The GWS Giants’ social media team has a reputation for stirring the pot, but the trash-talking of rival clubs is starting to grate on many fans.
The Giants often roll out Cooper Hamilton for their ‘troll’ videos, who has only managed eight games for the club since he was drafted as a rookie selection in 2021.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Cooper Hamilton wants rival AFL fans to support Giants.
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In a video earlier this year (ahead of the club’s clash with Sydney), he raised eyebrows when he mocked the Swans’ 150-year history and essentially called them a pathetic club, while also hinting they were salary-cap cheating.
In a video that hit social media on Wednesday evening, Hamilton was at it again, this time poking fun at the Brisbane Lions and their history.
The Lions are a merger of Victorian club Fitzroy and the Brisbane Bears, with the two clubs coming together under duress in emotional scenes in 1996.
Fitzroy were an AFL/VFL foundation club, set up in the 1880s, and still has links to Victoria through an amateur and strong junior club that play at the Brunswick St Oval in North Fitzroy.
In the video, Hamilton is seemingly aware he is about to walk on sensitive ground, and he starts with some self-deprecating humour before giving his social media team a slight jab.
“Hi, I’m Copper Hamilton, part-time footballer, full-time media guinea pig,” Hamilton, who is a moon-boot, said.
“I’m finally back … the social media team are short on content.
“(And) I’m stepping in to recruit you this weekend … we’re heading back to Engie Stadium where we host the Fitzroy … Brisbane … Lions and Bears in a huge semi-final.”
Hamilton then goes on to again have a dig at Sydney (he calls them by their former name, South Melbourne), the Western Bulldogs, Carlton, Collingwood, Essendon, Fremantle … and more.
There is also a little crack at St Kilda’s social media team.
Once again the fan reaction was swift, with some noting that the Giants are a club set up on the AFL’s coin (only formed in 2010) to serve a strategic purpose in the league’s expansion plans.
“The Fitzroy Brisbane jab is a bit much coming from a soulless strategic corporate entity,” one fan wrote.
Another fan said: “GWS should be moved to Newcastle/ Central coast. Farce of a club.”
And another said: “This is actually low key sad.”
Others thought it was odd that the Giants were stooping to such measures to promote what should be a cracking final.
“So, you’re struggling to sell seats? For a final? In a tiny stadium? The Sydney Swans could sell (it) out 3 or 4 times over?” a fan said.
Another fan said: “This was a miss. Unprofessional and not funny.”
Another wrote: “Not even funny tbh missed the mark.”
Another summed up the trolling with one word: “Cringe.”
There were some digs at Hamilton, too, with the player — who has not played this season and only managed four games the year before — struggling to appear at AFL level.
“Does this guy even play anymore? Openly disrespecting opposition clubs? Trying so hard to be funny. Maybe worry about holding 5 goal leads in a final to put you into a prelim,” one fan said.
“Love Giants social media, but does this guy play anymore or has he transitioned to a social media intern?” another fan said.
The Giants did receive some support, however, with some fans applauding the video and others calling it “elite” content.
“Well played. 👏 👏” one fan said.
In July this year, another video from the Giants — where Toby Greene mocked Isaac Heeney — also caught the attention of the Swans and their boss Tom Harley.
“I did see the Giants video and I’m not going to give it any air but (I thought it was) pretty low-brow,” Harley said on SEN.
“Isaac is a champion of our club and a champion of the game and … (he’s) a bloke from Newcastle brought up on rugby league (who has done plenty for the growth of the game) … I wouldn’t have done it.”