Fans who have bought tickets to the 27th edition of the Battle of the Bridge (Sydney Derby) can expect a fiery encounter, especially given the words said by GWS defender Sam Taylor.
Since 2012 (the Giants' introduction to the AFL), Sydney has more often than not recorded wins in the derby, leading by six victories (16-10) in the head-to-head.
The New South Wales clubs have faced off in three finals matches (2016 QF, 2018 EF and 2021 EF) with GWS taking home the chocolates.
But this encounter seems different to ones gone by, especially given the fact both sides sit second and third on the AFL ladder.
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Adding more fuel to the frosty meeting is the "cross-pollination with staff and to be able to play in front of a sellout crowd", with Sydney's recent addition in the box of former Giants coach Leon Cameron a sticking point for the AFL's newest team.
On Monday, the returning Taylor - who is likely to be joined by Toby Greene and Stephen Coniglio - spoke candidly about his "dislike" for cross-town rivals Sydney, labelling them as "smug".
โ(The rivalry) keeps building and building, and now that we're second and third at the moment ... there's a lot in it,โ Taylor said to reporters on Monday.
โI think they're probably the benchmark at the moment. The way they play is very, very tough to play against. I'm very keen to play them.
โI do respect them, they're a great team. They have great players and I respect how the players go about it.
โBut there is a lot of dislike and once we get on the field, we want to beat them, we want to smack them and come home with the win,โ Taylor maintained.
โThey're young, they're firing, they're a bit smug. It comes from a bit of that as well. They're chirpy on the field."
Potentially sparking a war of words, Sydney's coach quickly downplayed Taylor's comments, saying he's more focused on the game and the returning stars.
"I wasn't so much focused on the comments but I've been more focused on Toby Greene, Stephen Coniglio and Sam Taylor coming back in the team," Longmire quipped.
"That's where my energy has been directed cause this is a team that last week defeated last year's grand finalists by nine goals and had those three guys out.
"They've got some young players who have come in and done a great job, so I've been looking at that and trying to move our magnets around as well."
With Giants coach Adam Kingsley likely to make at least three changes, pending the availability of Taylor and Coniglio, Longmire said he's got some work to do at the selection table.
Veterans Luke Parker and Dane Rampe will need to get through main training on Thursday to put their hand up for selection.
"We've got Parks and Ramps that we'll see how their training goes this week," Longmire said.
"I think that Parks has pulled up okay, will have another session today (Tuesday) but the important one is Thursday.
"We've got a couple of blokes that need to get through the week with how they pulled up. We've got a six-day break."
Both sides have had one blemish so far this season, with the Swans being knocked off by an undermanned Tigers outfit while the Giants were downed by a rampaging Carlton side.
The pair will face off at the SCG on Saturday, with the ball to be bounced at 1:45 pm (AEST).
Sydney Derby (Battle of the Bridge) History
- 26 matches (16 wins to Sydney; 10 to GWS)
- Brett Kirk medallist (best afield) - Luke Parker (5), Lance Franklin, Kieren Jack (3), Josh Kennedy, Callan Ward (2)
- In finals, the Giants are 3-0 against the Swans (2016 QF, 2018 EF and 2021 EF)
- Sydney's largest victory - 129 points (Round 16, 2013); GWS's largest victory - 49 points (Elimination Final, 2018)
- Biggest crowd (non-final) - 38,203 at Stadium Australia (Round 1, 2012)
- Josh Kennedy (SYD) most appearances (18)
