AFL Finals: Young Swans coy over Giants’ Sydney Derby finals dominance

The Swans are yet to win a final against their cross-town rivals GWS. For some players, that means nothing. For others, it’s extra motivation as they hit the track ahead of the derby.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 10: Lance Franklin of the Swans and Steve Johnson of the Giants clash at the quarter time break during the 2016 AFL First Qualifying Final match between the Sydney Swans and the GWS Giants at ANZ Stadium on September 10, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)

It was 36 points in 2016. The margin ballooned out to 49 points two years later at the SCG. And then in 2021, it was a one-point heartbreaker in Launceston.

Three finals matches between the Swans and Giants where the little brother from Western Sydney has come out on top. It’s not quite hoodoo levels, as some would have you believe, but it is now a genuine trend of what happens when the Sydney Derby takes place in September.

Although, according to most Swans players it’s firmly back of mind.

“Which record is that, sorry?” Errol Gulden says when asked about the Giants’ finals dominance. “I didn’t even know that.

“Their finals record over the past 10 years has been amazing and we’ll definitely have our work cut out this week.”

“I actually have no idea either,” Chad Warner added. “I remember playing them down in Tassie, we lost that, but I don’t really know about the rest of them.

“At least we get another opportunity to try and change it … us young boys are very keen to change that, hopefully.”

The Giants have won all three finals meetings against the Swans, including most recently in 2021. Picture: Steve Bell/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

Gulden in particular has been a thorn in the Giants’ side of late. He has won the Brett Kirk Medal for best-on-ground in each of the past three derbies. It’s a form line the two-time All-Australian winger holds dear and is something he hopes can continue this Saturday.

“I think it probably is a little bit of luck,” Gulden said.

“I do really enjoy playing in those games. They’re generally pretty big games because the Giants are such a good team. And the big games are the ones you want to play well in … it just happens to pan out in those games.”

Gulden has dominated the Sydney Derby over the past 12 months. Picture: Phil Hillyard

It’s only Gulden’s second final against the Giants this weekend, but teammates Isaac Heeney and Luke Parker have been there for each of the defeats.

They understand the importance of balancing out the rivalry in the lead-up to the week. While you have to ensure you don’t get too caught up in the emotions, it’s appreciating that this game does matter more than most.

“I couldn’t care if we always won, even in finals in previous years, I think we’d still owe them one,” Heeney said.

“We’re just excited to get out there and play. It’s great for the growth of the game that two NSW sides are right up there on top of the ladder.”

Heeney has played in all three finals against the Giants and is keen to get one back. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

“Obviously there’s a bit of history there, but look, it’s a new game each year. It’s a new game each time,” Parker added. “We beat them twice during the year, that means nothing.

“So, we know that rocking up Saturday, they’ll be confident in what they will do, we’ll be confident in what we can do. And that’s just what finals is, and that’s why we’re two of the best teams in the comp at the moment.

“So it’ll be a big battle, but yeah, for sure, we’ll be up for the fight.”

The Swans look set to be boosted for Saturday’s clash with the return of Tom Papley (ankle) and Justin McInerney (knee). During a light training session on Monday, both moved freely and participated in ball-work drills as more than 200 fans watched on.

Papley and McInerney’s return from injury is set to cause a selection headache for John Longmire. Picture: Phil Hillyard

It’s set to force some tough decisions at the selection table for John Longmire. Papley and McInerney will likely comeback alongside Isaac Heeney and Tom McCartin who were both managed against the Crows. That leaves several players potentially on the chopping block including Robbie Fox, Braeden Campbell and experienced veteran Taylor Adams.

However, it’s a good problem to have going into a final full strength. And across town, the Giants know they will have their work cut out if the finals winning streak is to continue.

“I think it mostly is just luck, especially the last one in 2021,” GWS defender Sam Taylor said. “They definitely deserved to win that game and we just got lucky, they missed a few easy ones.

“You always need a bit of luck on your side, and that’s what we had the last time we played them in finals. Hopefully, we can do it more convincingly this week.”

Originally published as AFL Finals: Young Swans coy over Giants’ Sydney Derby finals dominance