AFL world calls out GWS Giants after pre-game act towards Sydney Swans backfires
The GWS Giants have been called out for a rather 'tacky' banner in their Battle of the Bridge loss to the Sydney Swans on the weekend. Sydney put on arguably their best performance of the season so far having rediscovered their form to defeat their city rivals 12.15 (87) to 10.13 (73) in front of 39,260 fans at the SCG.
Dean Cox was under pressure heading into the derby, but the Swans came out with plenty of ferocity to start the game as the players went at each other from the opening siren. However, the GWS' team banner also caught the attention of AFL and Sydney fans ahead of the game.
GWS' social media and banner game is considered one of the best in the business, but not everyone felt like their dig at the Swans hit the target. The Giants ran through a banner that read: "We lost a GF, that wasn't nice. You got smashed, not once but twice."
This was an obvious dig at the Swans' last two grand final appearances with the latest coming last year. The Brisbane Lions hammered the Sydney Swans by 60 points in 2024, which marked John Longmire's last game in charge. In 2022, the Geelong Cats won a blowout final against the Swans by 81 points.
While the Giants were taking a dig at the Swans' disappointment, it's fair to say many felt like it missed the mark. Fans argued at least the Swans made the grand final last year having finished top of the table.
The Swans also defeated GWS in the qualifying final. Others felt the GWS banner was only going to escape criticism if they were able to beat Sydney at the SCG this time round.
Although that didn't happen either with GWS now having lost their last five games against the Swans. The Swans' social media team were quick to respond after the victory and edited the GWS image to read: "We lost."
While all in good humour, the Giants' banner appeared to cop more criticism than love. There were some interesting comments from the AFL world with many calling out GWS for the 'tacky' dig at their rivals before the Sydney derby.
Nothing but ❤️🤍 pic.twitter.com/y8EKrh0gzK
— Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) May 4, 2025
i always like the @GWSGIANTS media skits and their signsBut gotta say this is pretty tacky#AFLSwansGiants @scg pic.twitter.com/JSYL8nm3js
— Bernie Coen (@berniecoen) May 4, 2025
I mean....didn't we get smashed twice last year in finals (including to Sydney)? This one might be a miss folks
— Justin Fawcett (@Merilvingien) May 4, 2025
This ain't it.
— jimmy (@omgiant88) May 4, 2025
The Swans moved up to 14th on the ladder after the desperate victory. They are now only a win off the top eight. Coach Cox was happy with the effort, but felt it was only the start for a team trying to rediscover their from after plenty of injuries.
"The players are aware that it's one game. We've made some inroads, but we've still got a lot of work to do," Cox said. "You've got to get to the line and test it. We're in such a ruthless competitive environment that you have to get there as often as you possibly can, and we went away from that last week. To the players' credit, they responded well, but we have to go again."
Swans midfielder Chad Warner won the Brett Kirk medal for the best on ground after recording 24-disposals and seven-clearance efforts. The Swans will play Essendon this weekend and will have the opportunity to draw level on points.
The Giants have now slumped to three straight defeats after starting the season off so well. While the sit in eighth, they face a tough task in snapping their losing streak against Geelong this weekend.
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