AFL: Sydney rivals fight for Prelim spot

Derby games do not come much bigger than Sydney versus Greater Western Sydney on Saturday, when the two rivals fight for a place in the Preliminary Final.

The Swans finished top of the ladder at the end of the regular season and can be backed at 3.75 to go on and win the grand final.

GWS came fourth and are priced at 5.50 to do the same.

Jumping straight to a Preliminary Final will give the winner of Saturday’s clash a week off and some much-needed rest, so the stakes are high.

Sydney have the edge over the Giants after winning the last three meetings, but this is finals football when previous results count for little.

It is too close to call and we should be in for a tense afternoon at the SCG.

. What: Sydney Swans v Greater Western Sydney
. Where: SCG, Sydney
. When: 15:20 (AEST), Saturday 7th September
. How to watch: Foxtel, Kayo, Channel 7
. Odds: Sydney 1.62, Greater Western Sydney 2.30

Swans get themselves back on track

Sydney recovered from a big slump in form to win the remaining three games of the regular season and give themselves a much-needed boost.

The Swans also look to have come through a crippling injury crisis that was threatening to derail their season.

Isaac Heeney is among the players set to return and will be a key cog in the Swans engine room.

The midfielder can be backed at 2.15 to collect 25+ disposals in the game, while Errol Gulden can be backed at 2.50 to do the same.

Small forward Tom Papley is another player that is poised to return and he has been sorely missed when he has been out of the side.

Papley is 15.00 to boot the first goal of the game, or 1.27 to score at anytime.

The Swans have won the last two meetings by 27 and 29 points and can be backed at 6.50 to win this one by 25-36.

Giants look to turn the tables

The Giants do not have a great record against the Swans, winning just one out of the last six meetings.

However, that one win saw them produce an incredible fightback to edge a close one at the SCG last season, which should give them plenty of confidence.

They also finished the 2024 regular season on the up. GWS won four on the bounce, including wins over Brisbane and Fremantle before losing to Western Bulldogs.

Jesse Hogan has been in outstanding form and the gun forward will be key to their chances of going deep into finals.

Hogan can be backed at 6.50 to boot the first goal of the game, while Toby Greene is 9.50 to do the same.

Greene has a habit of stepping up to the plate against the Swans and is the kind of player who loves to rise to the occasion.

GWS can be backed at 5.50 to win a close one by 1-12 points.