SUMMARY
With two games of the regular season remaining and both Sydney teams fighting to finish as high on the ladder as possible, the 15th derby will be a blockbuster at Spotless Stadium. The Giants have been crippled by injury again over the past fortnight, but they've won nine of their last 10 matches and have shown enormous resolve. The Swans were devastated by another serious knee injury for defender Alex Johnson last week, but managed to play some outstanding footy to sit just outside the top four on percentage. Phil Davis on Lance Franklin at one end, and Dane Rampe on Jeremy Cameron at the other will be marquee match-ups, and both defenders will count on getting plenty of help from their teammates up the ground. Ruckman Callum Sinclair dominated the Giants in round three and Rory Lobb and Adam Tomlinson will look to get forward whenever they can in an attempt to work the big Swan into the ground.
WHERE AND WHEN: Spotless Stadium, Saturday, August 18, 4.35pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: http://www.afl.com.au/tv-radio/broadcastguide
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
R3, 2018, Sydney 16.7 (103) d Giants 12.15 (87) at the SCG
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
THE SIX POINTS
1. The Swans lost the clearances, inside 50s and laid fewer tackles earlier in the season against the Giants but still won the game. Callum Sinclair booted three goals to go with 45 hit-outs.
2. GWS is the number one clearance team this season averaging 40.3, well ahead of the Swans who are ranked ninth with 37.1 per game.
3. The Giants and Swans meet for the 15th time and Sydney holds a clear advantage, winning 10 games including the last two.
4. The second quarter has been the Giants best this season, they're +147 points, while the first term is the Swans best at +62.
5. Another win for the Giants and they will equal their club record for consecutive wins of six set early in 2016; since round 11, GWS is 9-1, one win ahead of the next best teams Richmond and Hawthorn.
6. Giants co-captain Callan Ward's 25 possessions and five clearances against the Crows last week saw him jump to ninth overall in the Schick AFL Player Ratings, a career-high.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR…
Star defender Lachie Whitfield was kept to just 15 possessions by Swan George Hewett in round three, and with Heath Shaw missing, he'll need to have a big influence with his rebound on Saturday.
PREDICTION: Greater Western Sydney by 13 points
