HOW THE GIANTS DWARFED THE SWANS
MARCH 2012 was a simpler time than March 2020. Harry Potter fans had just discovered The Hunger Games. Gotye was still somebody that we knew, the idea of Donald Trump being US President was just ludicrous and Ten had just revived Young Talent Time on TV.
There was another new young team on the scene, however, who were also exchanging ideas, thoughts and even energy.
On March 24, the GWS Giants made their AFL debut against the Sydney Swans at ANZ Stadium. Coached by Kevin Sheedy (and definitely not ex-Port Adelaide man Mark Williams), the hodgepodge of over-the-hill ex-guns, rising stars, future social media influencers and a controversial rugby player donned the orange and charcoal in front of 38,203 people.
It was the recognition of the AFL’s long-held dream to establish a second Sydney-based club, a dream that had once been entertained by North Melbourne, who played home matches in the city from 1999 to 2002 before venturing to Canberra and later the Gold Coast. A truly bizarre concept known as the ‘Sydney Celtics’ also emerged towards the end of the 2000s, which would aimed to capitalise on the increasing number of Irish import players.
The Giants' first season on the field was everything you’d expect it to be. The side won only two matches, one against fellow newbies Gold Coast Suns and the other against a lowly Port Adelaide outfit, whose coach Matthew Primus was sacked following the defeat.
Nick Haynes was the club’s seventh pick in the previous year’s draft. The defender didn’t play in the first match but says there was never any concerns about the club’s on-field direction.
“It would’ve been nice to play [the first game] but I was a
