GWS look up to their cross town AFL rivals, but have vowed to go after the Swans in Saturday’s Sydney derby.

The Giants (1-1) have lost seven of the eight previous derbies to Sydney (2-0) and all three SCG encounters between the two sides, but are full of confidence after an upset win over Geelong.

The vast experience gap between the clubs has closed considerably this season, with Sydney bringing in several youngsters to replace five departed veterans and GWS acquiring crafty forward Steve Johnson.

Sydney have, however, kicked 38 goals to 17 in their first two games.

“They are a very impressive outfit as a team and as a club,” Giants’ forward Rhys Palmer said on Friday at the SCG.

“We sort of look up to them and the way they go about it.

“We do respect them quite a lot, but we know we have some really good players and we’ve got to stick to our strengths.

“We want to go after them and we’ll always respect opposition, but we know what we want to do and we’ll definitely take it up to them tomorrow night.”

Palmer is one of just four Giants outside former Swan Shane Mumford to have won at the SCG, doing so twice during his Fremantle days.

He said the key to doing well at the SCG started in the midfield.

“They (Sydney) have got a great midfield, (Dan) Hannebery, (Kieren) Jack, (Josh) Kennedy, so we’ve got to beat them and nullify their influence on the game,” Palmer said.

The red-hot Swans have a good idea of what to expect from GWS.

“Looking at the game last week against Geelong, they were very strong inside – they won the contested ball considerably,” Swans’ forwards coach Brett Kirk told AAP.

“They showed some speed and Tom Scully is having a really good start to the season.”

Palmer said Mumford hadn’t talked up playing against his old club.

“He’s been talking to (Giants general manager football operations) Wayne Campbell about a new contract for a couple of weeks now, so he’ll be looking to continue his great form,” Palmer said.

“Playing against your old side, you like to do your best and prove them wrong.

“We saw Stevie J doing it last week and I’m sure ‘Mummy’ will be doing it tomorrow night.”

Both teams have brought back a veteran.

Forward-midfielder Ben McGlynn replaces Dean Towers in the Swans’ line-up and Giants key defender Joel Patfull comes in for the injured Caleb Marchbank.

Sydney legend Adam Goodes and former Swans’ ruckman Mike Pyke will do a halftime lap of honour.