Sydney Swans to battle GWS Giants at Henson Park
Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne and Sydney Swans Head of Football Tom Harley have urged footy fans in the inner west to get down to Marrickville’s Henson Park on Friday February 23 to witness the Swans and GWS Giants write another chapter in their cross-city rivalry.
The game will be the first the Swans and GWS have played against each other at the historic ground.
“It’s great to see two huge sporting rivals come together and put on a cracking show for the people of the Inner West,” said Mayor Byrne.
“I urge sports fans from around the inner west to make the trip to Marrickville for chance to see some of the AFL’s biggest stars fight for a spot in their best 22 for the season ahead,” he said.
“We’re really looking forward to our first competitive AFL hit out of the year against GWS at Henson Park,” added Sydney Swans’ Tom Harley.
“The match will not only be a great opportunity for our players to test themselves against a really good outfit in the Giants, but also a chance for supporters from the area to see a great game of footy in their own backyard,” he said.
The Sydney Swans also want to deepen their ties with the inner west and are exploring ways to ensure local fans can get their footy fix on a regular basis at iconic Henson Park.
“Henson Park will always be the home of the Newtown Jets, and I commend the club on rolling out the welcome mat to their footy cousins. I look forward to this ground becoming not only a fortress for the Bluebags, but for the Sydney Swans as well,” said Mayor Byrne.
Sydney Swans, AFL NSW/ACT and the Newtown Jets have approached Council regarding the potential redevelopment of the King George V Memorial Grandstand and the improvement the existing sporting facilities at the ground.
“I’m excited we are exploring the possibility of Henson Park becoming a regular venue for the Sydney Swans's NEAFL team, their Academy and a possible women's team in the future. This would allow us to establish world-class sporting facilities in the heart of the inner west,” said Mayor Byrne.
The first Swans Intra Club game kicked off at Henson Park in 2015 and has been held yearly since. This is the first year the Swans will play against another team, the GWS Giants.
“With plenty of fun activities for the kids and some blockbuster match-ups on the field, it will be a great way to warm up for the 2018 premiership season and we hope to see as many Swans fans there as possible,” said Harley.
Gates open at 4pm and admission is free. The game will kick off at 5.30pm and supporters will have the chance to grab an autograph and a photo with their favourite players after the game.