AAP
Greater Western Sydney coach Kevin Sheedy won't rush the development of his AFL side.
Sheedy noted GWS have the makings of an "absolutely magnificent team" after they posted a maiden win over cross-city rivals Sydney in a pre-season clash at Blacktown.
On Sunday's evidence it could be earlier than expected.
The Giants' attack on the ball was nothing new, but the polish the youngsters showed in just their second season surprised plenty.
While Sheedy was all smiles, he noted the club was still aiming for long-term sustainable success.
"Clubs in a hurry have accidents," Sheedy said.
"You've seen that in the last few years in the AFL, they muck up by rushing their decisions.
"Rushing to want to be good, rushing to try and find the edge.
"Sometimes the edge is your own spirit, soul and talent."
GWS's 24-point victory over Sydney came after the Giants were left feeling "very, very annoyed with themselves" after going down to Carlton by two points.
The shock upset added another layer of intrigue to the opening-round Sydney derby on March 30 at ANZ Stadium.
"Teams are going to improve and GWS showed they've improved a lot and they really want to compete," Swans midfielder Luke Parker said.
"That's what we didn't do tonight.
"I guess their attack on the ball was always up there, but they were very attacking and used a lot of hands through the middle and they were doing it pretty well tonight.
"The thing is, we let them. We didn't have the pressure we normally put on them. So it made it a lot easier for them."
GWS lost both of their derby clashes in 2012, by an average of 78.5 points, and Sheedy was looking forward to seeing how far his side had come.
"It's a game that's actually going to change the state of football in NSW, for sure," Sheedy said.
"Because what our players are starting to feel is that we're not that far away, really, from any of the sides.
"I know we've got a bit of a way to go, but the growth of this team over the summer has been enormous.
"I've been around football a long time and I've seen the great Richmond sides play, and obviously coached the great Bombers sides.
"Get on early because this side is going to be an absolutely magnificent team."
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