Coaches complimentary ahead of AFL derby

Jul 10, 2017 - 3:03 AM The prospect of injury-hit AFL premiership favourites Greater Western Sydney lifting another level is "frightening", according to John Longmire.

Sydney coach Longmire and GWS counterpart Leon Cameron visited Spotless Stadium on Monday, when they were flanked by respective captains Josh Kennedy and Phil Davis for a press conference.

None of the four were ready to light any fuses or lob any barbs ahead of the derby that will unfold, most likely in front of a sold-out crowd, at the same venue on Saturday night.

Instead there were mountains of mutual respect, with Longmire leading the way when asked if the Giants have room for improvement given their patchy form this year.

"If that's the case, it's a bit frightening," Longmire said.

"Because they're sitting second on the ladder now with 11 wins.

"They've got an incredible depth in their team, which has been demonstrated by how they've handled their injuries this year. They're a very strong team."

GWS, who are coming off back-to-back draws, are yet to roll out their first-choice side this year because of a series of serious setbacks.

Sydney also had their fair share of injury trouble earlier this year. This weekend they should be boosted by the return of Kennedy, who noted the club made a "conservative" call in forcing him to miss the win over Gold Coast.

Cameron was upbeat about Toby Greene, Steve Johnson and Zac Williams' chances of returning against the Swans.

Cameron was also optimistic regarding the finals' hopes of the cross-town rivals, who sit eighth on the ladder despite opening their campaign with six straight losses.

It was Sydney's worst start to a season since 1993, when they collected the wooden spoon.

No side in VFL/AFL history has ever rallied from a 0-5 start and reached finals, let alone 0-6.

"Their start of the year was surprising to everyone. They didn't shy away from it," Cameron said.

"They got down to work and their last two months have been typical.

"They play every quarter like it's their last, they're playing some very, very good footy ... there's no reason to think they can't continue on with it."

Despite the love-in, both men made it clear it would be foolish to suggest Sydney's rivalry is confected or perfunctory.

That might have been the case in the early years of the Giants' existence, when former coach Kevin Sheedy did his best to drum up interest despite repeated drubbings.

But a series of events in recent years have added plenty of heat to the fire, most notably GWS thumping the Swans in a 2017 qualifying final at ANZ Stadium.

Source: AAP