Sydney coach Dean Cox has reiterated his stance that Friday night's game against GWS should be a standalone fixture.
This Friday night starts a streak of five rounds in six weeks where two games will be played on Friday.
It comes as the Swans play their first home game for a month and footy is played in New South Wales for the first time since Round 2.
“I firmly believe we deserve a standalone game on a Friday night and I think every team on a Friday night should get a standalone game unless you get one game starts straight after another one,” Cox said.
“If you look around the world, their peak games are standalone games and I've always thought Friday night football was to showcase your football club and it should be done with one other football club only.
“Since I've been here, the build-up (of a derby) from external becomes internal. I think that's the great thing about these games is that we play each other often and we're generally two really good football teams and going at it in a fierce way but also a respectful way so I can't wait for Friday night.”
Sydney Chief Executive Matthew Pavlich has reached out to AFL Chief Operating Officer Tom Harley for clarification on the reasons behind the move.
Cox also poured praise on Isaac Heeney, who is in rare form, having added a notable hard defensive edge to complement his firepower.
“He's certainly up there (with the best players in the competition),” Cox said.
“I don't like saying who's better than the other, but he deserves to be spoken about.
“The thing with Isaac first and foremost is he'll do whatever the team needs him to do. He'll openly say that in front of everyone.
“If we need him ahead of the ball, he'll be ahead of the ball, if we need him winning contest and clearances doing the bullocking work, then that's what he'll do.
“What stood out on the weekend was his ability to win clearances and pressure the opposition.”
Cox stopped short of confirming whether tagger James Jordon would play on Finn Callaghan.
Callaghan is coming off a 37-disposal performance, with Jordon performing the role the last time the clubs matched up.
