Sydney Derby (AFL)

Sydney Derby (AFL)
Pre-game at Sydney Derby I
Teams
First meeting24 March 2012
(GWS 37–100 Sydney)
Latest meeting7 September 2024
(Sydney 88–82 GWS)
Next meetingTBD
TrophyLifeline Cup
Statistics
Meetings total29
All-time series (AFL only) Sydney Swans 19 wins
GWS Giants 10 wins
Postseason results GWS Giants 3 wins
Sydney Swans 1 win
Largest victorySydney – 129 points
14 July 2013
Longest win streakSydney, 4
28 June 2014–12 June 2016 and 05 August 2023–present
Current win streakSydney, 4
05 August 2023–present

The Sydney Derby, formerly and unofficially called the Battle of the Bridge or the Battle of Sydney,[1][2][3] is an Australian rules football local derby match between the two Sydney-based Australian Football League (AFL) clubs, the Sydney Swans and the Greater Western Sydney Giants. As of the finals series of the 2024 AFL season, the head-to-head score is in favour of the Sydney Swans with 19 wins to 10; the teams have also met four times in finals matches, with Greater Western Sydney winning three finals to Sydney's one.

The match's former nickname, The Battle of the Bridge, was suggested by GWS's inaugural coach Kevin Sheedy. The bridge in question is the Anzac Bridge which connects Eastern and Western Sydney, not the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge, which connects North Sydney to the city part of Sydney.[4][5]

  1. ^ "Buddy Franklin stars as Swans outclass Giants in Sydney derby". theaustralian.com.au. The Australian. 9 April 2016. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
  2. ^ Warren, Adrian (9 April 2016). "Swans champ Adam Goodes takes a final bow". The New Daily. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
  3. ^ Wu, Andrew. "Sydney Swans remain a top four team says Greater Western Sydney coach Leon Cameron". The Age. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
  4. ^ Swans v GWS rivalry is building but yet to ignite, writes Richard Hinds.. dailytelegraph.com.au, June 9, 2016, Retrieved 2024-01-25
  5. ^ "Giants and Swans fight Battle of the Bridge". afl.com.au. 12 March 2013. Retrieved 29 April 2024.