The Giants lost their opening match but won a lot of friends in launching the AFL’s dream of a golden new era in Sydney’s west.

The next big home test for Sydney’s second team, after an away fixture against North Melbourne, comes on April 15.

That’s when they host the West Coast Eagles in their first “real” home game in the real heart of Sydney’s west, Blacktown, where Gough Whitlam chose to launch Labor’s successful “It’s time” campaign in 1972.

Similarly, Greater Western Sydney coach Kevin Sheedy knows there is no way he can let down the traditionally rugby league-mad locals who are both expectant and curious about the new code on the block.

“I think it will be a packed house,” Sheedy said after pronouncing himself proud of both his team’s effort in Saturday night’s 63-point loss to the Sydney Swans and the 38,000 fans who turned up to ANZ Stadium to see them.

“It’s great for the parents and kids of Blacktown to have a game of AFL in their backyard.”

“And somewhere along the way I hope we can inspire them to find a way to fall in love with a sporting club, and have them believing and belonging.”

Star rugby league recruit Israel Folau struggled to get four possessions, but the Giants won a solid pass mark on all fronts for their first-up effort, which had direct competition from rugby league’s St George-Manly blockbuster.

They may also have been a factor in pushing the Waratahs to play their Super Rugby match against the Sharks in the afternoon instead of at night at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium.