King tips brutal battle of Sydney

SYDNEY’S second derby final in three years is predicted to break out into all-out “warfare” next week, with AFL analyst David King declaring the showdown will be the most brutal contest of the finals.

King says the Sydney Swans are renowned for dragging teams into “the trenches” but believes the pre-finals bye round gives the GWS Giants a chance to restock and arrive at the SCG on Saturday week ready and able to fight fire with fire.

Swans coach John Longmire did little to play down the potential viciousness of the game as he praised his players for rediscovering the hardnosed style of play that had deserted them when they had back-to-back losses against Gold Coast and Melbourne a month ago.