Pagan, a dual premiership coach with the Kangaroos in 1996 and 1999, was part of the experiment from 1999 to 2002 when North Melbourne played games in Sydney, with the hope of being the second team in NSW.
They even changed their name to simply “The Kangaroos”, playing games at the SCG, while training and linking with local clubs in Western Sydney.
While the experiment didn't work, it was an example of the AFL’s long held desire to make inroads into rugby league’s heartland.
The GIANTS had 37,705 members last year, but only averaged 19,699 people at Engie Stadium, the memberships numbers inflated by non-ticketed members.
There were 78,000 participants across NSW and the ACT in 2025, with AFL CEO Andrew Dillon recently saying he wants to reach 200,000 by 2033.
It is an ambitious target and one that Pagan thinks needs more time to achieve, sighting a mix of on-field success and exposure to high profile footballers as they key.
“There is no instant formula, it’s as simple as success breeding success. Once you have that along with some high profile players, that is the recipe the GIANTS need to build their fanbase,” said Pagan, who was also named as coach in North Melbourne’s Team Of The Century.
“They have some star players like Finn Callaghan, Clayton Oliver and players like that, this will help.
“If you want to attract young children be it rugby league or Aussie rules or whatever it is, they relate to high profile super stars.
“You chuck in free jumpers, scarves and that sort of stuff, it all helps. It costs a lot of money but the AFL has put a lot of money into the region already.”
The GIANTS have a healthy community program, where they regularly visit schools and local Clubs within Western Sydney.
In 2025 the Giants conducted over 800 hours of community clinics and player appearances, visiting 27 clubs and 34 schools across the Greater Western Sydney and Canberra communities.
Pagan admits this is a positive thing, and he believes perseverance with such programs is the key.
“If you go to these schools and the kids can get to see, know, feel and relate to these players. They will then start following them and consequently you build your membership base.”
Pagan says he is also excited about future GIANTS Academy players, insisting that this type of investment will reap rewards in the future. He sighted the exciting players recently drafted from the Gold Coast and Brisbane Lions Academies as an example of how local talent can build a Club.
The GIANTS have Joel Delana, a Western Sydney boy who is an Academy graduate on their current list, while Campbelltown junior and current GIANTS Academy star Ethan Matthews is a highly touted prospect for this year’s draft.
“There is always a gem out there somewhere and you never know where you can find a diamond or two. They may come from other sports or backgrounds. You may have a few misses but you’ll also find some good ones.
“We had the Irish experiment in the 1980s and we had the likes of Jim Stynes. From there we had Tadgh Kennelly, Mark O’Conor, Zac Tuohy etc.
“The Academies in Queensland and NSW will unearth a few great players as well I am sure.”
Pagan also believes current GIANTS’ fans should be optimistic about the year ahead, sighting a core group of star players and coach Adam Kingsley as a recipe for success.
“I think they’ve got a group of really good players, and if they keep them all together, along with a very good coach in Adam Kingsley, they will get the success they need.
“They have been a bit unlucky in recent years, a bounce of the ball here or there and they could have been in more Grand Finals.”
The GIANTS started off 2026 with a bang, beating Hawthorn by 27 points at ENGIE Stadium on Saturday night in front of nearly 17,000 fans.
They tackle the Western Bulldogs next Saturday at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, before returning home on 21 March to take on St Kilda.
