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Swans, Giants enter derby with back issues

Rob ForsaithAAP
Luke Parker of the Swans and Jacob Hopper of the Giants pose ahead of their AFL clash on Saturday.
Camera IconLuke Parker of the Swans and Jacob Hopper of the Giants pose ahead of their AFL clash on Saturday. Credit: AAP

Sydney's two clubs are nursing defensive headaches as they prepare to meet on Saturday, when the SCG will host the 20th edition of the AFL's friendly rivalry.

Phil Davis' calf injury means GWS, having upset Collingwood in round four to post their first win of the season, must find a new candidate to play on Lance Franklin.

Giants coach Leon Cameron backed veteran Lachie Keeffe and young gun Sam Taylor to help curb the influence of Franklin and Sydney, whose potency has been a hallmark of an impressive 4-0 start.

"Phil and Buddy have had some great battles over the last seven or eight years, but Sam Taylor is in really good form," Cameron told reporters.

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"Keeffe as well.

"It's not just Buddy we have to worry about, they're kicking a lot of goals and moving the ball well."

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Swans coach John Longmire remains unsure whether Franklin will back up beyond this weekend and face Gold Coast, playing three games in a row, but noted the fit-again spearhead has been training and "that's a good sign".

Co-captain Dane Rampe, who has undergone surgery to repair a broken finger he suffered a fortnight ago, will join Isaac Heeney in being an enforced omission for the Swans.

Key defenders Lewis Melican and Kaiden Brand are the leading candidates to replace Rampe, while midfielder James Rowbottom is likely to be passed fit in coming days.

"It's happening across the competition, there's a few injuries," Longmire said.

"That's part of the challenge of getting through a season. It's a marathon, you have to make sure you have the squad to get through it."

There was nothing inflammatory or even impolite uttered by Longmire, Cameron, Swans co-captain Luke Parker and Giants midfielder Jacob Hopper throughout Tuesday's 25-minute press conference.

The league's youngest rivalry is now in its 10th year.

There have been a handful of spiteful on-field moments, while Kevin Sheedy rankled some red- and-white types in his early attempts to spruik the derby.

But it has largely been a rivalry built on cracking contests, mutual respect and a desire for the game to grow in the NSW capital.

"It's been good for AFL football in this city to have another team here," Longmire said.

"We've played some big games. There's been some monumental contests in these games, that's what adds to the rivalry and makes it genuine rather than manufactured."

Parker and Hopper highlighted how youngsters preparing for their first AFL derby still know the opposition well, having played countless scratch matches, pre-season clashes and reserves games in recent years.

"We do have that friendly kind of nature with a few boys across the road," Hopper said.

"As soon as you cross that white line there's still a game of footy to win and it's on, no matter what. It always has been."

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