Beating the Swans in Saturday’s Sydney derby would ease some of the pain being felt by the GWS Giants as they face the reality of missing this year’s AFL finals series.
The 15th-placed Giants have nothing to play for but pride for the rest of an awful season which has so far yielded them just five wins from 18 matches.
Giants co-captain Stephen Coniglio admitted it was hard accepting the prospect of a season without finals football.
“As a player and in a competitive sport that we do play in, finals is something that once you do get a taste of it, you want to be in it every year,” Coniglio said.
“For me personally and a lot of the players, it has been hard adjusting over the last few weeks.
“Usually this time of year you’re really looking forward to September and what that could potentially bring for your football club.”
However, while the Giants won’t feature in September, they have a “final” of sorts on Saturday against their arch rivals at the SCG.
“This is a bit different to a final but it is exciting,” Coniglio said.
“The last few weeks haven’t been great … but it’s always a privilege to play at the SCG and (against) quality opposition and one (team) that we really do love playing against.
“It could be a scrappy game but it’s just going to come down to who wants it more on Saturday.”
Giants coach Mark McVeigh said his side needed to finish the season “in the right way”.
“Our players need to make sure they finish well because you’re representing the footy club, (and) you’re representing the supporters,” McVeigh said.
“We’re very fortunate to be playing in such a big game at such a great venue against such a great team and that should spur you on.”
Swans coach John Longmire said his team was still striving for consistency in its push for a top-four berth.
“We’re still aiming for that improvement,” Longmire said.
Longmire would not commit to selecting veteran Josh Kennedy for Saturday’s match despite his impressive return – including 37 disposals – from a hamstring injury in the VFL.
“Whether he comes in this week, we’re not sure. We’ll go through that (on Thursday),” he said.
“He’s feeling good with his body, he’s in good form and that’s a good spot to be.
“We’re still confident he’s got a role. We’re confident in the back half of the year that he can be really helpful for us.”
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