Swans take on GWS in epic derby clash for AFL finals week one
THEY’VE met 10 times before but it is their 11th clash in week one of the 2016 AFL finals that will prove the fiercest. This is everything you need to know about Swans v GWS.
Sydney
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AN all-Sydney AFL grand final in 2016 isn’t beyond the realms of possibility after both the Sydney Swans and GWS Giants both claimed top four finishes.
But before we get there the two sides must face off in a local derby first-week final on Saturday.
The Swans topped the ladder and will be looking to overcome the disappointment of their last two finals appearances.
The Giants will make their first ever finals appearance after just five years in existence.
It promises to be an epic clash, sure to deepen a rivalry that has been steadily growing.
This is everything you need to know heading into Sydney Swans v GWS Giants.
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
The Swans will take on the Giants at ANZ Stadium on Saturday, September 10. Gates open at 1:30pm, with the match starting at 3:20pm. About 50,000 tickets have already been sold. Ticket prices start from $10 but many sections are already sold out or single seats available only.
HOW TO WATCH
If you can’t get to the match, watch it live at home on Fox Footy or 7mate.
HOW 2016 PLAYED OUT
PREDICTED TEAMS
STATS THAT MATTER
SWANS v GWS: HISTORY
2012: It was always going to be a tough ask in their debut season for the Giants to perform well against the established NSW force that is the Swans. And so it proved in 2012. The newly minted cross-town rivals met in rounds one and 14, GWS suffering heavy losses of 100-37 and 132-38 respectively. GWS finished bottom of the ladder after just two wins for the season. The big losses to Sydney were not isolated and huge deficits of more than 60 points proved a baptism of fire in the AFL. The Swans claimed the 2012 grand final after beating Hawthorn.
2013: This was to be Kevin Sheedy’s last season as coach of GWS and once again the Swans dominated. The met in rounds one and 16, with the Swans bagging 106-76 and 171-42 wins respectively. It was a GWS season worse than their debut campaign. The Giants had one win for the entire year in round 19 against Melbourne but it was small comfort for a squad that lost five matches by 100 points or more for a second consecutive season. The Swans, looking to defend their crown fell a match short of the grand final.
2014: Things were finally on the up for GWS as young players continued to develop and Leon Cameron took over as coach. In a first for GWS they stunned the Sydney Swans (99-67) in round one to record their first ever win over big brother. That feat wasn’t to be repeated in round 15, the Swans recovering from the round one embarrassment to strike back 106-60. GWS recorded six wins for the season while the Swans again made the grand final after finishing top of the ladder. That decider ended in embarrassment after a 137-74 loss to Hawthorn.
2015: The Swans continued their dominance of GWS, winning in rounds three and 21 with 111-90 and 133-44 results respectively. But that was where Sydney’s luck ended. The Swans finished in the top four but bowed out of the finals in consecutive weeks as poor results coupled with continued talk about Lance Franklin’s mental health took their toll. The Giants, however, continued to find positives. The Giants finished 11th with 11 wins and 11 losses, one of their scalps coming tin the form of eventual premiers Hawthorn.
SWANS v GWS: 2016
And so we entered 2016. The Swans were expected to suffer a decline as experienced players retired while the Giants were predicted to make their first finals series as the young talent they’d fostered for four years finally matured.
Not only did the Giants make the finals but they bagged a top four finish with 16 wins and six losses. The Swans defied everyone to finish top of the ladder with 17 wins and five losses.
Both played out successful seasons but it was the two local derbies that got everyone talking.
ROUND 3: GWS went down by 25 points but pushed the Swans all the way. Sydney dominated through the middle and in the end it was Buddy Franklin’s boot that proved the difference between the two rivals. Franklin kicked four goals for a 93-68 score line, only putting the match out of reach of the Giants late. GWS used its speed to constantly threaten the Swans and actually led early in the third quarter before Sydney clawed back a lead.
ROUND 12: Welcome to the land of the Giants. That was GWS’ message to the Swans as a 104-63 result handed the Giants victory in their 100th AFL match. Callan Ward, Tom Scully, Ryan Griffen, Steve Coniglio and Zak Williams helped the Giants dominate contested possession (159-139) and defenders Heath Shaw, Nick Haynes and Nathan Wilson put the brakes on the Swans’ forwards, holding them to just nine goals. The Swans suffered a number of injuries during the match but take nothing away from them, they showed they were little brothers no more.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
SWANS
Lance Franklin: It has been a stunning season for Franklin, who has booted a whopping 74 goals and was selected in the All-Australian side last week. When the Swans defeated the Giants in Round 3, Franklin was a standout with four goals.
Dane Rampe: From playing in the VFL reserves to earning his first All-Australian honour, it has been a wild ride for Rampe. The star defender has shut down some of the best forwards in the competition this year including Jack Riewoldt, Jack Darling and Jack Gunston.
GWS
Shane Mumford: The man who was pushed out of the Sydney side when Lance Franklin arrived, Mumford has been the ideal pick-up for the Giants. He is as tough as they come around the contest and gives the Giants some real grunt in the middle of the ground.
Steve Johnson: The knock on the Giants going into this finals series is inexperience on the big stage. Stevie J could be the answer. The star forward played in three flags with the Cats and has been one of the recruits of the year since signing with the Giants, booting 43 goals.
ODDS
TAB has the Swans as $1.45 favourites to beat GWS Giants ($2.85).
The first goal scorer market has Lance Franklin as favourite at $8 followed by Jeremy Cameron ($9), Steve Johnson ($11), Jonathon Patton ($13) and Isaac Heeney ($15).
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