SUMMARY
The Giants' historic maiden finals campaign kicks off in ideal fashion against their cross-town rivals, but the minor premiers will be out to make it a September debut to forget for GWS. Both teams are stacked with quality midfielders, with Swans trio Josh Kennedy, Luke Parker and Dan Hannebery fresh from All Australian selection, and Callan Ward, Stephen Coniglio and Tom Scully unlucky to miss out on the honour last week. Coleman medal runner-up Lance Franklin looms as a huge threat to GWS, so their co-captain Phil Davis will need to limit Buddy's influence to give the Giants a boost. At the other end, the Giants' own All Australian Toby Greene, along with star recruit Steve Johnson, will be looking to create havoc at ground level, while big man Jonathon Patton is in top form in the air.
• Heading to the finals? Don't miss a moment
Lance Franklin will be a key player in Saturday's qualifying final. Picture: AFL Photos
WHERE AND WHEN: ANZ Stadium, Saturday, September 10, 3.20pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
WHAT HAPPENED THIS YEAR?
Round 12: Greater Western Sydney 15.15 (105) d Sydney Swans 9.9 (63) at Spotless Stadium
The home side's win in their 100th game in the competition was built on a stunning burst either side of half-time, when the Giants kicked seven of eight goals, with Swans ruckman Kurt Tippett injured just before the main break. GWS forwards Toby Greene and Steve Johnson shared six goals and 48 possessions.
Round three: Sydney Swans 14.9 (93) d Greater Western Sydney 10.8 (68) at the SCG
The Giants had some chances but were wasteful in front of goal, and the Swans' band of midfielders proved too good. All Australian trio Parker, Kennedy and Hannebery combined for 90 disposals, three goals and 21 tackles, while Franklin had the better of an absorbing duel with Davis to kick four goals.
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
R12, 2016, Greater Western Sydney 15.15 (105) d Sydney Swans 9.9 (63) at Spotless Stadium
R3, 2016, Sydney Swans 14.9 (93) d Greater Western Sydney 10.8 (68) at the SCG
R21, 2015, Sydney Swans 20.13 (133) d Greater Western Sydney 6.8 (44) at Spotless Stadium
R3, 2015, Sydney Swans 16.15 (111) d Greater Western Sydney 12.18 (90) at the SCG
R15, 2014, Sydney Swans 15.16 (106) d Greater Western Sydney 8.12 (60) at the SCG 
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
Sydney Swans
1. Rohan's paddock. The Swans forward has blistering speed and has often been left one out across the 50-metre line or inside the centre square, with nothing but grass between him and the goals. If he gets goalside of his opponent, it's game over.
2. Mills the quarterback. The 19-year-old's form has been so good in the second half of the season that he's often the player left in charge of the back six as the spare man.
3. Heeney on the loose. The Swans young gun has been in brilliant form inside 50, but has been given a licence to go where he wants to find the footy. Heeney can often be seen taking marks inside the defensive 50.
Greater Western Sydney
1. Coniglio multi-tasking. He's the Giants' equal-leading possession winner, but is also Leon Cameron's shutdown player; if one of the Swans' star midfielders gets out of hand, expect the West Australian to get a job.
2. Stevie J's switch. The veteran has started from the back of the centre square regularly this season, and will no doubt do it again in a bid to create some havoc against the Swans, especially if he's finding it hard to get his hands on the footy early.
3. The game's tallest wingman. Cameron has thrown Rory Lobb to the wing at times this year with great effect, with the 206cm Giant a nightmare match-up, especially as third man up at stoppages.
THE SIX POINTS
1. When these teams last met, the Giants were one of only two teams to kick 100 points against the Swans this season, thanks to four goals to Toby Greene, and Steve Johnson's 27 disposals and two goals. Lance Franklin was the only multiple goalkicker for the Swans with two.
2. It will be a contest between one of the highest scoring teams, and the AFL's best defensive side this season. The Giants are ranked second for offence with 108 per game, and have kicked 100-plus points 11 times. The Swans boast the best defence this season, conceding only 67 points per game.
3. This clash is the 11th between the Sydney rivals. The Swans hold a big advantage, winning eight of 10 matches; the Giants' only wins occurred in round one, 2014 and in round 12 this season.
4. The Giants are the best clearance side in 2016, averaging 41.1 per game but the Swans aren't far behind, ranked third with 38.6 per game. The Giants are equal third for centre clearances.
5. The Swans enjoy an impressive finals history at ANZ Stadium winning eight of 10 games at the venue, but they did lose their last game there, against North Melbourne in the 2015 semi-final.
6. The Giants have played three times previously at ANZ Stadium for three losses, all to the Swans.Star Swans midfielder Josh Kennedy is ranked third in the Schick AFL Player Ratings, with his Giants counterpart and likely opponent Callan Ward (16th), his team's No.1 player.
WHAT THE COACHES SAY
John Longmire: (on Monday) "They beat us by 42 points last time and are the No.1 stoppage team in the competition. They're incredibly strong around the clearances and it's one of their major strengths."
Leon Cameron: (after round 12 win over the Swans) "I'm not going to play it down, it was a really good win against a side I rate really highly. We're 8-4, and we've been competitive for 12 rounds, but the challenge is to keep going."
IT’S A BIG WEEK FOR…
Nick Smith (Swans): The small defender is set for the big job on Giants veteran Steve Johnson, who kicked 43 goals during the regular season, and is a man renowned for his ability to produce on the big stage.
Jonathon Patton: The power forward kicked 11 goals in last two weeks of the season but faces a massive test this week against Heath Grundy, and must be a factor against the league's best defence if GWS are a chance to win.
PREDICTION: Sydney Swans by seven points.
