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A barnstorming Lance Franklin has lifted Sydney to a 20-point victory over GWS at Spotless Stadium, booting five goals and spearheading a second-half comeback that could have major ramifications in the race to the AFL finals.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
GWS Giants 8.12.60
Sydney Swans 11.14.80
Spotless Stadium will host a huge Derby on Saturday afternoon as the GWS Giants and Sydney Swans battle it out, with top eight placings on the line. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 4:35pm (AEST).
The Giants are coming off a tough 14-point win over Adelaide in chilly Canberra last Saturday night.
It was a disastrous night injury-wise though, as GWS lost another four players – one before the game – and face more personnel challenges on their road to finals.
Sydney also had a great victory last weekend, beating Melbourne by nine points at the MCG.
After a slow start, the Swans dominated the second term, working their way in front and staying there for the remainder of the game.
In team news, GWS have lost Josh Kelly (concussion), Sam Reid (hamstring) and Heath Shaw (knee) to injuries from last weekend’s clash against the Crows.
Jeremy Finlayson, Daniel Lloyd and Harry Perryman will return to the Giants’ line-up in the injured trio’s place.
Sydney also have two forced changes for the Derby: Alex Johnson (knee – season) and Nick Smith (hamstring – six weeks) will miss the game.
Zak Jones has been included in the side, after serving a two-match suspension, while Dan Robinson also returns to the AFL team after a 46-disposal game in the NEAFL last weekend.
The Derby ledger currently sits at 10-4 in favour of Sydney; the Swans have won the last two clashes, while the Giants won three in a row in 2016-17, including the 2016 Qualifying Final.
Prediction
There are intriguing match-ups all over the ground in this Derby; Phil Davis on Lance Franklin at one end, Dane Rampe on Jeremy Cameron at the other, and then Rory Lobb up against Callum Sinclair in the ruck.
It’s a Derby with so much on the line, as a win for either side puts them in top-four contention.
Talking about the Giants’ injury toll has become repetitive, but no matter the circumstances they’ve found a way to win nine of their last ten matches and although it should be close, I think they’ll continue that run today.
GWS by five points.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 4:35pm (AEST).
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