Rivalry grows as GWS Giants and Sydney Swans to meet in fourth final in eight years

Ahead of GWS and Sydney’s fourth finals clash in eight years, Giants star Josh Kelly wonders whether the ‘Battle of the Bridge’ is the most fierce rivalry in the AFL.

Josh Barnes

@Josh__Barnes

2 min read

August 26, 2024 - 5:40PM

News Sport Network

The GWS Giants and Sydney Swans will meet in the finals for the fourth time in eight years. Picture: Phil Hillyard

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Veteran Giant Josh Kelly has pondered if a fourth final in eight years makes the rivalry between the two Sydney sides the best in the AFL.

In the wake of a Showdown in Adelaide so bitter that the Port Adelaide mascot was punched in the face, a fan complained to police about Matt Crouch knocking his hat off and Crow Josh Rachele was dropped in part for mocking Power fans for a lack of teeth, the Sydney sides booked a date for another September tussle.

Adelaide and Port Adelaide have only met in one final in 27 years of competition – a 2005 semi-final.

Toby Greene and Sam Reid celebrate the Giants Elimination Final triumph in 2021. Picture: Steve Bell/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

The bitter Western foes West Coast and Fremantle have never met in a final, while the Queensland sides have likewise not had the chance.

The Giants have won all three finals against the Swans, beating their elder sibling by 36 points in a 2016 qualifying final, by 49 points in an elimination final in 2018 and by a solitary point in a 2021 elimination game.

Kelly played in all three of those victories.

“I think it is a strong rivalry,” he said.

“Adelaide and Port, I can’t remember the last time they played in a final or West Coast and Freo. We tend to keep running into the Swans. It is great for football in NSW, they are great physical contests.”

The Sydney rivalry fire was stoked mid-year when the Giants posted a dry video on socials featuring Toby Greene ‘apologising’ for receiving a fine, shortly after business partner Isaac Heeney’s cringe-worthy video following his suspension.

While the two players shrugged it off publicly, the Swans were miffed about the cheeky swipe.

When asked about the prospect of facing the Swans in the finals, Kelly couldn’t hold back a wry smile but he stopped short of describing the feeling between the two sides as genuine hate.

“It is a really strong rivalry that has built over the years,” he said.

“They have won a few in a row on us now and it is one that both teams get up for.

“It is an opportunity to play a physical brand against a strong team. They have a lot of good players across the board. We acknowledge that but at the same time we will bring our best and see where it takes us.”

A veteran of 212 games for GWS, Kelly said the heat between the two sides had been good for the game.

“It is massive. I have felt the growth in NSW and across Sydney across the years and the way it is now, it is stronger than ever,” he said.

“The atmosphere between games and the fans we get to the games is better than it ever has been. I have no doubt the next game is going to be the same.”