have the entertainment around it like Hendon though.

 

[Giant YoYo]

I hear you and agree we should play out west but playing at a soulless ground with nothing to do in the surrounds is also not going to help our cause in Sydney's west.
It's a similar issue that we have at Olympic park. You can't go to Dinner then the game....or go to a pub after with mates...
It's straight to the spot....watch game....leave.
If we want to bring in a youth audience. Or young adults...that's not going to cut it.

An oval close to Parra is the key I think.

I also think you can manufacture that at the Club itself and it'll become something quite unique and special.

I don't think it's Henson v BISP. I think it's Henson v whatever we can find next

Totally agree.

BISP is far too out of sight and out of mind for me. It's unfortunate but it really is.

Fields/stadiums need to tie in the surrounding area/region in some way to have the best chance of being successful.

Walking to or being in the area around Henson Park, you know a game is on, I can't say the same for my experience with BISP, which is a shame.

It's a struggle to play at a venue where you can't build a presence in the surrounding area before and after games and IMO, we need to build presence.

I struggle to see how a drive to for the game and go home location immediately after will do that for us. We have a similar issue at Olympic Park but the potential of Olympic Park is huge and yet to be realised, and will likely change well before BISP.

The BISP precinct as a sports precinct is a great. The lack of much around lets it down.

Western Sydney is important though the lack of available fields in strategic locations that tie in the surrounding area to support and foster growth is going to be an ongoing issue, IMO.

Parramatta is a great suggestion but I can't see it getting up anytime soon.

Old Kings Oval is dual use with the primary tenant being cricket, given that cricket is being played closer to year round out west I'd be surprised if that was an option but happy to be corrected. I'd like to see goal posts go up (and I'm sure the AFL would, too) first before seriously considering it as an option.

Tom Wills Oval is the future and I take some comfort in knowing the club will have access to it year round and when required.

 

[Canberra Pear]

I don't know Sydney too well, but what about Bankstown Oval as a potential AFLW replacement for BISP/Henson?

There's supposedly 5k capacity. Mostly on the hill, but that includes 1500 in a covered grandstand.

It's 11km west of Henson Park, so much more in the actual west.

It's hosted Sheffield Shield matches, one-dayers, and women's Ashes matches, so it's hosted some somewhat high-level content.

It's probably not as attractive as Marrickville, but it's an eight-minute walk from Bankstown Station, and close to Bankstown restaurants and pubs.

Probably needs a few upgrades, portaloos, foodtrucks etc, but could be an option west of Henson Park.

 

[dlanod]

Abandoning a venue in Blacktown for a venue in Marrickville will not help our cause in Sydney's west.

Agreeing with the other posters here - Henson Park isn't a solution, but it's a better one than BISP at the moment. The AFLW getting under a thousand people at BISP does more damage to any attempt to build it into a supported team than west v inner west.

I'd be curious if there's anything around Bankstown way - that's going to open up more with the Metro and already linked west, as well as feeling more organic. Parramatta is the best but I think that's been combed over already.

 

[Land of the Giants]

AFL in Bankstown would be a shock to the system...

 

[Canberra Pear]

Bankstown Oval actually gives me North Sydney vibes.

 

[Land of the Giants]

At the risk of sounding like Pauline Hanson, there would be negligible support for AFL in Bankstown, which, as Paul Keating once famously said, is like Saigon on side of the road, and Beirut on the other.

Most people in Bankstown wouldn't even know what AFL is.

 

[Canberra Pear]

At the risk of sounding like Pauline Hanson, there would be negligible support for AFL in Bankstown, which, as Paul Keating once famously said, is like Saigon on side of the road, and Beirut on the other.

Most people in Bankstown wouldn't even know what AFL is.

But in terms of accessibility, would it still be easier to get to than BISP? And a better experience with food and drinks than BISP? May not attract many from Bankstown, but it might bring in more people in than BISP would.

And optically, it looks better than the Giants playing at Henson Park, only 6km west of the SCG.

 

[dlanod]

At the risk of sounding like Pauline Hanson, there would be negligible support for AFL in Bankstown, which, as Paul Keating once famously said, is like Saigon on side of the road, and Beirut on the other.

Most people in Bankstown wouldn't even know what AFL is.

Fair points, but you also said:

"Abandoning a venue in Blacktown for a venue in Marrickville will not help our cause in Sydney's west."

I think BISP has proven it's not a real solution. It's in the west but 500-800 people at games is awful - it's got the same "no one around is into AFL" as Bankstown but it's harder to get to and duller. Henson Park at least addresses two of the three. Maybe Bankstown addresses two of the three while also being in the west.

But ultimately I think it's clear the club is banking on Tom Wills becoming that option, regardless of our fun speculation.

 

[Land of the Giants]

...it's got the same "no one around is into AFL" as Bankstown...

At least people in Blacktown know what AFL is, even if they're not really into it.

Most people in Bankstown would say "oh, that's something for the Australians".

 

[Colonial]

At least people in Blacktown know what AFL is, even if they're not really into it.

Most people in Bankstown would say "oh, that's something for the Australians".

Yes and no.
AFL is mainstream, have to have no tv or social media to not know what it is and who the Giants are.
Now I’ve seen their oval it is a nice suburban ground.