As the GIANTS get set take on the Swans at Spotless Stadium on Sunday afternoon in Sydney Derby X, we’ve been keeping a close eye on all the news coming from across town this week.
GIANTS coach Leon Cameron and co-captain Phil Davis came together with Swans counterparts John Longmire and Kieren Jack to launch Derby week at Spotless Stadium on Tuesday.
There were plenty of niceties with both sides talking up their opposition.
“They’re a very attacking team, they’re quick off that half-back line and very good around the stoppages. They are elements we’ll certainly try to curtail,” said Swans co-captain Kieren Jack.
“They’ve got some young guys with some real run and bounce. We can’t be allowing them to dictate the way they play, especially early.
“That midfield battle in there, they’ve got some quality while we’ve got some quality, so it’ll be a good challenge.”
Longmire rated the GIANTS' form as "pretty solid" despite successive away losses to Adelaide and Geelong.
"We know they are the No.2 attacking team in the competition as far as goals scored," Longmire said.
"They are very good from stoppages. They are a quality team and we'll need to be playing really well to beat them."
The Swans’ other co-captain Jarrad McVeigh confirmed that while the two clubs were happy to play nice off the field, there was plenty of heat in the battle on the field.
“On the field the rivalry with GWS is definitely building; we always have a tough contest every time we play them,” he wrote in the Daily Telegraph.
“The improvement they’ve made this year has been considerable. You go through their team and they’ve got a number of very, very good players and we’re very wary of them.
“We understand it’s going to be a huge game and one we’re up for.
“They’re a quality team and we’ll be doing our homework to get on top of them on Sunday afternoon.”
Swan Ben McGlynn told reporters on Wednesday that his side couldn't afford to focus too much on Heath Shaw in Sunday afternoon's derby, despite the vice-captain’s stellar start to the year.
"He's a great player and a leader of their defensive six," McGlynn said of Shaw.
"He starts their rebound so we need to keep a close eye on him, but we need to respect all of them.
"Like all their back six, we'll put a bit of work into them and hopefully not let them get too much of the footy.
"As a team we just need to put pressure on them."
Swans youngster Callum Mills will return to the side after being rested from the Gold Coast match.
The Swans will wait until later in the week to make a decision on forward George Hewett, who suffered concussion last weekend, while Sam Reid looks to be spending another weekend in the reserves after only playing a half so far this season.
The GIANTS take on the Swans in their 100th AFL match and Sydney Derby X at Spotless Stadium on Sunday at 4.40pm. There are limited standing room tickets remaining, click here for more.
