Ahead of Sydney Derby XVIII, GIANTS past and present have reflected on one of the club’s fondest moments – the first Sydney Derby win in round one, 2014.

The win was significant in so many ways that it has already become part of the GIANTS’ folklore. 

It had everything; an intense build up, electrical storms, a game that was a classic arm wrestle and a heroic performance from a key player.

GIANTS co-captain Callan Ward, who claimed the Brett Kirk Medal as best on ground in the 32-point win, said the game was huge for the burgeoning club.

“It was probably the moment where our boys got some huge belief and confidence,” he recalled.

“To beat a team who were spoken about all pre-season as one of the favourites for that year and we’d had a few ordinary years before then was huge.

“It was probably the first time the boys realised that we could actually compete with not just any team but the good teams like the Swans.

“It probably was the moment we arrived.” 

Jonathan Giles – the first player to 50 games for the GIANTS – was playing in the ruck alongside Shane Mumford in the win.

After leaving the GIANTS at the end of the 2014, Giles played at Essendon and West Coast before retiring in 2017.

Now working in construction, the man affectionally known as ‘Joffa’ echoes Ward’s sentiments and believes it helped to build the rivalry between the two clubs.

“I think in the first couple of years – like we had with a lot of clubs we were getting whacked – we were getting a fair few losses,” Giles recalls.

“We were underdogs going into the game and I think the rivalry was always there but maybe didn’t really get real until we struck a blow and got a win on the board. 

“It was a milestone a moment where we’d arrived, and it was game on from there.”

Thunderbolts and Lightning

The game is often remembered for the unique storm that rained over GIANTS Stadium during the opening quarter.

Tomas Bugg – an original GIANT who joined the club as an underage recruit – was playing in just his 33^rd game for the club and his fifth derby on that wet Saturday afternoon in March. 

After leaving the GIANTS in 2015, Bugg played 31 games for Melbourne and retired earlier this year while listed at Carlton to focus on his business interests.

Now Chairman of the GIANTS’ Past Players Association, Bugg instantly recalls the weather.

“I remember it being a really gloomy day and we had that extended break because of the lightning and the thunder so that stands out,” Bugg said.

Giles recalls the two sides being forced from the field at quarter time as lightning struck around GIANTS Stadium, scary conditions for a ruck. 

“What I remember from that game was that huge thunderstorm that came through and at quarter time we went down into the changerooms and had an extended break,” Giles said.

“It was really wet, really dark and then the lightning in the background.” 

Ward said the extended quarter time break worked in the GIANTS’ favour.

“We had a poor start and the Swans were up and about,” he recalls.

“I can’t recall the specifics but I do know that all we focused on was getting back to basics.

“I think we spoke about how much the Swans would have hated coming to the west and playing at our home ground, with the weather the way it was, it would have been the last thing they wanted to do.

“We came out a different side after that break.”

An Arm-Wrestle

The game itself was a tight affair, with the Swans leading at the end of each quarter but the GIANTS were always within arm’s reach.

The GIANTS were able to reel the Swans in during the last quarter, running out winners by 32 points; 15.9 (99) to 9.13 (67). 

“It was pretty tight until the last quarter when we broke away.” Giles recalled. 

“Sam Frost kicked a goal in the last quarter, and it might of put us three or four goals up and that was the moment I realised we were going to win this one. Until then it was a slog of a game.” 

Bugg also pinpoints Frost’s goal as the moment he thought the game was won.

“Whenever you play Sydney, regardless of the scoreboard it was always an arm-wrestle,” he said. 

“The moment from the game that I really remember is Frosty’s goal, leaning back from about 35 out and the guys getting up and celebrating it.” 

Ward, while agreeing that Frost’s goal was a memorable one, recalls a different moment.

“I remember Jonny’s (Patton) one being the icing on the cake, it might have been the one after Frosty’s but that’s the one I remember because of the way he celebrated,” he said. 

“It was just huge and I’d never heard the GIANTS crowd that loud at our stage of our development.

“Frosty’s goal was definitely big because he doesn’t kick many goals and when he kicked that it was a massive team lifter and I think we kind of looked around and went ‘we’ve probably got this’.” 

Davis’ Heroics

Phil Davis’ efforts during the game in quelling the influence of high-profile Swans recruit Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin were outstanding, even before the injury he suffered comes into consideration.

The then 23-year-old kept the two-time premiership Swan to just one goal and seven disposals. 

It became apparent later that an innocuous knee to the back had caused some serious damage to the co-captain. Davis would have multiple surgeries to save a badly lacerated kidney.

“I remember - as he always does - he kept Buddy pretty quiet which was a pretty big effort on that night,” Giles remembers.

“During the game I know he was sore but then after the game we went back to the club and I remember making a smart-arse joke as I would with Phil in sort of saying ‘you’ve got a sore back you’ll get over it’ a sort of ‘you’ll be right’ comment. 

“Not realising the full effect, and he didn’t know the full effect of the damage he’d done to his kidney.”

Bugg and Ward both consider Davis’ game as one of the most heroic they’ve seen. 

“It’s actually, looking back now, it’s unbelievable,” Ward said. 

“He was probably in some extreme pain but is so tough that he probably didn’t feel most of it and the adrenalin of us just beating the Swans for the first time. 

“I guess it’s hard for me to relate… but I’ve heard the pain is extreme and for him to play out the game is just an amazing effort.

“It’s probably go down as one of the toughest things that’s been done on a football field.”

Bugg said: “It’s a really important game and there were important moments in the game and when you reflect on it that’s definitely one of them. 

“I remember looking at the footage and thinking ‘there’s nothing in that’, and at the time I probably underestimated how big a hit it was. 

“I still remember walking back to the club and walking past Phil laying there in excruciating pain and then the guys getting updates throughout the night as to how serious the injury was. 

“When I reflect on my time at the GIANTS, Phil’s one of the great players to play with because he does give his heart to the team and is fighting for you, so it was definitely heroic to do was he did and do what he does.”

The Sydney Derby rivalry continues this Saturday in Sydney Derby XVIII as the GIANTS take on the Swans at GIANTS Stadium. Don’t miss what could be another classic, get your tickets HERE.