SYDNEY Swans co-captain Kieren Jack is part of one of the best onball divisions in the competition, but has praised the midfield depth at Greater Western Sydney ahead of Saturday's derby at the SCG.
Swans Josh Kennedy, Luke Parker, Dan Hannebery, Tom Mitchell and Jack form an imposing midfield unit, but the co-skipper says the Giants have their own batch of guns running through the middle.
With opposite number Callan Ward, Ryan Griffen, Tom Scully, Dylan Shiel and Stephen Coniglio all starting the season in good touch, Jack says GWS possesses plenty of onball stars, and not just in its starting 18.
"We certainly don't underestimate these guys and especially their midfield depth; they've got strong players but it runs pretty deep," Jack said.
"That's where it's going to be won and lost – I'm confident of that.
"Our boys are in good shape. They're in good form, coming up against a really good challenge on the weekend, and what you look forward to is those challenges, and hopefully we can come out on the other end."
The Giants have lost young defender Caleb Marchbank for the ninth Sydney derby after the 19-year-old injured his ankle in the first half of Sunday's 13-point win over Geelong in Canberra.
Marchbank, who has been used as the side's third tall defender this season, could be out for up to two months.
Veteran Joel Patfull looms as the logical replacement for the teenager, although coach Leon Cameron could pull a surprise and recall Nick Haynes, despite the athletic backman playing just two games in the NEAFL after off-season groin surgery.
Ward said that with the two clubs more evenly matched in terms of list strength and on-field performances over the past two seasons, the Sydney rivalry had built significantly – in a respectful way – and the 'big brother, little brother' tag had been shaken.
"I think it's really starting to grow some legs. The first couple of years because we were so young it didn't really have much, but I think now the fans and the members are really starting to buy into it, and the players love it," he said.
"All of us at the Giants really love to play against the Swans and they love playing us, so it's a game we always look forward too.
"We're really happy just to take the Swans on now."
Retired Swans champion Adam Goodes and premiership teammate Mike Pyke will be given a lap of honour at half-time of the match, and Jack said it would be a fantastic occasion for the club.
Goodes finished his brilliant 372-game career at the end of last year but didn't announce his decision to retire until after the Swans' semi-final loss to North Melbourne.
"It'll be great for him to come here and say thank you, and the Swans fans can all come and pay their respects and say thank you in a way that he should be farewelled," Jack said.
"To come and say goodbye to one of our greatest Swans players will be great for our football club.
"He's been here for a very long time, he's had a huge influence on this footy club."
