Expect fireworks in a massive finals-shaping clash under lights in Sydney Derby XXXI.

AFL ROUND 20

GIANTS v Swans 
Friday, July 25 at 7:50pm 
ENGIE Stadium | Wangal Country  

What It Means For The GIANTS   

The GIANTS have hit their groove at the right time of year with five wins on the trot but if they’re to keep the momentum rolling, they’ll have to achieve a feat they haven’t done in more than two years: beat the Swans.

Losers of five straight against the crosstown rival, the GIANTS will be hoping to turn their misfortunes around on Friday in a match pivotal to both side’s finals dreams.

Sitting sixth on the AFL table at 12-6, Friday’s Derby is another vital clash not only for the GIANTS’ top four aspirations but their standing in the top eight in one of the most heated finals races in recent history – with just two games separating the third-placed Crows and the Suns in eighth. 

An added incentive for the GIANTS on Friday is the fact that a victory against the old foe would all but end the Swans’ finals hopes. 

Despite their recent shortcomings against the Swans, Adam Kingsley’s side will enter Friday’s mouthwatering Derby full of confidence off the back of their best form of the season – highlighted by statement wins over Geelong, Gold Coast, and Brisbane in their five-match winning streak.

The GIANTS will face the Swans following a 48-point win over Essendon in which they kept the Bombers to one goal in the first half en route to a 16.8 (104) to 7.14 (56) win at Marvel Stadium.  

Looking for their sixth straight win, the GIANTS could be buoyed by three huge inclusions for Friday’s spicy showdown, with stars Jesse Hogan, Sam Taylor, and Josh Kelly all pushing their cases to return against the Swans.  

The Opposition 

It’s simple for the Swans – win on Friday or their finals dreams are over. 

After a slow start to their season, the in-form Swans have finally found their mojo but in order to give themselves a chance of finishing inside the top eight they must win all of their remaining games of the home and away season – starting with Friday’s huge Derby against the GIANTS.  

Winners of three straight and five of their last six, the Swans will enter Friday’s high-stakes clash in their best form of their season as they look to keep their finals aspirations alive.  

With many of their key players back and firing during their recent purple patch, the Swans have registered impressive wins over fellow finals contenders Fremantle and the Western Bulldogs in recent weeks but must now add the GIANTS to that list if they’re to stay in the hunt for finals. 

Key to the Swans’ recent hot streak has been the form of a host of their stars who will no doubt be pivotal to Friday’s result, with Brodie Grundy, Isaac Heeney and Errol Gulden leading the way. 

Making a late push for an All-Australian blazer, Grundy in particular has been a driving force for the Swans across the last six weeks and will look to continue that on Friday in a mouthwatering matchup with GIANTS ruck Kieren Briggs.

Heeney and Gulden will also enter the Derby in red-hot form, with Heeney coming off one of the best games of the season after finishing with 34 disposals and five goals in their win over North Melbourne last week. 

With their season on the line, expect the Swans to come out firing in a clash that never needs any extra motivation for sparks to fly.  

Recent History  

Recent history has not been kind to the GIANTS, with the orange and charcoal suffering five straight losses to the Swans dating back to 2023.

The last time the big big sound was played following a Derby was back in round seven, 2023 when the GIANTS clinched an epic one-point win at the SCG.

Following a nail-biting six-point win in last year’s thrilling qualifying final, the Swans made it five in a row against the GIANTS earlier this year when they claimed a gutsy 14-point win at the SCG in round eight.

The Swans jumped out to a 21-point quarter-time lead in the clash and were never headed from there as they held on for a 12.15 (87) to 10.13 (73) win at home.  

Key Match Up: From Friends To Foes  

Two of the AFL’s biggest stars, Toby Greene and Isaac Heeney both thrive on the big stage and are poised for starring performances in one of the most anticipated Derby clashes in recent history.

While they’re mates off the field as business partners for 5^th Quarter Camps, the friends will turn foes on Friday night in a clash crucial to both side’s finals aspirations.

Both guns will enter the Derby in red hot form and looking to carry that over against their arch rival, with Greene registering 17 touches, seven marks, seven score involvements, and two goals in the win over the Bombers while Heeney had one of the best games of his career last week with 34 touches, 13 clearances and five goals in the win over the Kangaroos. 

While they may not find themselves directly opposed to each other, there’s no doubting the two superstars are the barometers of their sides and their output on Friday will go a long way to who gets Sydney bragging rights in Derby XXXI.  

GIANTS Player To Watch: Sam Taylor  

A GIANT inclusion for Friday’s game could be star All-Australian defender Sam Taylor who is pushing to take on the Swans after a month on the sidelines.

Having missed the last four games with a broken toe, Taylor will look to prove his fitness in Wednesday’s main training session in order to take on the Swans. 

In the midst of another brilliant season down back, Taylor incredibly still leads the AFL in total intercept marks this season (58) despite having missed the last four games with injury.  

The best intercept defender in the competition, Taylor’s inclusion would be a huge boost for Adam Kingsley’s side on Friday night.

In The Mix 

Three GIANTS stars are in the mix for Friday’s huge clash, with Coleman Medallist Jesse Hogan and two-time club champion Josh Kelly listed as tests alongside Taylor to return against the Swans.  

A host of players also performed strongly in the VFL last week and will likely come into consideration for the Derby, with Harry Rowston, James Leake and Nick Madden leading the way.  

Click here for a recap of last week’s VFL win over the Bombers.  

Team Selection 

The GIANTS will name their team to take on the Swans at 6:20pm on Wednesday at gwsgiants.com.au.

Rehab Report 

Get a full injury update ahead of Friday’s match here.

Where To Watch 

The Sydney Derby will be shown live and free in NSW and the ACT on Channel 7 and 7plus from 7:30pm, as well as nationally on Fox Sports 3 and Kayo from 7:30pm.