SUMMARY
The Sydney Swans head into the fourth derby, and the first at the SCG, in solid form following wins over Carlton and Melbourne. The premiers know they need to keep winning if they are to stay in the hunt for the top four. But they have plenty of injury worries, with Sam Reid tearing his quad for a second time against the Demons, adding his name to a list that includes Adam Goodes, Lewis Jetta, Rhyce Shaw and Lewis Roberts-Thomson.
Their cross-town rivals are still searching for their first victory of 2013. GWS was extremely competitive against the Western Bulldogs in Canberra last weekend, leading at every change before succumbing by just four points. The Giants will also be buoyed by their previous clash with the Swans, when they overcame a poor start to get in front in the second term before ultimately falling short by 30 points.
WHERE AND WHEN: SCG, Sunday, July 14, 1.10pm
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide and odds
LAST MEETING
R1, 2013, Sydney Swans 16.10 (106) d GWS 11.10 (76) at ANZ Stadium
R14, 2012, Sydney Swans 19.18 (132) d GWS 5.8 (38) at ANZ Stadium
R1, 2012, Sydney Swans 14.16 (100) d GWS 5.7 (37) at ANZ Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. The Giants will need to crank up their defence if they are a chance to knock off the premiers for the first time. They concede an AFL-worst 137 points per game, while the Swans are second in the AFL at 75 points per contest.
2. The Swans are the AFL's top-ranked clearance side, averaging 44.1 per game, with the Giants sitting 14th with 35.8 per match.
3. Callan Ward had an unusually quiet day against the Bulldogs, dropping him from 24th to 28th overall in the Official AFL Player Ratings. He is still the highest ranked Giant. The Swans currently have two players in the top 10, Josh Kennedy (fifth) and Kieren Jack (eighth).
4. Kevin Sheedy will coach against the Swans for the 49th and final time. His record against the Sydney-based club is 27 wins, 20 losses and one draw.
5. While Sheedy has a strong record against the Swans, he was involved in the reigning premiers' biggest ever victory at the SCG – a 163-point belting of Essendon in round 17, 1987.
6. The Swans are the AFL's top tackling team again this season, laying 1061 for the year to date. The Giants have been a little down in that category in year two, ranked 17th with 798 tackles so far in 2013.
