Saturday marks the 25th derby between the Swans and the Giants, 11 years after their first clash, but it was a stormy night at Spotless Stadium in 2014 where the rivalry really began.
It was an act from Mother Nature herself, with lightning and torrential rain in the sky and debris flying across the field in round one of 2014 that ushered in the Giants’ first win over the Swans, which became a turning point for the club that had finished at the bottom of the table in its first two seasons.
The Giants beat the Swans for the first time in 2014 during a storm-affected round one clash. Credit: Anthony Johnson
The momentum from that first victory flowed across the next year and into the 2016 finals, which is what Swans CEO Tom Harley sees as the defining moment that transformed the derby from being a manufactured rivalry to becoming a genuine contest.
“I remember vividly the first game that was out at the Olympic Stadium in the Giants’ first year, and clearly the Swans at that stage were a powerhouse, and went on to win the premiership in 2012,” Harley said.
“So there was a natural development of the rivalry there, and I think the first final that the clubs played as a derby was also at Stadium Australia in 2016, and it was a really, really big game, and it felt like a big game. Since then, both clubs have made it to grand finals and played a lot of finals footy and some really genuine, contested footy. So, I think that was really when the rivalry started to amplify.”
The memorable 2014 match stands out for CEO David Matthews too, who said the derby had become a Sydney staple since then, and a game that either team could win regardless of their position on the ladder.
Players contest the ball in the inaugural Sydney derby back in 2012Credit: James Alcock
“It’s a great milestone to see the derby reach its 25th instalment in our club’s 12th season,” Matthews said.
“[It’s] important to note that there’s been three derby finals in addition too, which is remarkable given our two teams’ history, and we’ve been fortunate enough to win all three of those finals.”
Giants captain Toby Greene, who debuted with the team in 2012, was proud of his side’s ability to quickly become genuine rivals to the Swans.
“It’s certainly growing over time, the Swans have been one of the better teams in the competition for a long time, and we were eventually able to take it up to them, but it’s growing,” Greene said. “It’s been great for Sydney footy, great for NSW. Every time we come up against them, it goes up a level.”
Swans co-captain Callum Mills has seen AFL grow in NSW.Credit: Getty
Swans co-captain Callum Mills was at school at the time of the derby’s conception, but he can see how the contest has helped the game prosper in NSW.
“I think it’s thriving. I look back to when I was at school, and I was the only one playing AFL, and I’m sure that’s not happening today,” Mills said.
“I’m really proud of being a NSW boy of how much the game has grown in the state and I can’t wait for it to grow even more.”
This season has been an uphill battle for both teams, who go into Saturday’s game outside the top eight and coming off losses. The Swans were pummeled by Geelong last week in a 130-37 defeat, but Mills was optimistic they could turn their form around.
“We obviously weren’t up to the standard on the weekend, and we make no excuses for that, but it’s straight back to work,” Mills said. “This week we’re going to have to be really on. The Giants have been playing a really good brand of footy and these derby games are really high intensity and always good challenges.”
It was a similar result for the Giants who lost to Brisbane last week, but Green said his side were being patient and working on their fundamentals.
“We’re still making some basic errors, and still working on things at training to do with our new system. It does take time, but it can happen pretty quickly at the same time,” Green said.
“Swans will be bouncing back after their loss, and we’re looking to do the same as well, so no doubt it will be a great contest on the weekend,” Green said.
Five questions about the Swans v Giants
DO THE GIANTS HAVE THE WEAPONS TO EXPOSE THE SWANS DEFENCE?
This is an opportune time for the Giants to catch their crosstown rival, who are in the grips of an injury crisis to their key defensive stocks. Tom McCartin’s return eases the pressure but the Swans remain without Paddy McCartin and old warhorse Dane Rampe, while Robbie Fox, who has played on taller opponents with success, joins the casualty ward. In Jesse Hogan and Toby Greene, the Giants have the arsenal in attack to worry the Swans. Callum Mills and Nick Blakey loom as suitable match-ups though the Swans would prefer to release them in more attacking roles. Hogan has threatened to tear apart a few games this year but his kicking for goal has let him down.
The stage is set for a Buddy barrage.Credit: Getty
CAN BUDDY HAVE A NIGHT OUT?
The stars are aligning for Buddy. All Australian defender Sam Taylor is out, and his old foe Phil Davis won’t be there either. It leaves Jack Buckley has the most logical match-up. Buckley is no mug – he performed admirably against Charlie Curnow – but Franklin will find the 23-gamer easier to handle than Taylor or any of the elite backmen last September. Buckley has the athleticism to match Franklin but does he have the experience and smarts? In his final season, Franklin has a big opportunity to remind the football world he can still be a match-winner.
WHY SHOULD SYDNEY PEOPLE CARE?
Because the sparks will fly – or at least they should. Here’s why both coaches will have their men revved up. If the Swans’ heaviest defeat in 25 years – coming in a grand final rematch no less – does not inspire a robust response, nothing will. Sides tend to over-correct so do not be surprised if the Swans err on the side of too much aggression. In his first derby, Adam Kingsley should point to the last clash late last year when the Giants, by then well out of finals contention, were humiliated by 73 points – a performance which prompted caretaker coach Mark McVeigh to accuse his players of “checking out”. They, too, will be desperate to atone.
WHERE DOES THE DERBY SIT IN SPORTING RIVALRIES?
The Sydney derby can be split into three phases. First came the phony war, when the upstarts from the west could not match their trash talk with any meaningful play. The competition was at its fiercest from 2016-18 when the two clubs were genuine premiership contenders, often playing in big games – and there was real spite (watch the 2016 qualifying final). Though the 2021 elimination final was a beauty, the Giants, under rookie coach Adam Kingsley, are now in a different stage of development. The motor mouths have largely left the Giants. Familiarity has bred respect. A Giants upset, with a splash of controversy, is what this crosstown rivalry needs.
Stephen Coniglio.Credit: Getty Images
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY?
Do not be fooled by the bookies. This will be close – and the Giants are a real chance of causing a boilover. In Tom Green and Stephen Coniglio, they have the midfield muscle to worry the Swans, who are vulnerable against bigger-bodied on-ball brigades, and they have the tall timber to capitalise on a weakened defence. Here comes the but. The Swans are a proud club, and rarely put in two bad games in a row. It won’t be pretty but a forward line with Isaac Heeney, Franklin and Tom Papley will find a way to kick a winning score. Swans by 12 points.
