Loyal, passionate, dedicated and orange, they are the real MVGs.
They are our Orange Army.
It’s member appreciation round this week and sports journalist and GIANTS ambassador Megan Hustwaite caught up with two fan favourites to discuss the best members in the competition.
Sophie Dwyer made an immediate impact in her first season with the club in 2021 and the GIANTS faithful quickly warmed to the goal attack, voted by the Members as their Player of the Year.
Dwyer felt the love of the orange army in her debut campaign and a season where the team contested an all-NSW Grand Final in Queensland.
“Having that support when it’s difficult being away from family and friends, it really showed they were sticking by us and it was nice to know they always had our backs," Dwyer said.
"Getting that award after my first year was really nice to see the fans were following and backing my journey.”
Dwyer says the orange army play their role on game day and this season have been a big contributor in some huge home wins.
“It’s really special each week playing in front of a crowd of orange, they do really drive us to perform at our best and we want to play well and strive for success for them," she said.
“I definitely think we have the loudest and proudest members, they create such an electric atmosphere at Ken Rosewall Arena.
"The Fever game from earlier this year comes to mind when we won by one. It was so loud in there and I think they really were our 11th player that day and having their support and energy in the arena really got us over the line.”
Another fan favourite, Matilda McDonell loves how the dedicated GIANTS members care about the players as professional athletes and as people.
“Our GIANTS fanbase are just so devoted. They’re so kind and really care about you as a person and as an athlete, they’re really considerate. If you’re doing uni, they’re interested in what’s going on off the court as well,” she explained.
“Because our club and us as a team are really based around family and connection to community, I feel like our GIANTS fanbase are just a part of us, we don’t really see them as fans but we see them more as part of the family and we couldn’t do it without them.”
After bubbles, hubs and extended time on the road over the last two years, the members and fans have helped make the GIANTS home court a fortress again in season 2022.
“To come back this year and have everyone back in the stands, being able to talk to them at the end of games and at functions has been so refreshing,” McDonell says.
“It’s so true, when things are gone that’s when you really appreciate it so the last two years has made us appreciate our GIANTS members and fans even more if that’s possible.
“It doesn’t matter what game it is, they turn up, show up in the orange and demonstrate the pride and love of being in the orange and it’s unreal.
“With finals ahead it would be even better if we got the opportunity to play in front of them, give them a bit of a show particularly with everything that happened last year with lockdown. It’d be really good to let our fans experience that.”
The GIANTS will host the Sunshine Coast Lightning this Saturday in the final round of the home and away season.
Register your interest to be a part of the Orange Army in 2023.
