The Greater Western Sydney GIANTS will play cross town rivals the Sydney Swans for the first time at GIANTS Stadium in the opening round of 2014 Toyota AFL Premiership Season.
The GIANTS will host the Swans in the Battle of the Bridge at 4.40pm on Saturday, March 15 to open 2014.
The GIANTS will play their second game at home before Easter when they meet Melbourne at GIANTS Stadium at Sydney Olympic Park on Sunday April 6 as former Swans coach Paul Roos returns to Sydney for the first time.
Speaking after the release of the AFL fixture, GIANTS Chief Executive David Matthews said it was a win for fans.
"We are particularly excited about playing the Swans for the first time at GIANTS Stadium in round one in what we expect to be a sell-out," he said.
"We have played the previous two opening Sydney Derbies at ANZ Stadium so to have the chance to play on our home turf is a great opportunity for us as a club and also for our fans.
"After an eventful trade period for both clubs this is going be a big game and I urge all GIANTS fans to sign up as members now to guarantee themselves a seat.
“With Easter being later next year, we are able to play two of our first three games at GIANTS Stadium in what is a great win for our fans in Western Sydney.
"We know GIANTS stadium offers a fantastic experience for families with the AFL playground and kick to kick on the ground after the game and we aim to again deliver great value for fans in 2014."
The GIANTS will play eight games at GIANTS Stadium at Sydney Olympic Park in 2014 including matches against Collingwood, Carlton, Essendon, Geelong and Richmond.
“This is a very exciting fixture for GIANTS and AFL fans in Sydney who will have the chance to see the GIANTS play against some of the biggest clubs in the competition," Matthews said.
"We also have a good spread of time slots for families with a mix of Saturday afternoon, twilight, Saturday night and Sunday matches at GIANTS Stadium."
The GIANTS will also play four matches at Star Track Oval Canberra, including their opening NAB Challenge match against the Swans under lights on February 20.
"We think this is another terrific fixture for Canberra kicking off with our opening NAB Challenge match against the Swans and then premiership matches against the Western Bulldogs, Port Adelaide and North Melbourne."
The GIANTS will also play a NAB Challenge match at Wagga Wagga for the second year in a row when they take on St Kilda at Robertson Oval on Saturday March 1.
Aside from three matches in Canberra, the GIANTS will travel nine times during 2014 with three matches at the MCG, two at Etihad Stadium and Patersons Stadium and one each at the Gabba, Metricon Stadium and the Adelaide Oval.
The GIANTS will play the Swans, Richmond, Adelaide, Melbourne and Western Bulldogs twice and all other clubs once.
