Two of the league’s best teams will go head to head on Saturday night when the GWS Giants host the Sydney Swans in cross-town derby.
The Giants have done something that no other team has done in more than 90 years – two draws in a row. They couldn’t better Geelong when the siren was blown to weeks ago in western Sydney, nor could they last week at Launceston against Hawthorn. It has made their season, well, just a bit funny really – but with ten wins, three losses and a pair of draws, they’re still second on the ladder. They haven’t had a win over a side in the current top eight since they beat Richmond in Round 9, and haven’t had a win of that kind by more than a goal since they beat Sydney in Round 5.
The Swans have come a long way since that loss which was just one of six consecutive defeats to start the season. They have made history in the time since – they’ve won eight matches from their last nine and have become the first team to find itself in the top eight after an 0-6 start. Of course, they’re only in there on percentage at the moment and there’s a long way to go, but it’s fair to say they are the form team of the competition.
The Giants do have some stars back this week – Steve Johnson, Toby Greene and Zac Williams are all back in the side. Sam Reid will miss through an ankle injury, while Tendai Mzungu and Daniel Lloyd have both been dropped.
Sydney have only one change – skipper Josh P Kennedy is back, with Oliver Florent dropped to make way.
The Giants have won the last three between these sides, and all by comfortable margins. Still, they’ve got a much bigger injury list now than they have on those occasions, and the Swans are beating everyone in front of them.
Sydney at $2.50 to win by 1-39 is good value, and in a longer range forecast, odds of $5 to make the top four and $8 to win the flag are intriguing if you decide to pull the trigger before game time.
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