All eyes turn to the SCG on Sunday as the GIANTS and the Swans meet for city bragging rights in the 30^th edition of the Sydney Derby.

AFL Round 8

Swans v GIANTS 
Sunday, May 4 at 1:10pm
SCG | Gadigal Country

What It Means For The GIANTS   

The GIANTS (4-3) can quiet the naysayers in the best possible way on Sunday as they look to take down the crosstown rivals on their own home turf in the 30^th Battle of the Bridge. 

There’s no denying the orange tsunami hasn’t been at its surging best over the past two weeks but Sunday’s stage at the SCG looms as the perfect way to get back on the winner’s list. 

After winning three of their opening four games the GIANTS have hit an early-season form slump following consecutive losses to the Crows and the Bulldogs but now have the chance to get back on track with victory over the Swans in what is sure to be a spicy Sydney Derby.  

Sunday’s clash will be the first time the GIANTS have faced off with the Swans since they beat Adam Kingsley’s men in a qualifying final thriller at the same venue last September.

While the GIANTS have still played some brilliant football over the past two weeks, it is their inconsistency which is letting them down, with the Dogs outscoring the GIANTS five goals to none in the third term last week to set up the 32-point win. 

With many members of the media writing the GIANTS off from premiership contention this week following their back-to-back losses, there’s not much more motivation needed for the GIANTS to turn things around than by claiming a statement win over their archrivals in Sydney Derby XXX.

The Opposition 

The Swans (2-5) will enter Sunday’s home Derby also looking to recapture their best form after a sluggish start to the season for last year’s grand finalist.

After losing their opening two games to the Hawks and the Lions, the Swans responded with wins over the Dockers and the Kangaroos before three straight losses in recent weeks to the Magpies, the Power, and the Suns.

Sitting in often unchartered territory at 14^th on the ladder ahead of the clash with the GIANTS, the Swans will also be looking for more consistency across four quarters after a second-half fadeout last week saw them get smashed by the Suns on the Gold Coast.

Leading by 29 points late in the second term, the Swans were stunned be a Suns avalanche as they kicked the next 12 goals to run out convincing 38-point winners.

It was a stark contrast between the two halves for the Swans who looked on track for a brilliant on the road win at Peoples First Stadium before limping to the finish line to lose 17.15 (117) to 12.7 (79) to the red-hot Suns.

Furthermore, the Swans will have to overcome a slow start to the season at home on Sunday if they’re to take down the GIANTS, with Dean Cox’s men having lost all three home games at the SCG so far this season.

Recent History 

The Swans will enter Sydney Derby XXX with recent history on their side after having won the last four matches between the sides.

The most recent matchup was last year’s epic qualifying final at the SCG in which the Swans stormed back from 28 points down to register an epic six-point win in one of the games of the season. 

Prior to that contest the Swans won the previous three meetings by 27, 29, and 11 points. 

In the 13 contests between the sides at the SCG, the Swans currently hold an 8-5 advantage over the GIANTS.  

Key Match Up: Toby’s Tag

Toby Bedford continues to play a vital role for the GIANTS as he restricts some of the league’s best midfielders.

With the Swans possessing two star midfielders in Issac Heeney and Chad Warner, Bedford could be deployed against either gun on Sunday in a bid to limit their influence.

The Swans pair will be crucial to their side’s chances of victory at the SCG, with Heeney (20 disposals, one goal) and Warner (24 disposals, two goals) both entering the clash in fine form following strong games against the Suns last week.

Likewise, Bedford – who will play his 50^th game for the GIANTS on Sunday – will be pivotal to the GIANTS‘ chances of victory as he once again looks to shut down either of the Swans’ star midfielders.  

Watch here what Bedford had to say ahead of Sunday’s big clash.  

GIANTS Player To Watch:  

Defender Jack Buckley continues to be one of the competition’s most underrated defenders despite continually nullifying some of the league’s best key forwards. 

While his sidekick Sam Taylor often gets the plaudits from the outside world – and deservedly so – Buckley continues to play at an elite level himself to be a key cog of the GIANTS’ stingy defensive unit. 

Despite the club going down to the Western Bulldogs last week, Buckley continued his brilliant season down back to finish with 21 disposals, 11 intercept possessions, and a game-high 11 marks. 

As the GIANTS look to end their two-game losing streak on Sunday they’ll need Buckley and the rest of the GIANTS backline to be at their best if they’re to take down the Swans. 

In The Mix  

With the club’s VFL side undefeated, several GIANTS continue to star in the lower level to push their claims for AFL selection. 

Click here to get a recap of last week’s VFL win, where the likes of Harry Rowston, Leek Aleer and Joe Fonti led the way as they push for senior selection.  

Team Selection 

The GIANTS will name their extended squad to take on the Swans at 6:20pm on Thursday via gwsgiants.com.au and then announce the final team of 23 at 5pm on Friday.

Rehab Report 

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

Where To Watch 

The GIANTS’ clash with the Swans will be shown live nationally on Fox Footy and Kayo from 12:30pm as well as live and free in NSW and the ACT on Channel Seven and 7plus from 1pm.

The Swans have reignited their season with a plucky 14-point victory in a fiery clash with arch rivals the GIANTS at the SCG.

The Swans were at risk of losing touch with the top eight after three consecutive defeats but gave their finals hopes a much-needed boost in holding off the GIANTS for a 12.15 (87) to 10.13 (73) win.

The Sydney Derby lived up to its billing as one of the hottest rivalries in the game as spot fires broke out from the early exchanges while the Swans made a sizzling start.

The GIANTS paid the price for giving away multiple free kicks that helped the Swans boot the opening five goals, but faced an even heavier cost when losing Toby Bedford on the brink of the main change.

Bedford had been battling hard to contain the Swans' onball guns Isaac Heeney and eventual Brett Kirk medallist Chad Warner, but was forced from the field and soon subbed out of the contest after copping a blow to the eye from Lewis Melican.

The Swans key defender will be sweating on the Match Review Officer decision after running in from the opposite direction and making high contact with a swinging arm on Bedford.

With the GIANTS missing their first-choice midfield minder, Heeney and Warner had more leash to guide the Swans home while the visitors threatened to snatch the four points late in the game.

Justin McInerney was just as critical to the Swans' triumph after spending more time in the engine room from the time of winning the first clearance of the game.

Swans tagger James Jordon limited the impact of GIANTS half-back Lachie Whitfield and found space to boot two pivotal majors in the last term as players on both sides fluffed their lines near goal.

The GIANTS have found it difficult to wrest back momentum through the middle periods of the game in recent weeks, but this time were off the pace early as the Swans opened up a handy lead.

But Finn Callaghan took command of the on-ball brigade to spark the GIANTS in the second term and helped drag the visitors back to within a goal at the main change.

The 22-year-old continued to stand up in the GIANTS' undermanned midfield and finished with 33 disposals, while Tom Green gathered a game-high 34 touches and Callan Ward turned back the clock with 21.

It was an arm wrestle through much of the second half as both sides failed to make the most of their opportunities in front of goal until GIANTS sub Jake Stringer sent a scare through the Swans with three final-term majors during one final push that ultimately came too late.

Swans.                                                 5.4       6.5       8.10      12.15 (87)
GIANTS                                                   2.1       5.5       6.8       10.13 (73)

GOALS

Swans: Jordon 2, Heeney, Cleary, Rowbottom, McLean, Hayward, Blakey, Francis, Co.Warner, Hamling, Sheldrick
GIANTS: Stringer 3, Cadman 2, Jones, Wehr, Ward, Hogan, Green

BEST

Swans: Ch.Warner, Heeney, McInerney, Jordon, Roberts, Rowbottom, McCartin, Rampe
GIANTS: Callaghan, Green, Ward, Ash, Idun

INJURIES

Swans: Nil
GIANTS: Bedford (eye)

SUBSTITUTES

Swans: Angus Sheldrick (replaced Corey Warner in the last quarter)
GIANTS: Jake Stringer (replaced Toby Bedford at half-time)

REPORTS

Swans: Lewis Melican reported for striking Toby Bedford
GIANTS: Nil

Crowd: 39,260 at the SCG