The Sydney Swans will face arch-rivals the GWS Giants at UTAS Stadium on Saturday afternoon in an Elimination Final.
Co-captain Josh Kennedy (hamstring) and midfielder Callum Mills (achillies) will unfortunately miss the clash due to injury after not being named in the side earlier in the week, however coming into the side to replace the duo are a couple of young and exciting players.
Chad Warner returns to the side from injury and will play his first AFL final on Saturday. Warner impressed early in the season with his pace and tenacity through the midfield and won a Rising Star nomination in Round 3.
After missing part of the season with a shin injury, he returned with some solid performances in VFL scratch matches and will now return to the senior side for the must-win game on Saturday.
22-year old QBE Sydney Swans Academy product James Bell has also been called up and will play his first AFL final and his 12th game for the 2021 season.
GWS Giants captain Stephen Coniglio will return for the clash in one of four changes to the opposition side, alongside ruck Shane Mumford, utility Sam Reid and young midfielder Tom Green.
Saturday's Elimination Final will mark the third 'Sydney Derby' final after facing off in the 2016 Qualifying Final and the 2018 Elimination Final.
Season 2021 has thrown big challenges to both Sydney teams who were forced out of NSW due to the Covid-19 situation and both have been on the road for over two months.
WHERE TO WATCH AND FOLLOW
The match commences at 3.20pm AEST on Saturday afternoon and will be broadcast on Channel 7, Fox Sports and Kayo.
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STATS
For the third time, Sydney will meet GWS in the finals, with the Giants victorious in both finals appearances (a 2016 QF and 2018 Elimination Final). However, Sydney holds the head to head advantage between these two teams, with 13 wins from their past 21 clashes.
The last time they met, Sydney produced one of the club’s greatest comeback victories to claim a 26-point victory in Round 18.
Sitting sixth on the ladder after the regular season, Sydney enter this clash with plenty of confidence after 7 wins in their past 8 games.
GWS have won 4 of their last 5 games and had a two-point victory between the two sides in the Round 5 meeting at the SCG earlier this season.
KEY QUOTES
JOHN LONGMIRE
"They are good quality young players and both will get a taste of finals footy," Longmire said.
"Chad is a massive competitor and was good for us early in the season and he's been out because he was injured for a significant amount of time. We feel like he's ready to go now.
"Belly has played a number of games for us this year and gives us some really hard, gut running which is going to be really important."
"It's great to be playing finals and both clubs from Sydney have done a good job to get to this point," Longmire said.
"The Giants have been through challenges this year as well. They are a quality team and we know they play well so it will be a great game.
"There's a lot on the line for both teams and I am sure b
oth will be giving it their best."
"We are always thinking of our fans in NSW and Victoria who are doing it particularly tough at the moment, but we are really excited to get down to Launceston and play in front of our Tasmanian fans," Longmire said.
