Sydney Swans coach John Longmire is anticipating a new rivalry forming between his side and the West Coast Eagles.

After years of history between the Swans and Eagles, Longmire said it is now time to look to both clubs’ up-and-coming youngsters to continue on the tradition.

“I think now it’s about (Lewis) Jetta and (Dan) Hannebery and some of those newer kids coming through versus (West Coast’s) younger kids,” he said.

“They’ve got some real quality young kids through their midfield that they’ve been able to pick up through their drafting.

“Hopefully that next generation of players coming through can form their own rivalry over the years and really start to play some tough games and big games.”

The Sydney versus West Coast fixture was definitely one to watch between 2005 and 2007, with six consecutive matches between the two sides decided by four points or less.

The Swans won their long-awaited premiership in 2005 by four points, before the Eagles hit back with a one-point Grand Final win the following year.

The two teams boasted big names like Adam Goodes, Barry Hall and Brett Kirk for the Swans, while Chris Judd, Daniel Kerr and Ben Cousins all featured for the Eagles.

Longmire said while the Goodes/Judd match-up of the mid-noughties sparked the interest of audiences across the nation, there will now be some very different match-ups on field.

“I don’t think it will be Juddy taking on Goodsey this time and I don’t think it will be Goodsey/Kerr either this weekend,” he said.

“When we went over there, some of those games were outstanding and I think from a football viewer sense watching Goodes versus Judd was magnificent.

“I can certainly understand the football viewers liking to watch those players going head-to-head, but now it’s about the newer kids coming through.”

There have been more than a few changes since those glory days, with key personnel from both sides moving on.

From the Swans, just four players in the current squad - Lewis Roberts-Thomson, Adam Goodes, Ryan O’Keefe and Jude Bolton - took the field in the 2005 premiership team.

The following year, only three more current Swans players - Jarrad McVeigh, Nick Malceski and Ted Richards - played a role in the 2006 Grand Final against the Eagles.

The Eagles have also experienced a period of change, with just seven of their current list - Adam Selwood, Darren Glass, Andrew Embley, Quinten Lynch, Dean Cox, Sam Butler and Beau Waters - taking part in their 2006 premiership winning team.

In Perth this week, West Coast captain Glass agreed with Longmire’s sentiments about the upcoming clash, saying this year’s match has a new feel.

"We're excited to take Sydney on, they're a good side and we're looking forward to the challenge, but it doesn't feel like previous encounters," Glass said.

"I think the teams have moved on. The teams have changed a lot since the Grand Final days, but Sydney are still a very good football side.”