 Pre-game at Sydney Derby I | |
| First meeting | 24 March 2012 (GWS 37–100 Sydney) |
|---|---|
| Latest meeting | 25 July 2025 (GWS 102–58 Sydney) |
| Next meeting | 17 April 2026 |
| Trophy | Lifeline Cup |
| Statistics | |
| Meetings total | 31 |
| All-time series (AFL only) |  Sydney 20 wins.svg) GWS 11 wins |
| Postseason results | GWS 3 wins Sydney 1 win |
| Largest victory | Sydney – 129 points 14 July 2013 |
| Longest win streak | Sydney, 5 05 August 2023–04 May 2025 |
| Current win streak | Greater Western Sydney, 1 25 July 2025–present |
TheSydney Derby is an Australian rules football local derby match between the two Sydney-basedAustralian Football League (AFL) clubs, theSydney Swans and theGreater Western Sydney Giants (also known as the GWS Giants or GWS). As of Round 20 of the2025 AFL season, the head-to-head score is in favour of the Sydney Swans with 20 wins to 11; the teams have also met four times infinals matches, with GWS winning three finals to Sydney's one.
The fixture was formerly known by the title "Battle of the Bridge," which was coined by inaugural Greater Western Sydney coachKevin Sheedy. The bridge in question was intended to be theAnzac Bridge which links the Sydney CBD to the Inner West. However, it was often mistakenly understood to be the world famousSydney Harbour Bridge which joins the city centre toNorth Sydney. Due to this ambiguity, former Swans captainKieren Jack noted in a 2021 interview that the clubs ultimately "settled" on the term "Sydney Derby". While the original term persists in the media, it is no longer used officially.[1][2][3]
The first Sydney Derby was held on 24 March 2012, serving as the Giants' first AFL premiership match in its inaugural season and the opening match of the 2012 season. Fielding a very young and inexperienced team, the Giants only won three games in their first two years in the competition and failed to win any derby games.
The Giants won their first derby in the opening clash of 2014. Later that year,The Daily Telegraph noted there was "genuine dislike off the field" between the clubs.[4] Over the subsequent years, the Giants progressively moved up the AFL ladder and got closer to the Swans, who were premiership contenders during this time. The opening derby of 2015 attracted a crowd of over 30,000, the since the first derby. With both teams vying for a top-four spot at the end of the season, Derby X in 2016 was described as a blockbuster.[5] In the lead up to the game,The Daily Telegraph published an article analysing the rivalry. Though noting that Sydney's surprise recruitment ofLance Franklin created some animosity between the clubs, the article went on to say, "What the rivalry needs is aflash point. ... Something to make it clear that when the Swans and Giants meet there is real feeling. Not the slightly awkward yet mutually respectful détente that currently exists."[6] After the game, the paper declared that an altercation betweenSteve Johnson and Lance Franklin "was the moment of sporting theatre that inspired a rivalry to truly ignite".[7] It was the first AFL game atSydney Showground Stadium to be declared a sell-out.[8][9]
The firstfinals series match between the teams was on 10 September 2016, when the Swans hosted the Giants in the1st qualifying final of the 2016 season. The Giants defeated the Swans by 36 points, an historic victory considering it was the Giants' first win in a finals series match and was played before a record derby crowd of 60,222.[10][11] The two teams met again in a finals match in the2018 second elimination final.[12] The Giants registered their biggest-ever victory over the Swans, winning by 49 points in front of a crowd of 40,350.[13]
In August 2020, the two teams contested a Sydney Derby atOptus Stadium in Perth, due to concerns over a second wave ofcoronavirus cases in Sydney,[14] whileSydney's outbreak in July 2021 saw that month's fixture moved first toMars Stadium inBallarat,[15] then toMetricon Stadium following aCOVID-19 outbreak in Victoria.[16]
The two teams met in a Sydney Derby final for the third time in2021, with that match taking place atUniversity of Tasmania Stadium inLaunceston, Tasmania.[17] In front of a crowd of 8,635, the Giants defeated the Swans by 1 point, the narrowest winning margin in the derby's history.
The two venues usually used for the Sydney Derby are theSydney Cricket Ground for Swans home games andSydney Showground Stadium for Giants home games. The first three Sydney Derbies and the2016 finals series derby were held atStadium Australia. During theCOVID-19 pandemic, three Sydney Derbies were played at neutral grounds:Optus Stadium in Perth,[14]Metricon Stadium in Gold Coast,[16]University of Tasmania Stadium in Launceston.[17]
| Year | Date | Rd | Home Team | Score | Away Team | Score | Ground | Crowd | Result/Winner | M | H2H | |
| I | 2012 | 24/03 | 1 | .svg) GWS | 5.7 (37) | Sydney | 14.16 (100) | Stadium Australia | 38,203 | Sydney | 63 | +1 |
| II | 30/06 | 14 | Sydney | 19.18 (132) | GWS | 5.8 (38) | 22,565 | Sydney | 94 | +2 | ||
| III | 2013 | 30/03 | 1 | GWS | 11.10 (76) | Sydney | 16.10 (106) | 23,690 | Sydney | 30 | +3 | |
| IV | 14/07 | 16 | Sydney | 24.27 (171) | GWS | 5.12 (42) | Sydney Cricket Ground | 21,757 | Sydney | 129 | +4 | |
| V | 2014 | 15/03 | 1 | GWS | 15.9 (99) | Sydney | 9.13 (67) | Sydney Showground Stadium | 17,102 | GWS | 32 | +3 |
| VI | 28/06 | 15 | Sydney | 15.16 (106) | GWS | 8.12 (60) | Sydney Cricket Ground | 27,778 | Sydney | 46 | +4 | |
| VII | 2015 | 18/04 | 3 | Sydney | 16.15 (111) | GWS | 12.18 (90) | 31,966 | Sydney | 21 | +5 | |
| VIII | 22/08 | 21 | GWS | 6.8 (44) | Sydney | 20.13 (133) | Sydney Showground Stadium | 19,507 | Sydney | 89 | +6 | |
| IX | 2016 | 09/04 | 3 | Sydney | 14.9 (93) | GWS | 10.8 (68) | Sydney Cricket Ground | 37,045 | Sydney | 25 | +7 |
| X | 12/06 | 12 | GWS | 15.15 (105) | Sydney | 9.9 (63) | Sydney Showground Stadium | 21,541 | GWS | 42 | +6 | |
| XI | 10/09 | QF | Sydney | 7.13 (55) | GWS | 12.19 (91) | Stadium Australia | 60,222 | GWS | 36 | +5 | |
| XII | 2017 | 22/04 | 5 | Sydney | 9.9 (63) | GWS | 15.15 (105) | Sydney Cricket Ground | 34,824 | GWS | 42 | +4 |
| XIII | 15/07 | 17 | GWS | 12.11 (83) | Sydney | 14.12 (96) | Sydney Showground Stadium | 21,924 | Sydney | 13 | +5 | |
| XIV | 2018 | 07/04 | 3 | Sydney | 16.7 (103) | GWS | 12.15 (87) | Sydney Cricket Ground | 34,711 | Sydney | 16 | +6 |
| XV | 18/08 | 22 | GWS | 8.12 (60) | Sydney | 11.14 (80) | Sydney Showground Stadium | 21,433 | Sydney | 20 | +7 | |
| XVI | 08/09 | EF | Sydney | 4.6 (30) | GWS | 10.19 (79) | Sydney Cricket Ground | 40,350 | GWS | 49 | +6 | |
| XVII | 2019 | 27/04 | 6 | Sydney | 12.7 (79) | GWS | 18.12 (120) | 29,780 | GWS | 41 | +5 | |
| XVIII | 03/08 | 20 | GWS | 12.11 (83) | Sydney | 12.9 (81) | Sydney Showground Stadium | 16,116 | GWS | 2 | +4 | |
| XIX | 2020 | 13/08 | 12 | Sydney | 10.6 (66) | GWS | 3.7 (25) | Perth Stadium | 6,464[a] | Sydney | 41 | +5 |
| XX | 2021 | 17/04 | 5 | Sydney | 10.9 (69) | GWS | 9.17 (71) | Sydney Cricket Ground | 33,541 | GWS | 2 | +4 |
| XXI | 18/07 | 18 | GWS | 11.6 (72) |  Sydney | 15.8 (98) | Carrara Stadium | 2,374[a] | Sydney | 26 | +5 | |
| XXII | 28/08 | EF | Sydney | 10.13 (73) | GWS | 11.8 (74) | York Park | 8,635 | GWS | 1 | +4 | |
| XXIII | 2022 | 19/03 | 1 | GWS | 13.14 (92) | Sydney | 17.10 (112) | Stadium Australia | 25,572 | Sydney | 20 | +5 |
| XXIV | 30/07 | 20 | Sydney | 17.10 (112) | GWS | 5.9 (39) | Sydney Cricket Ground | 31,916 | Sydney | 73 | +6 | |
| XXV | 2023 | 29/04 | 7 | Sydney | 16.10 (106) | GWS | 17.5 (107) | 31,615 | GWS | 1 | +5 | |
| XXVI | 05/08 | 21 | GWS | 12.13 (85) | Sydney | 15.6 (96) | Sydney Showground Stadium | 19,332 | Sydney | 11 | +6 | |
| XXVII | 2024 | 04/05 | 8 | Sydney | 14.14 (98) | GWS | 10.9 (69) | Sydney Cricket Ground | 40,337 | Sydney | 29 | +7 |
| XXVIII | 22/06 | 15 | GWS | 11.9 (75) | Sydney | 15.12 (102) | Sydney Showground Stadium | 19,751 | Sydney | 27 | +8 | |
| XXIX | 07/09 | QF | Sydney | 13.10 (88) | GWS | 12.10 (82) | Sydney Cricket Ground | 43,189 | Sydney | 6 | +9 | |
| XXX | 2025 | 03/05 | 8 | Sydney | 12.15 (87) | GWS | 10.13 (73) | 39,260 | Sydney | 14 | +10 | |
| XXXI | 25/07 | 20 | GWS | 15.12 (102) | Sydney | 8.10 (58) | Sydney Showground Stadium | 18,536 | GWS | 44 | +9 | |
| XXXII | 2026 | 17/04 | 6 | Sydney | GWS | Sydney Cricket Ground | ||||||
| XXXIII | TBC | 20 | GWS | Sydney | Sydney Showground Stadium |
Source:Click here
a Crowds impacted byCOVID-19
The Brett Kirk Medal is awarded to the player deemed to be the best player on the ground after the match. It is named after Sydney Swans AFL premiership playerBrett Kirk, who was born and raised in countryNew South Wales and played junior football forNorth Albury.Players highlighted in green are current players for either club.
| Year | Match | Medalist | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | I | Josh Kennedy | Sydney |
| II | Kieren Jack | Sydney | |
| 2013 | III | Kieren Jack (2) | Sydney |
| IV | Nick Malceski | Sydney | |
| 2014 | V | Callan Ward | GWS |
| VI | Kieren Jack (3) | Sydney | |
| 2015 | VII | Dan Hannebery | Sydney |
| VIII | Josh Kennedy (2) | Sydney | |
| 2016 | IX | Luke Parker | Sydney |
| X | Heath Shaw | GWS | |
| 2017 | XII | Shane Mumford | GWS |
| XIII | Lance Franklin | Sydney | |
| Callan Ward (2) | GWS | ||
| 2018 | XIV | Callum Mills | Sydney |
| XV | Lance Franklin (2) | Sydney | |
| 2019 | XVII | Tim Taranto | GWS |
| XVIII | Jacob Hopper | GWS | |
| 2020 | XIX | Luke Parker (2) | Sydney |
| 2021 | XX | Lance Franklin (3) | Sydney |
| XXI | Luke Parker (3) | Sydney | |
| 2022 | XXIII | Luke Parker (4) | Sydney |
| XXIV | Luke Parker (5) | Sydney | |
| 2023 | XXV | Toby Greene | GWS |
| XXVI | Errol Gulden | Sydney | |
| 2024 | XXVII | Errol Gulden (2) | Sydney |
| XXVIII | Errol Gulden (3) | Sydney | |
| 2025 | XXX | Chad Warner | Sydney |
| XXXI | Finn Callaghan | GWS |
NOTE: No medal was awarded in Sydney Derby XI, Sydney Derby XVI, Sydney Derby XXII or Sydney Derby XXIX due to those matches being finals matches.
| Number | Player | Team | Matches |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Luke Parker | Sydney | IX (2016) XIX (2020) XXI (2021) XXII, XXIV (2022) |
| 3 | Lance Franklin | Sydney | XIII (2017) XV (2018) XX (2021) |
| 3 | Kieran Jack | Sydney | II (2012) III (2013) VI (2014) |
| 3 | Errol Gulden | Sydney | XXVI (2023) XXVII, XXVIII (2024) |
Below are listed statistics from the Sydney Derby only.
| Club | Round | Goals | Behinds | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Sydney | 2013, Round 16 | 24 | 27 | 171 |
| Sydney | 2015, Round 21 | 20 | 13 | 133 |
| Sydney | 2012, Round 14 | 19 | 18 | 132 |
 GWS | 2019, Round 6 | 18 | 12 | 120 |
| Sydney | 2022, Round 20 | 17 | 10 | 112 |
| Club | Round | Goals | Behinds | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GWS | 2020, Round 12 | 3 | 7 | 25 |
| Sydney | 2018, Elimination Final | 4 | 6 | 30 |
| GWS | 2012, Round 1 | 5 | 7 | 37 |
| GWS | 2012, Round 14 | 5 | 8 | 38 |
| GWS | 2022, Round 20 | 5 | 9 | 39 |
| Club | Round | Winning score | Losing score | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | 2013, Round 16 | 24.27 (171) | 5.12 (42) | 129 |
| Sydney | 2012, Round 14 | 19.18 (132) | 5.8 (38) | 94 |
| Sydney | 2015, Round 21 | 20.13 (133) | 6.8 (44) | 89 |
| Sydney | 2022, Round 20 | 17.10 (112) | 5.9 (39) | 73 |
| Sydney | 2012, Round 1 | 14.16 (100) | 5.7 (37) | 63 |
| GWS | 2018, Elimination Final | 10.19 (79) | 4.6 (30) | 49 |
| Club | Round | Winning score | Losing score | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GWS | 2023, Round 7 | 17.5 (107) | 16.10 (106) | 1 |
| GWS | 2021, Elimination Final | 11.8 (74) | 10.13 (73) | 1 |
| GWS | 2019, Round 20 | 12.11 (83) | 12.9 (81) | 2 |
| GWS | 2021, Round 5 | 9.17 (71) | 10.9 (69) | 2 |
| Sydney | 2024, Qualifying Final | 13.10 (88) | 12.10 (82) | 6 |
| Sydney | 2023, Round 21 | 15.6 (96) | 12.13 (85) | 11 |
Players highlighted in green are still on AFL lists for either Sydney or Greater Western Sydney. Updated to the end of 2024.
| Player | Club | Date | Goals | Behinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lance Franklin | Sydney | 2015, Round 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Lance Franklin | Sydney | 2018, Round 22 | 5 | 4 |
| Lance Franklin | Sydney | 2014, Round 15 | 5 | 3 |
| Kurt Tippett | Sydney | 2015, Round 21 | 5 | 3 |
| Luke Parker | Sydney | 2022, Round 1 | 5 | 1 |
| Lance Franklin | Sydney | 2021, Round 5 | 5 | 0 |
| Jeremy Cameron | GWS | 2016, Qualifying Final | 4 | 4 |
| Lance Franklin | Sydney | 2017, Round 17 | 4 | 4 |
| Player | Club | Goals | Behinds | Accuracy | Games | Goals/Game |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lance Franklin | Sydney | 50 | 32 | 61.0% | 17 | 2.94 |
| Toby Greene | GWS | 36 | 28 | 56.3% | 21 | 1.71 |
| Jeremy Cameron | GWS | 33 | 23 | 58.2% | 16 | 2.13 |
| Tom Papley | Sydney | 27 | 16 | 62.8% | 18 | 1.50 |
| Isaac Heeney | Sydney | 25 | 14 | 64.1% | 20 | 1.25 |
| Player | Club | Date | Disposals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Errol Gulden | Sydney | 2024, Round 15 | 41 |
| Tom Green | GWS | 2023, Round 21 | 38 |
| Jarrad McVeigh | Sydney | 2012, Round 14 | 37 |
| Lachie Whitfield | GWS | 2015, Round 3 | 37 |
| Ryan O'Keefe | Sydney | 2012, Round 14 | 36 |
| Jarrad McVeigh | Sydney | 2013, Round 16 | 35 |
| Dan Hannebery | Sydney | 2015, Round 3 | 35 |
| Josh Kennedy | Sydney | 2015, Round 21 | 35 |
| Tom Green | GWS | 2024, Round 15 | 35 |
Brownlow Votes as of the end of the 2023 AFL season.
| Player | Club | Votes | H&A | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luke Parker | Sydney | 19 | 24 | 0.79 |
| Josh Kennedy | Sydney | 16 | 22 | 0.73 |
| Lance Franklin | Sydney | 15 | 17 | 0.88 |
| Shane Mumford | GWS &Sydney | 8 | 16 | 0.5 |
| Kieran Jack | Sydney | 7 | 16 | 0.44 |
Coaches highlighted in green are the current head coach for either Sydney or Greater Western Sydney.
| Coach | Club | Years | Total | Wins | Losses | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Longmire | Sydney | 2012–2024 | 24 | 17 | 7 | 70.83% |
| Adam Kingsley | GWS | 2023– | 5 | 1 | 4 | 20.00% |
| Leon Cameron | GWS | 2014–2022 | 15 | 7 | 8 | 46.66% |
| Kevin Sheedy | GWS | 2012–2013 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0.00% |
| Mark McVeigh | GWS | 2022 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0.00% |
Greater Western Sydney andSydney also each compete in theAFL Women's competition, Greater Western Sydney having joined the inaugural competition, and Sydney joining in2022 (S7). The following Sydney Derbies have since been played in the AFL Women's competition.
| Year | Date | Round | Home team | Away team | Score | Winner | Venue | Attendance[a] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S7 (2022) | 10 September 2022 | 3 | Sydney | GWS | 18 - 65 | GWS | SCG | 4,223 |
| 2023 | 3 September 2023 | 1 | Sydney | GWS | 51 - 46 | Sydney | North Sydney Oval | 5,474 |
