The rivalry between the Swans Reserves and the WSU GIANTS stems back to the inaugural NEAFL season in 2011 - the year before the GIANTS entered the AFL.

The Swans Reserves won plenty of early contests between the two clubs, but the WSU GIANTS have grown into a competition force in recent years.

Ahead of the 2016 NEAFL Grand Final on Sunday at Blacktown International Sportspark, the overall win-loss record sees the Swans leading 11-10.

NEAFL.com.au take a look at the evolution of the rivalry between the two Grand Finalists over the past six years.

Round 6, 2011: Swans Reserves 12.15 (87) def. WSU GIANTS 3.9 (27) at Manuka Oval

The very first match between the two sides was held at Manuka Oval as a curtain raiser to the AFL match between the Swans and the Western Bulldogs in early 2011. 

Both sides were undefeated in the NEAFL heading into the round six contest, and the WSU GIANTS were determined to show they belonged.

From the outset the game was close and hard-fought, where the young GIANTS trailed by one point at quarter-time.

Neither side made the most of their opportunities in the second quarter as the Swans went into half-time with a seven-point lead.

But that’s when Sydney went up a gear, proving their elite status in the Eastern Conference.

They kicked three goals to one in the third, and followed it up with an impressive six goals in the final quarter - while keeping the GIANTS scoreless - to run out convincing winners.

Round 17, 2013: WSU GIANTS 21.16 (142) def. Swans Reserves 12.7 (79) at the SCG

Whilst this match late in 2013 didn’t go down to the wire, it also gave a glimpse into what the future held for the WSU GIANTS as they began to turn into a competition force.

The Swans Reserves had won seven of the first eight matches between the two sides, and the Swans had only dropped one match head into round 17 of the 2013 season at the SCG.

But there was no denying the attacking power of the GIANTS on this particular day, as they booted 9.5 in the opening quarter to set the tone.

The Swans were able to restrict the WSU GIANTS to three goals in the second quarter, but only managed to kick one themselves, as the GIANTS extended their lead to 51 points at half time before running out 63-point winners.

From 2013 season onwards, the WSU GIANTS won the next two consecutive NEAFL minor premierships, and won 10 of the next 12 games against the Swans Reserves heading into the 2016 NEAFL Grand Final. 

Round 20, 2014: Swans Reserves 11.12 (78) def. WSU GIANTS 11.11 (77) at the SCG

On the eve of the 2014 finals series, the WSU GIANTS were on top of the ladder with two rounds left.

Their round 20 opponents, the Swans, were a game behind in equal second with the minor premiership up for grabs in a big contest at the SCG.

The GIANTS were on the front foot early until the Swans made a late charge with only one rotations on the bench.

Trailing by as much as 32 points in the second term, 26 points at half-time, and 15 points in the early stages of the final term, the Swans dug deep and took the lead for the first time in the game when Tom Mitchell snapped a point at the Randwick End with less than a minute remaining in the match.

Mitchell was also the key ball winner for the Swans with 28 disposals, while Sydney fans got a glimpse of the future with academy members Isaac Heeney and Callum Mills among their best players with 23 disposals each.

A week later, the WSU GIANTS went on to claim the minor premiership - by percentage only over the Swans - for the first time in club history.

Round 5, 2015: WSU GIANTS 12.16 (88) def. Swans Reserves 12.9 (81) at Spotless Stadium

In recent seasons, the Swans Reserves and the WSU GIANTS have produced some of the highest quality matches in the competition’s history.

Their round 5 encounter in 2015 was no exception. Both sides were sitting in equal second on the ladder with top spot up for grabs.

The Swans led by two points at quarter-time and took advantage of a wasteful GIANTS in the second, who booted 1.8 to 3.1.

But the GIANTS made their move in the third, kicking five goals to two hit the front by 12 points at the last break.

Scores were level when James Rose slotted a goal at the 10-minute mark of the last, in a match where no more than two goals separated the sides all day.

It came down to a match-winning goal from Jake Barrett deep into the final quarter for the GIANTS to get over the line in a see-sawing contest by seven points, where they jumped into first position on the ladder as a result.

Josh Kelly finished with 39 disposals, 11 clearances, six inside 50s and a goal to be the GIANTS' best player.

Round 11, 2016: WSU GIANTS 16.13 (109) def. Swans Reserves 16.12 (108) at Spotless Stadium

The Swans Reserves had taken all before them in the opening rounds of the 2016 season, remaining undefeated for the first 10 rounds.

They came up against the WSU GIANTS, who they had beaten by 18 points in round two, in what ended as one of the matches of the season in an AFL curtain-raiser at Spotless Stadium.

The Swans led by a game-high 26 points during the second quarter before their undefeated streak ended in stunning fashion.

The GIANTS – who were in sixth position on the ladder - didn’t hit the lead until the final quarter when Matt Flynn put them in front at the 12 minute mark.

The lead changed another four times in a frantic final quarter, with a pair of goals Jeremy Finlayson and Matthew Kennedy handing the GIANTS a seven-point lead at the 27-minute mark.

A late goal from Sam Murray gave the Swans a chance, but the siren sounded with only one point the difference.

It was the turning point in the WSU GIANTS' season, who won eight of their next nine matches to storm into their first NEAFL Grand Final this Sunday.

The Swans Reserves and WSU GIANTS face off in the 2016 NEAFL Grand Final at 1.30pm this Sunday at Blacktown International Sportspark.