Sydney set for three grudge matches to open its 2014 AFL season NEIL CORDY THE DAILY TELEGRAPH OCTOBER 30, 2013 12:00AM SYDNEY is in for a super start to the 2014 AFL season with three mouth watering fixtures to get things underway headlined by the season opener between the Swans and Giants at the Showground on March 15 at 4.40pm. Round two will see the blockbuster Swans and Collingwood at ANZ Stadium and round three has GWS hosting Melbourne in what will be Paul Roos first game back in the Harbour City. The round one match looks certain to be a sell out with Buddy Franklin playing his first game in the red and white against the team which expected to sign him at the end of this season. It will also be the first time the local rivals played at the Showground (formerly Skoda Stadium) making tickets a premium commodity at the 25,000 capacity stadium. Franklin will be the star performer at the boutique venue but there are plenty of strong supporting acts, including Giants young champion in the making Jeremy Cameron who could easily put on a show of his own at the other end of the ground. Fans are also likely to see a much closer contest in a rivalry which added some bitterness in the off season. Shane Mumford and Jed Lamb will play against the Swans for the first time. Mumford’s ruck battle with Mike Pyke will be one to watch closely with the Canadian’s improvement last season dramatic. Sydney were bitterly upset at losing Lamb to the Giants and are sure to test him out. The match will also see brothers Heath and Rhyce Shaw in their own battle for family bragging rights. Heath didn’t want to leave the Magpies but now that the move has been made is looking forward to a fresh start in GWS colours. The round two match between the Swans and Magpies on March 29 at ANZ Stadium has plenty of attractions as well. The Lance Franklin/Travis Cloke show will be another one for the football purists and Jesse White will be looking to impress when plays against the Swans for the first time. Paul Roos return to Sydney as an opposition coach on April six will also have it’s attractions in round three. The Giants will see the match as a possible win and so will the Demons but the expectations will be greater on Roos. A loss GWS would be viewed at a small failure early in his tenure as Melbourne coach. A late Easter in 2014 (Easter Sunday 2014 April 20) has provided the opportunity for the Giants to play two matches at the Showgrounds before the Show. The fledgling team had to wait till round seven for their first home game last year and round nine in 2011. They will be counting on a full house for the Swans game and hoping a positive experience at the smaller stadium will bring plenty back for the match against the Demons in round three.
Posted on: Tue, 29 Oct 2013 19:33:24 +0000
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