HOW SYDNEY’S AFL RIVALRY HEATED UP OVER THE PAST SEVEN YEARS
Round one, 2012 Sydney coasted to a 63-point victory, predictably outclassing GWS in the expansion club’s first AFL outing. James McDonald, the oldest player on the park and one of the Giants’ playing coaches, nailed Luke Parker with a shirtfront. The Swans were unimpressed with the brutal blow that left Parker, then 19, with a broken jaw.
Round one, 2013 Kevin Sheedy attempted to build the derby’s profile by coining it “The Battle of The Bridge”. Josh Kennedy was among many to fire back, suggesting it was an insult to pigeonhole his Swans as an eastern suburbs club. On the field, Tom Bugg sledged Ben McGlynn by asking the small forward “where is your premiership medallion?”. McGlynn had missed the 2012 grand final because of a hamstring injury.
Round one, 2014 The Giants, shocked during the off-season when Lance Franklin snubbed them in favour of the Swans, recorded their first win over Sydney. Shane Mumford, who was offloaded by the Swans to free up salary cap space for Franklin, earned three Brownlow votes in his first game for the Giants.
Qualifying final, 2016 The most bruising battle yet. Steve Johnson was suspended for a high hit on Kennedy while Kurt Tippett’s jaw was broken in two places during a ruck collision. Mumford sledged Franklin about his mental health issues, later calling the superstar to apologise. GWS got home by 36 points. It would have been an all-Sydney grand final if the Giants didn’t lose to Western Bulldogs by six points a fortnight later.
Round five, 2017 GWS celebrated their first ever win at the SCG. The Giants, starting favourites for the first time in a derby, conceded four goals in the opening five minutes but smashed the Swans by 42 points. Microphones picked up Heath Shaw calling Tom Papley a “f***ing retard”. The GWS veteran later apologised.
Round 22, 2018 This game was a turning point for both clubs this year. Franklin booted five goals in the Swans’ upset eight-p[oint victory, securing his side a finals berth for the 15th time in 16 seasons.