Gone are the days of using youth and inexperience as an excuse for the GIANTS in Sydney Derbies.
That’s the message from coach Leon Cameron as they head into Sydney Derby X this Sunday.
“From 2012 there was no doubt there was a bunch of kids with a couple of senior players running around,” Cameron said.
“We’re five years in so we can’t use that excuse anymore.
“They’re probably the same age as us this year so we can’t sit away on Sunday and say the Swans are too old and too experience for us.”
GIANTS co-captain Phil Davis who has played in eight Sydney Derbies echoed Cameron’s message.
“Our first year in the competition they won the premiership so it was always going to be challenging,” he said.
“Over the last few years I think we’ve been far more competitive and no doubt the eight games to one tally isn’t something we’re proud of but we’re looking forward to rectifying that on Sunday.”
With Sydney sitting second on the ladder, the GIANTS face a tough task in shutting down a midfield including Dan Hannebery, Josh Kennedy and Luke Parker and the ever-present threat of Lance Franklin up forward.
The GIANTS are also coming off back-to-back losses against Adelaide and Geelong.
Cameron says the GIANTS' drop in form isn’t due to fatigue, they just need to put in a four quarter effort.
“We’ve just had some players not contributing at the level they have been in the earlier part of the year,” he said.
“I’m confident they can find their way back to form… we just need a bit more consistency across the 120 minutes.”
Defender Adam Kennedy is likely to miss this Sunday’s match because of shoulder soreness, but the GIANTS could welcome back experience campaigner Ryan Griffen from a back injury.
“He’s got to train really well this week though.” Cameron said.
“It’s a big ask to pick him off the back of six weeks not playing,
“He is a senior player, so that goes to his advantage but going and saying that the back injury he had restricted him for two or three of those weeks that he was off.”
Sydney Derby X is also shaping as the first ever sell out at Spotless Stadium with only standing room tickets remaining.
“To have a sell out here in Western Sydney at Spotless stadium, 25 thousand people to come to a game is awesome,” Cameron said.
“It’s just another step in the right direction that shows the AFL is coming and coming in a big way in NSW.“
