Sydney Swans co-captain Dane Rampe has declared "there’s no love lost" between the red and white and cross-city rival GWS ahead of Sydney Derby XVII. 

The Swans and Giants will write another chapter in the Harbour City feud as the clubs square off on Saturday night, locking horns for the seventh time at the SCG and 17^th overall.

Both Sydney and GWS will be eyeing a return to the winners’ circle in the Round 6 encounter – and if Rampe’s words are of any indication, the battle will be fierce.

“It’s a pretty important game for us in terms of importance to the season. I think the rivalry has genuinely built over the past few years, and I think the Giants have recently had the better of us,” Rampe said.

“There’s no love lost, it’s a big game for us and we will be going out with a high focus on intensity.”

Rampe has witnessed the rise of the Sydney Derby rivalry with interest, with the All Australian defender having grown up in Clovelly in Sydney’s east as a Swans fan.

Paul Kelly, Brett Kirk and Jude Bolton were among the many Sydney greats Rampe idolised in his childhood, and the 28-year-old’s AFL journey is now inspiring the youth of today.

GWS entered the competition in 2011 as the AFL expanded to an 18-club tournament, a replication of the local derbies established in Queensland, Adelaide and Perth.

And Rampe says the Sydney Derby rivalry has had a significant impact on the presence of footy in NSW.

“Being a local boy watching the game in NSW flourish as the Giants have made their strides – it’s been great for the game in general,” Rampe said.

“We’ll face off again on Saturday and it’s something we’re really looking forward to.”