SYDNEY has lobbied to make sure any finals against the higher-placed Greater Western Sydney are not played at Spotless Stadium if the teams meet in a Harbour City derby this September.  

The prospect of a second consecutive final between GWS and Sydney is alive after the Swans' resurgence. It would most likely fall in the second or third week if the Giants lost a qualifying final and the Swans won an elimination final.  

Sydney hosted last year's final at ANZ Stadium, and the Swans believe the Giants should be scheduled by the AFL to play at a bigger venue if the teams cross paths in September.    

The matter is complicated by the investment required to improve the turf at ANZ Stadium should the ground be required to host its first AFL match in 12 months.    

That would leave the SCG as the alternative venue, a scenario the Giants said "shouldn't be considered whatsoever".  

"We believe in the adage that finishing higher qualifies you for a final in your state," Swans chairman Andrew Pridham told News Corp.  

"It doesn’t guarantee a final on your home ground. Geelong suffer that and in the early days of the Swans in Sydney, they had to host finals at the MCG and Waverley.  

"You should get a final in your home state. Last year we played our home final at ANZ and we didn't complain. We just turned up and played.  

"It's up to the AFL. If we did play GWS you are likely to get a big crowd and you need to get them in."  

The AFL last year ended its deal with ANZ Stadium one year early, allowing Sydney to play all its matches at the SCG.  

That agreement allowed the Swans to host finals at its home ground, unless it met the Giants, in which case ANZ Stadium would be used.    

Last year's historic qualifying final between the crosstown rivals was the last AFL match played at ANZ Stadium, which would require significant investment to improve the turf to get it up to standard for another final 12 months on.  

"It’s been made clear our home finals are to be played at Spotless Stadium," Giants CEO David Matthews said.  

"The exception was ANZ Stadium if there is an all-Sydney final. The SCG shouldn't be considered whatsoever."  

Last year's qualifying final between the Swans and Giants drew a crowd of 60,222 at ANZ Stadium. Spotless Stadium has a capacity of 24,000 while the SCG can hold 48,000 fans.