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The Sydney Swans will be out for revenge in the battle of the bridge against the Greater Western Sydney Giants at the SCG. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:40pm AEST.
When these two teams met in Round 1, the Giants caused the upset of the decade, defeating the Swans by 32 points.
It was their first-ever victory against their cross town rivals.
Since that match though, the two teams have gone in opposite directions on the AFL ladder.
After winning just one of their first four matches, the Swans bounced back, winning the next nine matches – five against top-eight teams – to skyrocket into second position in the ladder. Heading into this weekend, they are the bookies favourite for the premiership.
The resurgence has been led by Lance Franklin, who has returned to the form that won him the Coleman Medal in 2008 and 2011. In the three losses Sydney had between Rounds 1 and 4, Franklin averaged one goal a game.
This week containing him is a task for the Giants, who have turned around their season in the last few weeks.
After winning two of their first three matches for the season, the Giants lost their next eight matches to move to the bottom of the ladder. The turning point was Richmond in Round 10. A loss by 113 points to the Tigers was the trigger for the team to take a long hard look at themselves.
In Round 13, they broke their losing streak, with a 45-point win against the Lions at the Gabba. It was their first ever win away from home and moved them off the bottom of the ladder.
Last week, they won back-to-back matches for the first time in their history, with an eight-point win over Carlton.
This week is a different proposition though. Sydney is a different beast to the team they faced in Round 1. They are in better form, are far stronger, and far fitter.
Ben McGlynn returns to the team after concussion, with Kurt Tippett also in the team after overcoming a knee problem. Rhyce Shaw and Tom Derickx are the two who will miss out.
For the Giants, Jeremy Cameron returns after serving his suspension, with Tom Boyd the unlucky Giant to miss the battle of the bridge.
The two key battles for the match will be the midfield and Phil Davis against Lance Franklin. The last time these two teams met, Davis injured his kidney, but held Franklin.
The other battle will be in the midfield. The young Giants, led by Callan Ward, against the experienced Swans’ midfield. In Round 1 the Giants won this battle, winning the contested possession and the disposal count.
Prediction
The Swans will win the match and send a message that they are still the best in NSW.
Sydney by 45 points.
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