Leon Cameron says it will be “on for young and old” when the GIANTS take on the Swans in Sydney Derby VI at the SCG this Saturday night.
The GIANTS sensationally upset the Swans with a 32-point win at Spotless Stadium in Round One.
After a slow start to the season, the Swans have won nine games in a row, while the GIANTS are coming off consecutive wins for the first time in the club’s history.
But Cameron says ladder positions will count for very little come Saturday
“A derby is a derby and it’s on,” he said. “It’s on for young and old and we look forward to that. It’s a challenge that we’re right up to.”
“There’s always going to be a little bit more in these games because we’re cross-town rivals and it’s going to be no different for this one.
“These are the games you want to play in. It’s an A-grade game and I think our players have earned the right in the last two-and-a-half years to play in a real A-grade game.”Cameron faces the dilemma of changing a winning side, with All-Australian full forward Jeremy Cameron completing full training on Wednesday.
“He (Jeremy) trained pretty well,” Cameron said. “He did the whole session so it all depends how he pulls up tomorrow. It gives us a selection dilemma going forward for this Saturday night.
Vice-Captain Tom Scully will miss this week’s game with a hamstring injury but Cameron is pleased by the performance of the players who have stepped up to take their roles.
“Having Tom and Jeremy out, they’re obviously quality players for our footy club but the guys that came in, Tom Boyd ... played his best game for the footy club and there are guys that are stepping up, coming in and staying for two or three weeks, and the weekend was no different.”
Cameron said his side will not be intimidated by the Swans, or the form of their key forward Lance Franklin and will be focusing on the opportunity presented to the youngest side in the competition.
"He (Franklin) is an awesome player and he's in terrific form," Cameron said. "But he's just one of a number of players up there.
"If you just concentrate on Franklin, you let (Sam) Reid go. If you concentrate on Reid, you let (Mike) Pyke or (Tom) Derickx or (Adam) Goodes go.
"They've got a number of talented players up there that can play some great footy.
"The Swans are very, very well rounded, forward, back and mid, but we feel as though we're making some significant ground as well in those areas.
“The last two weeks, the back-to-back wins, are a reward for the hard work we've put in.
"It's a great chance to take that form into Saturday night against a side obviously in red-hot form.
"It's a great opportunity."
