The biggest Sydney derby since the last one is here. It might be bigger. In fact, we’ll call it: it is bigger. The Swans are flying high on top of the AFL ladder, three games and percentage clear of the rest of the competition, while the Giants are hanging onto fifth position and trying to come back into form after winning for just the third time in their last eight outings.
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It’s huge. It’s at 4.35pm on Saturday at Engie Stadium. Let’s dive in.
Does Joel Amartey have another party in him?Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
After the Amartey Party comes the… after party, or hangover?
It was one of the most unexpected bags in recent memory – so now it’s time to see whether Joel Amartey’s nine-goal haul was a freak one-off or a sign of things to come from him. Controversially robbed of the chance to reach double-digits by what coach John Longmire insists was a pre-planned rotation, the 24-year-old should certainly be rested enough to make another impact.
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It must be some experience, going from relative obscurity to the national spotlight in one night, but that’s what a performance like the one Amartey produced against Adelaide does for a player’s profile. The biggest thing that’s been holding back Amartey – aside from his hamstring issues, which are hopefully behind him – has been a lack of consistency, and there’s no better opportunity to prove he’s come of age than to produce the goods when everyone’s watching you. Especially with what’s happened to the Giants in defence…
How do the Giants deal without Sam Taylor?
You may recall Sam Taylor’s allegations that Swans players are “smug” and “chirpy” types, which provided adequate pre-match fodder for the last derby. It didn’t go so well for him or the Giants. And sadly, he’ll be missing entirely from this derby due to a ruptured testicle. The Giants have a huge job on their hands in making up for his defensive output during Taylor’s projected two-week absence.
Sam Taylor ruptured his testicle against Port Adelaide.Credit: via Getty Images
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To make matters worse, Nick Haynes is out with a hamstring injury, which means it’ll be down to Harry Himmelberg, Jack Buckley and Leek Aleer to hold down the fort. While they’re all great defenders, they’re not as complete as Taylor. Consider the fact, too, that they’ll have to deal with a Swans forward mix that includes not only Amartey but Logan McDonald, Will Hayward, Tom Papley and Hayden McLean, while Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner and Errol Gulden all contribute goals from midfield. Only one of those players needs to get off the leash for it to hurt.
