There's plenty on the line for both teams in the eighth Sydney derby, with the Swans needing a win to remain in touch with the top four, while for the GIANTS it's victory or season over.
GWS lost co-captain Phil Davis last week with a serious hamstring injury, while the Swans had star Luke Parker go down with a broken leg. There'll be heat in this one early given the stakes and the GIANTS will be out to use their pace to run the visitors off their feet.
The Swans have the edge in experience through the midfield, but speed might tip the scales in favour of GWS. This is the most important derby since their inaugural clash in 2012.
WHERE AND WHEN: Spotless Stadium, Saturday, 2.10pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
PAST FIVE TIMES
R3, 2015, Sydney Swans 16.15 (111) d Greater Western Sydney 12.18 (90) at the SCG
R15, 2014, Sydney Swans 15.16 (106) d Greater Western Sydney 8.12 (60) at the SCG
R1, 2014, Greater Western Sydney 15.9 (99) d Sydney Swans 9.13 (67) at Spotless Stadium
R16, 2013, Sydney Swans 24.27 (161) d Greater Western Sydney 5.12 (42) at the SCG
R1, 2013, Sydney Swans 16.10 (106) d Greater Western Sydney 11.10 (76) at ANZ Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. The GIANTS kicked themselves out of their clash with the Swans earlier this season when they booted 3.13 in the first half. Lance Franklin led the Swans with five goals and Isaac Heeney kicked four, while Dan Hannebery starred with 35 disposals.
2. The Swans are ranked second for uncontested possessions this season, averaging 251.5 per game; the GIANTS are equal fourth in this area with 235 per game.
3. From their seven clashes with the Swans, GWS has only managed one win, which came in round one, 2014 at Spotless Stadium.
4. The Swans continue to handball more than any other team; averaging 184.3 per game, with the next best being Hawthorn with 170.5.
5. Both teams have struggled in front of goal this season; the Swans are ranked 14th for accuracy at 47.6 per cent, while the GIANTS are 17th at 46.2 per cent.
6. Swans ball magnet Josh Kennedy has moved up to No.9 on the AFL's Official Player Ratings, with the GIANTS' highest ranked player, Callan Ward (19), his likely opponent this week.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR…
Will Hoskin-Elliott. The highly-rated youngster plays his 50th game in the derby and after a season to forget, needs to stand up in the most important game in the GIANTS' history. A shoulder injury delayed the 21-year-old's start to 2015 and since he returned to the senior side in round five, the No.4 draft pick has been disappointing. Hoskin-Elliott kicked 26 goals from 20 games last year but this season has booted just three in 10 games. He has the pace and skill to tear games apart and if GWS wants to stay in finals contention, this week is the perfect time for one of its young guns to produce.
PREDICTION: Greater Western Sydney by three points
The GIANTS take on the Swans in the Battle of the Bridge, Sydney Derby VIII, on Saturday at 2.10pm at Spotless Stadium. Tickets for this blockbuster match are selling fast and we strongly recommend you pre-purchase to avoid missing out.
Click here to get your tickets now
