SUMMARY
After posting significant wins in the opening round of the season, both sides found things more difficult last week, and only the Giants remain undefeated. The Swans dominated every aspect of their clash with Port Adelaide early but failed to translate that into scoreboard pressure, and it cost them dearly when the visitors ran over the top of them after half-time. If they do the same against GWS, the result will likely be the same. The Giants struggled to shake off Collingwood until Stephen Coniglio and Lachie Whitfield played pivotal roles in the last term at the MCG, and they'll need to clean up their forward 50 entries in order to trouble Sydney's experienced backline. The battle between Lance Franklin and Phil Davis will again be crucial to the result, but given the superstar was their only multiple goal scorer against the Power, the Swans will need more contributions from players such as Tom Papley, Will Hayward and Gary Rohan.
WHERE AND WHEN: SCG, Saturday, April 7, 7.25pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
R17, 2017, Sydney 14.12 (96) d Giants 12.11 (83) at Spotless Stadium
R5, 2017, Giants 15.15 (105) d Sydney 9.9 (63) at the SCG
1QF, 2016, Giants 12.19 (91) d Sydney 7.13 (55) at ANZ Stadium
R12, 2016, Giants 15.15 (105) d Sydney 9.9 (63) at Spotless Stadium
R3, 2016, Sydney 14.9 (93) d Giants 10.8 (68) at the SCG
THE SIX POINTS
1. Lance Franklin was the difference between the sides when they last played, with 18 disposals, eight marks and four goals. GWS had more disposals, marks, clearances and inside 50s.
2. Both teams have been strong in centre clearances over the first two rounds, averaging 16 per game. In general clearances the Swans have been much stronger with an average of 49.5 per game, compared to the Giants' 39.
3. Sydney and GWS meet for the 14th time, with the Swans holding the advantage nine games to four; the Swans' win in round 17, 2017 was their first over the Giants since early in 2016.
4. The Swans and Giants have played five times previously at the SCG, with the Swans winning four, including a 129-point thrashing in the first meeting in 2013.
5. This is only the second time the Giants have won their first two games of a season and they've never won their first three. Sydney hasn't lost consecutive SCG games since rounds three and five last season.
6. After hauls of eight and four goals in his first two games of the year, Sydney superstar Lance Franklin has risen to fourth in the Schick AFL Player Ratings, a career-high for the key forward.
IT’S A BIG WEEK FOR …
He started well last week but GWS ruckman Rory Lobb had his colours lowered by Collingwood's Brodie Grundy at the MCG. The West Australian will have the athletic advantage over Swan Callum Sinclair and needs to use his contested marking prowess to give the Giants an advantage around the ground.
PREDICTION: Giants by 17 points
