GWS Giants set to host sell-out crowd at Spotless Stadium against Sydney

THE Giants are poised to set a ground record at Spotless Stadium on Sunday for their blockbuster against the Swans.

THE Giants are poised to set a ground record at Spotless Stadium on Sunday for their blockbuster against the Swans.

Six days out from the Sydney derby, just 300 general admission tickets remain and under 2000 reserved seats.

The flood of interest is a huge boost for GWS who, as they prepare for their 100th match as a club, face an ongoing battle to build a fan base in Western Sydney that is as strong as the booming on-field line-up.

Giants power forwards Jonathon Patton, Rory Lobb and Jeremy Cameron at Spotless Stadium. Picture. Phil Hillyard

Never before has so much gone on the line between these two finals- bound teams.

This is particularly so for the Giants, who are desperate to bounce back after consecutive losses on the road.

More than 19,000 turned out for last year’s Spotless derby, but the Sydney Thunder and Sydney Sixers BBL Twenty20 derby last December holds the ground record of 21,500.

Ground configuration may slightly alter the capacity, but the Giants are anticipating a historic sell-out of more than 21,000 for a match that Giants chief executive David Matthews hopes will one day take on a State of Origin-like feel between east and west.

“We think we’re on track to beat that,” Matthews said.

“I think the rivalry builds all the time.

“We’ve got a lot of respect for the Swans and I know our boys absolutely love playing them.

“These would be the two fixtures our team would look at each year.

“You would love to think this rivalry will get as big as the State of Origin feel you get around town in rugby league over time.”