In a year where nothing is the norm, GIANTS coach Leon Cameron and Swans coach John Longmire have come together - via Zoom - ahead of the Sydney Derby.
The two teams will face off at Optus Stadium in Perth on Thursday evening with the match to be the first Derby ever to be played out of Sydney.
It’s the 19th instalment of the cross-town rivalry and though in another state, the two teams will still play for the Sydney Derby Cup (although it’s back home at GIANTS HQ) and the Brett Kirk Medal will be awarded to the player judged best on ground.
“We’re on a hook-up, sitting in a hotel room - and Horse (John Longmire) is probably the same - isolated away and preparing to play each-other,” Cameron said.
“We know the situation but when the ball bounces, the game’s still going to be on and we’re looking forward to a huge challenge.
“We understand it's a bit different but a game of footy’s still going to be played, which we look forward to.”
Cameron ruled star forward Toby Greene out, hinting he’ll be ready to return from his hamstring injury for the next round, and gave an update on Phil Davis’ knee injury.
“We’ll give Phil until tomorrow’s Captain’s Run," Cameron said.
“He’s touch and go; if you had to put a percentage on it, it’s probably 60/40.
“If he doesn’t improve on that tomorrow then clearly we’re not going to play him.
"He’s always had a way of getting up to play. He’s durable, his knee's been a bit more but he finds a way to play. If he's right, he’ll play.”
The team will be announced at 6:20pm on Wednesday with the match to be played at 6:10pm WST/8:10pm EST on Thursday.
The match will be live on Fox Footy nationally and on free-to-air on 7mate into NSW and the ACT.
