AFL 2021: All the latest GWS Giants news, updates, previews ahead of Round 5

Josh Kelly and the Giants will seem a little different when they venture out on the SCG, but don’t be deceived by their looks as they aim to tear down their high-flying cross-town rivals.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 13: (L-R) Luke Parker of the Swans, Swans Coach, John Longmire, Giants Coach, Leon Cameron and Jacob Hopper of the Giants pose for a portrait during an AFL media opportunity ahead of Sydney Derby at Sydney Cricket Ground on April 13, 2021 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

Greater Western Sydney jet Josh Kelly is adamant the Giants still have the right mix of players to achieve his dream of winning a maiden AFL premiership.

GWS won its first match of the year on Saturday night, snapping a three-match losing streak with a 30-point defeat of Collingwood at the MCG despite missing significant star power.

The result followed stinging criticism the Giants received in recent weeks, amplified when captain Stephen Coniglio, Phil Davis and Matt de Boer went down in an otherwise encouraging loss to Melbourne.

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Luke Parker, John Longmire, Leon Cameron and Jacob Hopper and the trophy they will play for in Saturday’s Sydney Derby XX at SCG.

However, Kelly and co. felt they were close to a performance like what they produced against the Magpies, even with their least-experienced side since 2015.

“The criticism after Round 2 (against Fremantle) was absolutely warranted,” Kelly told The Daily Telegraph.

“We didn’t rock up with the intensity, the spark and the energy we want to play with, so we were really disappointed with that.

“But from that, we learned what’s required from us, week in, week out, and in Round 1 and Round 3 there were patches of that from a lot of our young guys and our senior guys.”

Kelly wants that momentum to continue in Saturday’s Sydney Derby XX against the Swans at the SCG, and he hasn’t set a ceiling on how far the Giants can go this year.

Jacob Hopper and Luke Parker know the stakes are high this weekend. Picture: Getty Images

A smile broke out as he discussed the clubs’ rivalry, which he first experienced as a spectator in Round 1, 2014, when the Giants knocked off the Swans at their fifth attempt.

Kelly made his AFL debut the next round.

“Ever since that game, I’ve really felt the energy in the contest and from the crowd that it’s a real occasion for Giants and Swans fans within NSW,” he said.

“They’re definitely physical contests. Historically, both teams play a pretty contested brand and it’s always been pretty hard fought in the midfield and there are great match-ups all over the field.

“You do want to win these games and take out the team across the bridge.”

Josh Kelly and the new jumper the Giants will wear against the Swans. Pictures: Toby Zerna

The Giants will be hoping the charcoal jumper will help them end the Swans’ unbeaten run.

GWS will unveil a special charcoal jumper for the derby — after a similar version proved hugely popular in the pre-season — and the plan is to wear it only in matches against Sydney.

“It’s really cool to have the derby jersey,” Kelly said.

“There’s been a lot of hype around it and I think the fans got a little bit of a taste of it through social media and praccy matches and whatnot.”

Kelly kicked a pair of goals in each of the past two games in a new high half-forward role, but hinted he might be set for a greater on-ball role this weekend.

Either way, there is fascination as to whether the Giants can spoil Sydney’s perfect record.

“They’ve been playing some outstanding football. They’re playing with energy and they’ve got a game style that’s suiting their team at the moment, so full credit to them,” he said.

“Our challenge is to try and not make it five and zip.

“We’re coming off a game where we thought we played some good football, but it’s another big test against the form team in the competition.”

Cameron desperate for derby victory

Among the niceties and bigger-picture talk of what Sydney Derby XX means to NSW football as a whole, Leon Cameron — if only for a moment — broke the theme.

The Greater Western Sydney coach and his Sydney Swans counterpart, John Longmire, otherwise fended off reporters’ attempts on Tuesday to get to the bottom of this decade-long rivalry.

Cameron not only wants to see 40,000 fans cram into the SCG on Saturday afternoon, but he wants this win badly — and not only because of his side’s 1-3 season record.

“You’d be lying to say you don’t want bragging rights,” Cameron said.

“That’s what a rivalry has to be. We’re only 10 years in and Sydney’s been here a lot longer than we have, and no doubt they would’ve built some rivalries with the Collingwoods and Hawthorns over the years in Grand Finals.

“Clubs that have been around for a long time probably have three or four rivalries. We’ve built one with the Swans.

“It took a little while, because it took us a while to come up to that part of it, but absolutely you want to win — it’s huge.”

Longmire chuckled at the line of questioning, but said the Sydney Derby was no longer a “manufactured” rivalry after some “monumental contests” across the years.

The Swans lead 12-7 after winning the first four clashes comfortably while the Giants established themselves, but it’s been back and forth since.

Two of those were finals and Cameron’s men won both of those, and only one match was decided inside 10 points.

This time, Sydney is unbeaten through four rounds, whereas GWS showed there was still a pulse in its season with an impressive victory over Collingwood on Saturday night after three straight losses.

Longmire sees them at a very similar stage, with an army of young players emerging in each side by necessity.

Giants coach Leon Cameron says bragging rights in the Harbour City count for something.

Swans coach John Longmire says Saturday’s clash would see several boys in their first derby.

“There will be six or seven boys on each team who are going through their first derby,” Longmire said.

“They’ve got the experience on both teams who have played in a number of them as well, and that mix in both teams adds up to a really interesting contest.

“That thrill of playing in big games, in front of a good crowd never wanes, particularly when you’ve got a local team up here that’s what makes it exciting.”

The coaches were flanked by two of their stars, Swans co-captain Luke Parker and Giants leadership group member Jacob Hopper.

Parker said the fact the respective playing groups would sometimes bump into each other on Sydney’s streets added to the enjoyment, and physicality, once game day rolled around.

Hopper also feels the added spice in this contest compared to other home and away matches.

“They’re always big games and it’s got that feel to it,” Hopper said.

“There’s definitely that little bit extra, which is always fun and why you play footy — for that bit of extra competitive spirit.”

Originally published as AFL 2021: All the latest GWS Giants news, updates, previews ahead of Round 5