Cheer, cheer! The Sydney Derby is here and we're gearing up for a fiery contest against the GWS GIANTS at the SCG this Saturday. Catch up on all the news dominating our headlines this week, including a milestone match and exciting 25th Derby, presented by Channel 7.
Injury Update
John Longmire has confirmed the side will be without Matt Roberts and Robbie Fox when the side faces GWS Giants.
Roberts was subbed off the field during the second quarter against Geelong and did not return, while Fox is currently being managed as per the AFL Concussion Guidelines.
"We won’t have Fox available this week – he failed his HIA. We just have to get it done and deal with what we can control. Whether that’s a young squad like we had on the weekend, against a really experienced, hardened team, or player availability," Longmire said earlier in the week.
The pair join young midfielder joins Joel Amartey on the injury list, who has commenced rehabilitation for a hamstring strain.
Lifeline Cup
The Sydney Swans and GWS Giants will once again play for the Lifeline Cup this Saturday. The Sydney Derby proudly supports Lifeline to raise awareness and funds for mental health and suicide prevention in Australia.
“We have to great organisations, the Swans and the Giants, who are really committed to philosophy that mental health is just as important as physical health," Lifeline CEO Colin Seery expressed at a press conference on Wednesday.
"On the back of the last couple of years the demand for our service is at a 60-year high... the Lifeline Cup is important to get our message across for suicide prevention and that mental health is critically important."
Show your support this Sydney Derby and buy a virtual seat in honour of those who can’t be at the game - volunteers, loved ones who are struggling and in memory of those we have lost.
Donate through the Lifeline Cup, here.
Sydney Derby in numbers
Sydney Derby XXV will descend onto the SCG this Saturday for a thrilling matchup between cross-town rivals.
Head-to-head: The Sydney Swans have enjoyed 15 wins from the Giants’ 9.
2022: The Sydney Swans won both derbies during the 2022 AFL season.
Brett Kirk Medals: Luke Parker holds the record for the most Brett Kirk medals with five. He won both in 2022.
Biggest Crowd: The biggest derby crowd is 60,222 for the 2016 Qualifying Final at Stadium Australia. The biggest SCG is 40,350 for the 2018 Elimination Final.
John Longmire: Key Quotes
Senior coach John Longmire spoke with the media ahead of the Round 7 clash. Despite favourable stats against the Giants he's gearing up for a tough game, praising the club’s “different style of play”.
“I think they’re showing some really good signs and they’ve got some terrific players,” he said. “They’ll be competitive, the games we play against the Giants always are, so we expect that this week.”
View the pull press conference, here.
Swans duo set to play 50 game milestones
Young gun Errol Gulden is expected to play his 50th career game in Round 7 against the Giants while Peter Ladhams will bring up his 50th AFL game (his 18th with the Swans).
Gulden, a QBE Sydney Swans Academy product made his debut for the Swans in Round 1 of the 2021 season and has booted a total of 34 goals in his 49 games to date as well as picking up a Rising Star nomination in his debut season.
The Sydney Swans are gearing up to go head-to-head with the GWS Giants in Derby XXV this weekend. The cross-town rivalry will be reignited this Saturday at 2.10pm. Tickets are on sale now – get yours today!
