THE SYDNEY Swans are backing Mike Pyke to match it with in-form Giants ruckman Shane Mumford in Saturday night's latest instalment of the Sydney Derby.

With Kurt Tippett coming back into the Swans’ side this week, Tom Derickx has been given a rest, having played the past 12 games for his new club.

That will leave Pyke to shoulder the majority of the load against Mumford, with a little help from Sam Reid and possibly Tippett.

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Mumford has been exceptional in his first year with GWS, currently leading the AFL with 43.1 hit-outs per game, including 55 in last week's victory over Carlton.

Pyke, who is averaging just over 21 hit-outs per game, had a five-week layoff with a hamstring injury and naturally struggled a little in his comeback against Richmond last weekend.

The two ruckmen played alongside each other at the Swans in their 2012 premiership-winning year, while Mumford dominated in GWS' shock round one victory over its feted rival.

But the Swans are confident Pyke can take it up to one of the Giants' main weapons on Saturday night.

"We've been winding him (Pike) up all week," Swans co-captain Jarrad McVeigh said on Friday.

"I think 'Mummy' got the better of him in round one, but he's such a good player Mummy and had something like 55 hitouts last week, which is an enormous effort.

"We know what he brings, but I also know Pykey's ready for this.

"He really wants to get one back and he'll be fired up and trying to give us first use."

As he was back in round one, Mumford has been a key part of GWS' planning leading up to this week's game.

A big presence on and off the field, the Giants walk a little taller when Mumford is out in the middle.

"He's a bit toey and he's been talking all week, like he usually does," GWS co-captain Callan Ward said in a press conference alongside McVeigh.

"He almost talks too much Mummy, he's extremely annoying, as you'd know Jarrad.

"He's been playing some terrific footy, he's all crash and bash and helps us midfielders out in a huge way and I think he's pretty pumped for tomorrow night, like we all are."

Asked is he feels safer with Mumford alongside him, Ward said: "A hundred per cent I do.

"He's a big, strong boy and he crashes packs and helps you out when you're on the bottom of a pack and always uses his voice.

"He's been terrific."

The Giants stunned the competition with their round one victory at Spotless Stadium, although both sides have changed significantly since that day.

The Swans have turned around a 1-3 start to the season to reel off a nine-game winning streak.

GWS started 2-1 before stumbling through an eight-game losing run, but has since strung together two straight wins for the first time in its short history.

Much has changed since that game on March 15, but the Swans are still keen to settle the score.

"It irked us at the time," McVeigh said. "(But) both teams have changed since then.

"We’re playing a lot better and so are they.

"It's going to be a great contest. Over the last month they've put in some really good performances and won two in a row.

"We know what's required and what we need to do and hopefully we can get off to a good start."

It has been a slow build so far, but both sides feel the rivalry is starting to grow.

"From two-and-a-half years ago it's grown enormously and is starting to become that big derby we all look forward to," Ward said.

"It takes time, but hopefully one day it can be that big derby like Fremantle and West Coast, those type of derbies."