Assistant coach Brett Kirk believes effort and attitude will be telling factors in Saturday’s Sydney Derby IX.
The Swans have already highlighted that both were missing in the last battle between the two sides – the second round of the NAB Challenge – in which the Giants enjoyed a 34-point win at Drummoyne Oval.
In the wake of GWS’ strong performance against Geelong in Round 2, Kirk says a “workmanlike performance” will be required to counter the Swans’ cross-town rivals.
“Over the past two weeks, our attitude has been really good. If it’s at a maximum, you create opportunities. If it’s not, then any team can get a hold of you,” he said.
“You only have to look at last week’s game, (GWS) were very good. Inside the contest, they won the contested ball. They beat them on the outside with their run, which gave them lots of opportunities forward.
“For us, we have to make sure we win the ball at the source. We’ve got a hardened midfield who have done that for us the last two weeks and will continue to do that.”
Kirk also hopes the side can continue to pile on the goals in light of the Swans recording two scores in excess of 130 points.
Spearhead Lance Franklin has strung four-goal hauls back-to-back, contributing almost 20 per cent to the Swans’ points so far in 2016, while ruck-forwards Kurt Tippett and Callum Sinclair combined for seven goals against Carlton.
HIGHLIGHTS: Relive the Swans' 60-point win over Carlton at Etihad Stadium
But as Kirk pointed out, the onus hasn’t just fallen on the forwards. Rather, the Swans’ scoring power has been a by-product of the hard work done at the opposite end and through the middle of the ground.
“We had 10 goal-kickers in each of the two games which is really significant,” he said.
“And we’re only as good as the supply coming from the midfield and defence. They’re playing a really strong brand of football and they’re getting the ball into our forward line a lot.
“The forwards are holding up their end of the bargain to create a contest, get it to ground, apply heaps of pressure, share the ball around, be selfless and take our opportunities.”
The Swans hold sway with seven wins from the eight previous encounters with the Giants, with the only loss coming in Round 1, 2014, at Spotless Stadium.
