SUMMARY
The stakes are always high for any Sydney derby, but with the Swans winless for the season and the Giants flying, this will be a must-watch fixture on Saturday night. Another loss and it will be the first time since 1993 that the Swans have started 0-5, a year they went through three senior coaches by round seven and won just one game on their way to capturing the wooden spoon. GWS has beaten their cross-town rivals in the past two match-ups, with last year's qualifying final at ANZ Stadium just about the biggest win in the club's short history. With so many guns in form all over the ground the Giants will be tough to beat but the smaller SCG suits the home side, and with so much on the line, the Swans can never be counted out, especially if they can regain some injured stars for the crucial clash.
WHERE AND WHEN: SCG, Saturday, April 22, 7.25pm AEST
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
2QF, 2016, GWS 12.19 (91) d Sydney Swans 7.13 (55) at ANZ Stadium
R12, 2016, GWS 15.15 (105) d Sydney Swans 9.9 (63) at Spotless Stadium
R3, 2016, Sydney Swans 14.9 (93) d GWS 10.8 (68) at the SCG
R21, 2015, Sydney Swans 20.13 (133) d GWS 6.8 (44) at Spotless Stadium
R3, 2015, Sydney Swans 16.15 (111) d GWS 12.18 (90) at the SCG
THE SIX POINTS
1. The Giants dominated the second half in the 2016 first qualifying final, kicking seven goals to two. Jeremy Cameron finished with four goals and Lachie Whitfield starred with 27 disposals, while Stephen Coniglio had 26 and seven clearances.
2. GWS is the best clearance team in 2017, averaging 44.3 per game, well ahead of the Swans, who are averaging 39. In centre clearances the Giants are ranked second and the Swans equal 15th.
3. Sydney and the Giants clash for the 12th time and the Swans hold a clear advantage winning eight games to three; the Giants have won the last two ending the Swans run of four consecutive wins.
4. GWS has been one of the higher scoring sides so far in 2017, kicking 69 goals in total. The Swans have really struggled to score, with only 46 goals, and have yet to kick 100 points in a game.
5. Sydney is undefeated from four clashes with the Giants at the SCG; the closest margin is 21 points in round three, 2015. In the four games at the SCG so far GWS has struggled to score, averaging only 65 points.
6. Star Sydney midfielders Josh Kennedy (second), Luke Parker (12th) and Dan Hannebery (20th) are all ranked in the top 20 of the AFL Player Rating, but GWS trio Dylan Shiel (22nd), Tom Scully (63rd) and Josh Kelly (71st) are in the better form and could give their side the advantage.
IT’S A BIG WEEK FOR… Heath Grundy
The veteran key defender will have the big task of keeping Jonathon Patton quiet, and will need plenty of help after the GWS forward booted six straight last week. The Swans midfield will be the key, and if they can't put enough pressure on the hard-running Giants, Grundy could be in for a long night.
