Ranking the top 10 Sydney Derby matches

After entering the competition in 2012, it would take some years of embarrassment before Greater Western Sydney would compete and challenge the Swans' dominance over them to establish one of the best rivalries in the league. The Swans hold the bragging rights after winning 20 out of the 31 matches between the two Sydney clubs, while Luke Parker has won the most Brett Kirk medals with five. Here's my ranking of the 10 most exciting games between the clubs in the lead-up to their 32nd meeting this Friday at the SCG. Round 3, 2016 Sydney 14.19 (93) defeated Greater Western Sydney 10.8 (68) The Giants battled hard with big games from Tom Scully, Lachie Whitfield and Dylan Shiel, but the Swans were able to break the game open in the final term with four unanswered goals off the back of a four-goal game from Lance Franklin for the win. [caption id="attachment_22744" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 12: Lance Franklin of the Swans celebrates a goal during the 2018 AFL round 21 match between the Melbourne Demons and the Sydney Swans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 12, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Round 17, 2017 Sydney 14.12 (96) defeated Greater Western Sydney 12.11 (83) For a crucial spot in the standings with both teams battling inside the top 8, Sydney would open out to an early two-goal lead that they hold throughout the game. Steve Johnson's goal early in the fourth brought the Giants within a goal, but Sydney and Tom Papley had other ideas as he ran into an open goal square with 3 minutes left to seal a Swans win. Round 5, 2021 Greater Western Sydney 9.17 (71) defeated Sydney 10.9 (69) In what was one of Toby Green's worst games for the Giants after scoring 1.7, the Swans looked to extend their win streak to five to start the season with a big five-goal game from Lance Franklin. However, Tim Taranto's 27 disposals and especially Josh Kelly's clutch goal late in the fourth quarter helped to seal the upset win. Round 1, 2014 Greater Western Sydney 15.9 (99) defeated Sydney 9.13 (67) What marked the Giants' first-ever win over the Swans after losing the first four that saw a dramatic change in the weather, both literally and figuratively for their rivalry. After an electrical storm stopped play for 25-minutes at quarter time, the Giants kicked six unanswered goals in the last quarter to spoil Lance Franklin's first game for the red and white. [caption id="attachment_139964" align="alignnone" width="1749"] GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 06: Toby Greene of the Giants celebrates a goal during the round 21 AFL match between Geelong Cats and Greater Western Sydney Giants at GMHBA Stadium on August 06, 2021 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)[/caption] Round 20, 2019 Greater Western Sydney 12.11 (83) defeated Sydney 12.9 (81) The closest game between the two clubs at the time was one of panic for Giants fans after overcoming a slow start and surviving a late surge by Sydney. Jacob Hooper's career-high of three goals to add to his 26 disposals was the defining factor for the Giants, while Sam Reid's dropped mark at the top of the goal square with a minute left put the final nail in the Swans coffin. Round 7, 2023 Greater Western Sydney 17.5 (107) defeated Sydney 16.10 (106) Sydney took control of the game after trailing by 10 at the half with a six-goal third term. Toby Greene would boot four goals for the match, topped off by an across-the-body snap 25 metres out to win the game in the final minute for the Giants and took home the Brett Kirk medal in the process. Round 20, 2025 Greater Western Sydney 15.12 (102) defeated Sydney 8.10 (58) One of the best modern comebacks you'll see, GWS trailed by 35-points at one stage before a dominant third term surge that swung the entire momentum of the game, snapping nine goals to Sydney's one in the third quarter. Finn Callaghan, Harry Himmelberg and Lachie Whitfield were shined for the Giants in what became a defiant 44-point win. Qualifying Final, 2016 Greater Western Sydney 12.19 (91) defeated Sydney 7.13 (55) The first time both Sydney sides met in the finals was one that solidified its place in the history books. GWS dominated the second half after a tight contest despite missing Steve Johnson to suspension after his prior bump on Josh Kennedy, with Jeremy Cameron stepping up in his absence and having one of his first many great finals games by booting a staggering 4-goals. [caption id="attachment_35149" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 21: Jeremy Cameron of the Giants celebrates a goal during the 2019 AFL First Preliminary Final match between the Collingwood Magpies and the GWS Giants at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 21, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)[/caption] Elimination Final, 2021 Greater Western Sydney 11.8 (74) defeated Sydney 10.13 (73) With survival on the line as well as state pride, this game couldn't have given fans more in terms of stakes. Played in Launceston, Toby Greene once again made headlines in multiple ways, snapping three goals and making contact with an umpire that would cost him six weeks. Sydney stormed in the final term, but their inaccuracy would cost them after kicking six consecutive behinds that allowed the Giants to hang on with the win. Qualifying Final, 2024 Sydney 13.10 (88) defeated Greater Western Sydney 12.10 (82) Emotions were tested on one of the biggest stages in footy, with stars Toby Greene and Tom Papley having an early scuffle that ignited a game of high tension. The Giants were close to snatching the win, but the late-game heroics by Isaac Heeney pushed them over the line with a speccy over Jack Buckley and a goal from centre square fueling the Swans' resurgence as they came back from being 20-points down to secure a spot in a preliminary final. [caption id="attachment_150945" align="alignnone" width="2131"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 04: Isaac Heeney of the Swans celebrates kicking a goal during the round eight AFL match between Sydney Swans and Greater Western Sydney Giants at SCG, on May 04, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/AFL Photos/via Getty Images )[/caption]

		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	SYD	5	4	1	16	175.5
2	FRE	5	4	1	16	131.4
3	HAW	5	4	1	16	121
4	WB	5	4	1	16	120.7
5	GC	5	3	2	12	132
6	BL	5	3	2	12	115
7	NMFC	5	3	2	12	105.9
8	GEEL	5	3	2	12	101.5
9	COLL	6	3	3	12	94.8
10	MELB	5	3	2	12	92.7

Ranking the top 10 Sydney Derby matches

The battle of the bridge has delivered many exciting matches during a short timespan, but where do they rank?

7Round 1, 2014

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