The GIANTS’ round one team to face the Swans in Sydney Derby XXIII at Accor Stadium on Saturday is in.

Former GIANTS Academy graduate and new recruit Jarrod Brander will pull on the GIANTS jumper for the first time at AFL level after crossing from the Eagles in the off-season.

"It’s great,” coach Leon Cameron said.

“He’s had a full pre-season, he’s come from another club and you always want to impress when you come from another club. 

“He’s done a mountain of work, he’s as ready as he’ll ever be. He’s building up some really good synergy with Himmelberg, Riccardi and the like. He gets his opportunity on Saturday in a huge game for us.”

Key defender Lachlan Keeffe will make his official return from an ACL injury in round eight last year.

Youngsters Lachie Ash and Xavier O’Halloran have staked their spots on the wing while Tom Green and Connor Idun have continued their good form following breakout seasons in 2021.

Co-captain Stephen Coniglio will line up in the midfield alongside new skipper Josh Kelly, who will captain the side against the Swans on Saturday.

Key forward Jesse Hogan and All Australian Nick Haynes will play in a VFL practice match against the Swans on Saturday.

“With Nick, we’re managing some stomach issues that have come up in the past month or so,” Cameron said.

“He’s been assessed by a number of specialists to see if we can get to the bottom of them to allow him to compete at the highest level. 

"Right now he’s getting a fair bit of training in and he’s not far off, but he’s not quite there for AFL footy. He’s our All Australian and when he’s ready he’ll be in our team, that could be as early as next week.

“Jesse trained really well this week. He got through training but in the end we felt the interruptions to his training over the past couple of weeks have probably put him a session behind being ready for the game. 

“We know it’s going to be a high-intensity game as round ones always are. He’ll play some footy in the earlier game and hopefully get through and play round two.”

Cameron said the whole club is looking forward to the blockbuster season opener, where the cross-town rivals will also face off for the Lifeline Cup.

“The ground’s in really good nick and they have an unbelievable new scoreboard. We’re hoping GIANTS supporters and Swans supporters come out and see a unique event,” he said.

“We haven’t had a Derby in round one for a long time. The stakes are high.

“Hopefully we get a great crowd and our players are ready to put their best foot forward. We’ve had enough practice matches, it’s time to do what we do.”

Get your tickets for Sydney Derby XXIII HERE.