Resurgent Greater Western Sydney are excited rather than fearful heading into a clash with red hot local rival Sydney.
The Giants, who pulled off one of the great shocks in the AFL with an opening round win over Sydney, are coming off successive victories for the first time in their history.
Third-placed Sydney are the league’s hottest side, surfing a wave of nine straight wins going into Saturday’s SCG clash.
While the odds are stacked against GWS extending their modest record winning streak, GWS coach Leon Cameron is heartened by a distinct lift in form over the past month.
“We feel as though we’ve got our game back on track in the last four weeks,” Cameron said.
“It’s a huge challenge, we understand it’s a massive challenge.
“But one thing for sure is this young club are looking forward to that challenge.”
Spearheading the GWS effort will be former Swans ruckman Shane Mumford, whose return from injury has coincided with the Giants’ lift in performance.
The Giants have a 4-4 record this season when Mumford has played.
He was a major factor in Sunday’s win over Carlton, logging 55 hitouts.
“He’s enormous for our footy club,” Cameron said of Mumford.
“It’s no surprise to see Dylan Shiel, Callan Ward, Adam Treloar and Stephen Coniglio play some really good football on the back of Shane Mumford.
“And he’ll be looking forward to taking on his old side next Saturday night.”
GWS moved up two spots to 14th with the win over Carlton, but only four points separates the 12th placed Blues from bottom of the ladder St Kilda, six spots further down.
One person who has no doubt GWS have the makings of a formidable unit is Carlton coach Mick Malthouse.
“They are going to be a very, very powerful side when they get a bit more maturity,” Malthouse said.
The GWS coach is hoping his namesake Jeremy Cameron will be back from an ankle injury to face Sydney, but says Tom Scully will miss a second straight game with a hamstring issue.
In Jeremy Cameron’s absence, Jonathon Patton stepped up against Carlton, tallying an equal career-best nine marks.
“With each game I play I’m more confident,” said forward Patton, who has played every game this year after managing just 10 in his first two injury-plagued seasons.
