KEVIN Sheedy has ramped up the mind games ahead of the round one clash with the Sydney Swans, warning the reigning premiers to disrespect his Giants at their peril.
Greater Western Sydney will play the Swans on March 30 at ANZ Stadium in the opening round of the premiership season, in what has been dubbed the 'Battle of the Bridge'.
After the final round of NAB Cup action was complete on Saturday - the Giants beat St Kilda by 16 points and the Swans lost to Port Adelaide by 30 - the veteran coach promised his crosstown rivals would have a contest on their hands in two weeks' time.
"It will be a tough opener. I would think the Swans will have a decent game on their hands," Sheedy said.
"I don't think they want to think they can treat us with any disrespect because we'll smell that very quickly.
"I read some of the comments about where their fitness was at and that sort of thing but they're a damn good side, the Swans, but we're better than last year too.
"It will be a terrific game in round one and I hope we get a lot of fans there to see a very spirited contest."
The Giants played the Swans twice in their inaugural season in the AFL, losing by 63 points in round one and then 94 in round 14.
The Swans went on to win the premiership over Hawthorn, but this year, were beaten by the Giants by 24 points in the opening round of the NAB Cup after they started pre-season training late because of their extended 2012 season.
Sheedy said the Giants would head into the game with a strong list to pick from, having got through Saturday's game with no injuries.
"Our seconds had a really good win and we had five senior players who played pretty well in the reserves, so for the first time we will have pressure at selection - we've never had that," he said.
"Some players will be disappointed at missing out and that's the first time we've probably got that.
"If Chad Cornes had been around and those sorts of boys, the pressure would be on even more but we're very happy with some of the younger players coming through.
"I know [the Swans] are a strong side but we're getting stronger with every match that we play."
The Giants' third selection from last year's NAB AFL Draft, Lachie Plowman, was among their best against the Saints and did his chances of a round one debut no harm.
Lachie Plowman is a defender in NAB AFL Fantasy. Register your team at our AFL Fantasy Hub.
Jennifer Phelan is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow her on Twitter @AFL_JenPhelan.
Sheedy Warns Swans
KEVIN Sheedy has ramped up the mind games ahead of the round one clash with the Sydney Swans, warning the reigning premiers to disrespect his Giants at their peril.