With two days until the Sydney Derby, AFL fever has officially hit the city with the traditional AFL captains’ launch taking place at the Museum of Contemporary Art this morning.

Swans co-captain Jarrad McVeigh represented Sydney at the launch, which featured captains from all 18 AFL clubs.

McVeigh said it was a great opportunity for Sydney to play host to the season launch, in what is the midst of a huge week for AFL in New South Wales.

“The launch of the whole season in Sydney spreads the word of AFL leading into a big week for us so, it’s going to be a good day,” McVeigh told SwansTV.

“It’s an exciting week leading up to round one and we’re all excited to play a game in Sydney and it’s going to be a big weekend and I’m looking forward to it.

“I also don’t have to fly down to Melbourne for this, which is a good thing!”

McVeigh said he is looking forward to Saturday night’s cross-town rivalry and hopes the first Sydney Derby will be met with great support from Swans members and supporters.

“Hopefully there is a big crowd,” he said.

“We want as many Swans supporters out there as we can and hopefully there is a big crowd and we get off to a good start, which is the most important thing.

“We want to start off with a good win.”

The midfielder said his team is ready for the GWS challenge this weekend, and added that the Swans are also prepared for any unexpected match tactics the AFL’s newest side might employ.

“(Our preparations) have been really good and we’re confident in our game plan and the players around us,” he said.

“We’ve done our homework on their game plans and I don’t think they will change a lot of their stuff.

“We know how they play and we will play accordingly.”

Jarrad McVeigh and the other AFL captains at today's AFL captain's launch