Bragging rights are on the line as we host the red-hot Swans in a fiery clash at ENGIE Stadium for Sydney Derby XXVIII. 

Match Details   

GIANTS v Swans 
Saturday, June 22 at 4:35pm 
ENGIE Stadium | Wangal Country 

What it Means for the GIANTS    

The GIANTS will be looking to do what only one other side has been able to do this season when they face off with the ladder-leading Swans (12-1) on Saturday.

Sitting 5^th at 8-5 ahead of the clash, the GIANTS will enter the 28^th Sydney Derby with renewed confidence after overcoming a recent form slump to record an impressive 22-point win over the Power last week.

Despite a slow start, the Orange Tsunami showed passages of its surging best against the Power as the GIANTS outscored the visitors nine goals to three after quarter-time to register an important victory at home to jump to fifth spot. 

Several GIANTS starred in the win ahead of Saturday’s Battle of the Bridge, with returning vice-captain Josh Kelly (27 disposals, one goal) instrumental alongside Toby Bedford (16 disposals, one goal) who shone in a surprise tagging role on Port star Zak Butters. 

Having been hit hard by injuries over the past four-to-six weeks, the GIANTS could regain some reinforcements for Saturday’s spiteful showdown, with dashing defender Lachie Ash (calf) and star vice-captain Stephen Coniglio (shoulder) both a chance to play if they can get through Thursday’s main training session.

The Opposition 

The Swans will enter Saturday’s Battle of the Bridge with a 12-1 record - their best start to a season since 1918 - to firmly establish themselves as the premiership fancy after 14 rounds. 

Riding a nine-game winning streak following their only loss to the Tigers in round three, the Swans most recent outing saw them take down the Crows by 42 points at Adelaide Oval last Saturday.

Down by 16 points late in the third and in danger of an upset defeat, the Swans kicked into gear to kick the next 10 goals of the match as they cruised to a seven-goal win.

Joel Amartey was the big talking point out of the victory, with the Swans forward kicking 9.1 from 10 disposals in a match-winning performance.

Sitting three games clear on top of the ladder, the Swans will be hoping they can bring up their 10^thstraight victory in the best possible fashion – with victory over the GIANTS.  

Recent History   

The GIANTS will have to reverse a recent trend if they’re to hear the big big sound on Saturday night after falling to the Swans in four of the last five meetings. 

The most recent meeting between the sides saw the Swans prevail by 29 points in wet conditions at the SCG in round eight. 

The GIANTS got off to a strong start in the clash to hold a 15-point lead at the first break but were outscored 12 goals to five from there to go down 14.14 (98) to 10.9 (69). 

Sparks flew in the contest after GIANT Callum Brown laid a high bump on Tom McCartin which resulted in a three-week suspension for the Irishman, while Tom Green missed most of the match after being subbed out early with an ankle injury.

Key Match-Up: Bedford Blanket? 

Last week Adam Kingsley pulled off a masterstroke move as he assigned small forward Toby Bedford to a midfield tagging role on Port star Zak Butters. 

Despite being more accustomed to creating goals inside-50, Bedford shone in the role in what was his 50th AFL game to pick up the 10 coaches votes as held Butters to just 17 touches and little impact on the game.

With the Swans possessing three of this season’s best midfielders in Errol Gulden, Isaac Heeney, and Chad Warner, could Bedford be utilised again to blanket one of the key Swans on Saturday?

Another match-up to keep an eye on his whoever takes Joel Amartey as he looks to back up his career-best nine goal outing against the Crows last week.

GIANTS Player to Watch: Josh Kelly

Last week the GIANTS’ Rolls Royce Josh Kelly made his return from a month out with a calf injury and the star vice-captain wasted no time in showing exactly what we’ve all been missing. 

The smooth-moving midfielder showed no signs of rust to play a pivotal role in the win over the Power as he finished with 27 disposals and a crucial late goal to help seal the win.

A two-time club champion, Kelly’s run and carry and his elite disposal and decision-making are key ingredients to the Orange Tsunami and the GIANTS will be hoping their silky star can produce another powerful performance on Saturday to help take down the Swans. 

In the Mix  

Ash and Coniglio are both in contention to take on the Swans pending they get through training on Thursday, while James Peatling leads a number of GIANTS pressing their claims through the VFL.  

Team Selection 

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

Rehab Report   

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

Where to Watch  

Saturday’s match will be shown live and free on 7 Mate from 4:30pm in NSW and the ACT, as well as nationally on Fox Footy and Kayo.

Be part of the #BigBigSound in 2024 - For all the latest news, follow @GWSGIANTS on social media: Facebook, X (Twitter) and Instagram.

The Sydney surge has overpowered the 'Orange Tsunami' with a 10-goal blitz that set up a convincing 27-point triumph over the GIANTS at a packed ENGIE Stadium.

The Swans were a class above as they stepped through the gears, although once they took their foot off the pedal late the GIANTS added five straight goals to add respectability to a 15.12 (102) to 11.9 (75) result on Saturday.

It wasn't pretty early but the Swans broke their duck of sluggish starts that had seen them trailing at the first change in their past four matches. The ladder leaders instead went into the break with a three-point advantage, and it was little surprise what was to come next.

After the GIANTS took the lead with a Jesse Hogan major, the Swans unleashed seven goals on the bounce to break the game open and hold a commanding advantage at the main break.

The Swans then booted three goals in five minutes once play resumed to blow away the GIANTS and move to 13-1 for their best win-loss record at this stage of a season since 1918.

Errol Gulden took his turn to play the leading role in the Swans' star-studded midfield while gathering 41 disposals with 973 metres gained and a goal. 

The 21-year-old was awarded his third consecutive Brett Kirk Medal to equal the record stretch of being named best player afield in a Sydney derby also held by suspended teammate Luke Parker.

While Isaac Heeney (23 disposals) continued his rich vein of form in the Swans midfield, fellow onballer James Rowbottom was arguably even more pivotal in the battle around the clinches.

The tackling machine finished with a career-high 31 disposals along with 11 clearances, as the Swans had too many options at the stoppages as well as winners in all parts of the ground.

Brodie Grundy (28 disposals, 32 hitouts) was essentially like another midfielder for the Swans as their prized ruck recruit dominated Kieren Briggs (13, 28).

After impressing in his first attempt at a lockdown role last week, Toby Bedford went straight to Chad Warner and limited the Swans dynamo's impact through the first half.

But Warner got off the leash once the GIANTS had to chase the game and finished with 20 touches and two goals including a sublime set shot from outside 50m and on the wrong side of the boundary line. 

Tom Green played a lone hand at times in the GIANTS' midfield, gathering 35 disposals with 15 of those coming before the first change. 

But as the Swans piled on the goals either side of half-time, the GIANTS' onball bull was often forced to play a kick behind play and later had Rowbottom as a minder.

Finn Callaghan (27 disposals) added polish for the GIANTS, while Lachie Whitfield (25) and Harry Himmelberg (20) battled hard in a defence that was often under siege.

But it was not nearly enough to prevent the GIANTS losing for the fifth time in their past seven matches, and the question remains over which team can stop the Swans.

GIANTS                                             2.1     3.3       7.4        11.9 (75)
SYDNEY                                         2.4     9.7     13.10     15.12 (102)  

GOALS

GIANTS: Ward 2, Riccardi 2, Gruzewski 2, Thomas, Kelly, Hogan, Greene, Daniels
Sydney: Warner 2, Papley 2, McLean 2, Hayward 2, McInerney, McDonald, Lloyd, Jordon, Gulden, Cleary, Adams

BEST

GIANTS: Green, Whitfield, Himmelberg, Callaghan, Ward
Sydney: Gulden, Rowbottom, Grundy, Heeney, Warner, Adams, Blakey

INJURIES

GIANTS: Nil
Sydney: Nil

SUBSTITUTES

GIANTS: James Peatling (replaced Ryan Angwin in the final quarter)
Sydney: Caiden Cleary (replaced Lewis Melican in the final quarter)

Crowd: 19,751 at Engie Stadium