The Swans’ toughest challenge ahead of the Sydney Derby

The Sydney Swans have won all of their last three matchups with cross-town rivals GWS, but that’s not to say they won’t approach with caution.

The Giants remain one of the most damaging teams in the AFL, and before their final round falter against the Bulldogs, had claimed seven straight wins, taking out several potential top eight candidates en route to their top four finish.

The biggest challenge for the Swans in halting the Giants lies within Sydney’s back half, with Phil Davis labelling two of the game’s best forwards as the key factor in Saturday afternoon’s result.

“Two names for me: Jesse Hogan and Toby Greene”, The former Giant told SEN’s Whateley.

“No one’s been able to stop Jesse for the last ten weeks, and Toby since Round 10 has put up some brilliant numbers as well.

“To me, they are sitting there being like ‘well, if we can control Jesse and Toby, the reliance on those two as goal kickers has been significant, I think they have kicked over 50 per cent of (the Giants’) goals over the last six or seven weeks.

“Kudos to them, they are two of the best five forwards in the game, some would argue two of the best two.”

The last time the two sides faced off, Sydney’s key defender Tom McCartin put on a very strong display against the Coleman Medallist, holding Hogan to just seven touches and one goal in just under 90 per cent of game time.

Elsewhere, Toby Greene was also held to just one goal, however his 18 touches would suggest he did his damage further up the ground.

The Swans claimed that clash, walking away as 27-point victors at ENGIE Stadium.

“Tom McCartin will obviously have to go to Jesse”, Davis said.

“I presume Dane Rampe will probably go to Toby but I’m not absolutely sure on that one.

“To me, Tom is one of the top 10 key back in the game, obviously Jesse is number one (key forward).

“The one thing about Tom is that he is very good in the air, he’s a great spoiler, he’s very good above his head, the thing that will test him is he can give a bit of leg rope and Jesse is very good at that, in terms of manipulating his opponent and creating his own space.

“It’s if Tom can stop Jesse’s lead ups and use some space just in front of him.”

A spot in a Preliminary final is up for grabs as the Sydney siders go head to head this Saturday.