Rivals cool for derby pictorial

Rivalry grows between Sydney and GWS Giants in the Harbour City. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: The Daily Telegraph

WITH the Swans and Giants as far apart as you can get on the ladder, promoting a genuine rivalry is a tough sell.

Last year the premiers trounced the fledgling club by 157 points over their two contests in rounds one and 14.

Although the prospect of a close match still looks at least a season or two away, there is a genuine competitive tension being driven by the Swans.

"We're not going to lie down and give up number one spot in Sydney," Swan midfielder Kieren Jack said yesterday as stars from both teams were photographed for a promotional campaign.

"We believe we are Sydney's number one team. We've going to stand our ground and show that."

As the photos were being snapped, there was no small talk, no chit-chat and no Happy New Year wishes.

The greetings from Jack, Josh Kennedy and Ted Richards to Giant rivals Phil Davis, Callan Ward and Tom Scully were all polite and well mannered but that was it.

"We want to be the team the whole of Sydney supports," Richards said.

"We want people in the west to be following us. We don't see the city being split down the middle where they've got their territory and we've got ours."

Richards added: "We want to protect the fan base we've had for a long time."

As for the Giants there was no other choice but to be respectful and gracious towards the Swans, they were wooden-spooners and the Swans premiers.

"To have a rival in the same city it's good for us and gives us something to aspire to," Scully said.

"Our club certainly respects Sydney as much as anyone."

Giants co-captain Davis was putting an optimistic note on the challenge in front of his young team taking on the premiers twice.

"It's great for us and obviously harder to win a derby," Davis said.

"We look forward to the day hopefully this year when we can win our first one against the Swans."

The only Sydney native left in the room, Kieren Jack had the last word.

"The AFL have brought in another team and that's great - but it's not going to be to the detriment of us."

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