“Get the job done”: Giants stars pose as “exciting” test for Swans recruit

In the shadows of Charlie Curnow, former Hawthorn defender Jai Serong is another Swans recruit poised for a greater role and more opportunity at the senior level in 2026.

There's no better chance for him to become a Sydney fan favourite than on Thursday night against bitter rivals GWS, where his defensive intangibles and skillset will be greatly spotlighted against one of the better forward lines in the competition.

The Giants have named their sensational key forward trio of Aaron Cadman, Jesse Hogan, and Jake Stringer for the Community Series clash, with Serong anticipating that he'll be given the task of clamping up one of these scoreboard threats.

"For me, I'll play a mixture of tall and small," Serong said.

"It'll give me a good look at different guys, so it's exciting and something I'm looking forward to.

"Obviously, we'll have our preferred match-ups, guys that prefer to play on talls or smalls, but at the end of the day, we're an 18-man team defence. It'll be preferred matchups, but you just get the job done regardless."

Serong decided to move to Harbour City in October after lacking AFL opportunity at Hawthorn, featuring in just 10 games since being drafted in 2021, and playing exclusively in the VFL in 2025.

However, he looms as a sensational choice for Sydney to bolster their defensive stocks, given he was a class above his peers at the state level, recognised in the 2025 VFL Team of the Year.

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He will look to provide Sydney's key defensive duo of Nick Blakey and Tom McCartin with assistance off half-back, particularly ramping up the Swans' speed of ball movement, which has been a focus in senior coach Dean Cox's revamped system this pre-season. 

While there's no premiership points at stake, there's pride on the line in Thursday night's Sydney derby, the first of 2026. That extra element of heat is something that excites the Bloods' latest recruit.

"I'm looking forward to that [the Sydney derby rivalry]," Serong said.

"It's certainly a game the boys get up for, so hopefully it's the first win of many for me."

The ball will be first thrown up between Sydney and GWS at 4:10 pm (AEDT) at Henson Park.