GWS Giants v Sydney Swans AFL tips & odds – Saturday, August 5

GWS Giants v Sydney Swans best bets

GWS v Sydney match preview

This Saturday night, the GWS Giants host the Sydney Swans at Giants Stadium in the second Sydney Derby of the 2023 AFL season.

The Giants travelled down to Ballarat last weekend, where they beat the Western Bulldogs by five points. After a slow start, the Giants trailed by as much as 35 points in the third quarter. However, they then proceeded to kick nine of the last 12 goals to record their biggest-ever comeback win.

This win extends the GWS Giants‘ winning run to seven straight games, a club record. Sitting in sixth place on the ladder, the Giants now appear destined to play finals this season.

The Swans faced the Essendon Bombers last weekend at Marvel Stadium, winning by two points in a tense finish. A high-scoring game, the Swans broke away in the middle of the match with a seven-goal run either side of half time. A change in momentum saw the Bombers kick eight of the last 10 goals, but the Swans just held on in a thriller.

With their season on the line, the Sydney Swans have now won their last three matches and sit in 10th spot, just half a game outside the eight. If the Swans are to make the finals this season, they need keep this winning streak going until the end of the season.

With no new injuries to report, the Giants will be almost back to full strength on the weekend as they are expected to welcome back midfielder Tom Green. Key forward Jesse Hogan is also a possibility to return if he can get through training this week.

The Swans suffered a trio of calf injuries last weekend with Lance Franklin, Dane Rampe and Justin McInerney ruled out. With the height of the GWS forward line, expect Aaron Francis to return, while Tom Hickey is an option to return in the ruck. Dylan Stephens looks the most likely candidate to replace McInerney, with Matt Roberts and Corey Warner also in the conversation.

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GWS Giants v Sydney Swans betting strategy

With both sides coming into this match on winning streaks, expect a high-pressure contest between two teams fighting for top eight positions. These Giants and Swans faced each other back in round seven, where GWS pulled off a fourth-quarter comeback to win by a point at the SCG.

One of the form players in the AFL at the moment, GWS captain Toby Greene has been a constant match-winner this season. With two options of direct opponent, the Swans will need to decide whether to send the bigger-bodied Callum Mills or the more traditional small defender Harry Cunningham to limit his impact on the contest.

Going along strongly at the moment, it is hard to look past the Giants in this one at $1.78 with PlayUp.

Brent Daniels has shown his class as a small forward for GWS this season. Averaging 16 disposals and 1.4 goals a game, Daniels is crafty with the football and extremely agile at only 172cm. With most of the attention being put on Greene, look for Daniels to have greater opportunities and kick two or more goals at $2.20 with top AFL bookmakers.

After returning from injury two weeks ago, Chad Warner found form again on the weekend with 26 disposals and a goal. The Swans’ most damaging midfielder, Warner averages the most score involvements at the club. Expect his form to continue to improve as he collects 25 or more disposals at $1.74 with Neds.

Key matchup: Sam Taylor v Logan McDonald

Sam Taylor vs Logan McDonald

The most in-form defender in the AFL, Giants star Sam Taylor has been a problem for forwards this season. At his size, he is able to hold his own in the contest, while he also has the closing speed to spoil forwards on the lead. Against the inexperienced Swans tall forwards, he will be looking to control the air.

With Lance Franklin announcing his retirement during the week, Logan McDonald now assumes the role as the number one forward for the Swans. Facing a quality opponent, McDonald’s role won’t solely be hitting the scoreboard; he will also need to make his presence felt by attacking contests and bringing the ball to ground.

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