Young Swan Will Hayward says the experience and youth of Sydney’s dynamic forward line have combined perfectly in 2018.

Hayward, Tom Papley, Ben Ronke, Tom McCartin and a number of other youngsters are set to join forces with experienced forward duo Lance Franklin and Kieren Jack as the Swans face the Giants on Saturday.

Hayward is in his second season at the Swans and on the verge of his first AFL finals campaign ahead of an elimination final at the SCG.

The 19-year-old said Sydney’s young and experienced personnel had made for an ideal mix forward of the ball this season.

“It’s been really enjoyable playing in a young forward line and obviously Buddy and Kieren are down there as well,” Hayward told SwansTV.

“The balance is really good, with the experience and young boys, so it’s been a really enjoyable year for me.”

Hayward became the 11^th-youngest player in VFL/AFL history to reach 50 goals as the Swans eclipsed the Giants in Round 22.

Franklin has booted 57 majors in 2018 to be leading the way for the Swans in front of goal, with Hayward (28) next best and Luke Parker (24) rounding out the top three.

As Hayward made his mark on history in Round 22, Franklin moved into eighth on the all-time VFL/AFL goal-kicking leaderboard, overtaking Hawthorn great Leigh Matthews and finishing the night on 917 career majors.

Hayward says Franklin, who was last week named captain of the 2018 All-Australian side, shows the way for the young Swans forwards.

“He puts a lot of confidence into us to play our brand of football,” Hayward said.

“If we do something wrong he tells us not to worry about it. He gives us a lot of confidence to play and really enjoy our footy. Off the field as well, the way he teaches us and directs us is great." 

Saturday’s elimination final will mark the third time Sydney and GWS have clashed this season, with the Swans scraping home in Round 3 and Round 22.

It will mark the second time the fierce rivals have met in finals football, with the Giants claiming victory in a 2016 qualifying final in a cutthroat contest.

Hayward said the Swans were headed for another gruelling encounter.

“I’m expecting a really high-pressure brand of footy, which the Giants never fail to bring,” Hayward said.

“We’ll need to match that and it’ll be a pretty red-hot game.

“They’re going to bring a few good players back in, which we need to be aware of. But we’ve got systems in place and I’m confident they will hold up.”