Sydney Derby action featured in the first week of the AFL finals, as the Sydney Swans hosted GWS at the SCG and it certainly didn't disappoint.
The Giants raced out to a commanding lead in the qualifying final only to get run down late on against their bitter rivals, who claimed a 13.10 (88) to 12.10 (82) victory in front of a raucous home crowd.
The win has seen the Swans book a home preliminary final, while forcing the Giants to try and back up from the heartbreaking loss with a semi-final clash against either Brisbane or Carlton.
The Sporting News looks at the history of the Sydney Derby in the AFL finals.
MORE: 2024 AFL finals fixtures | AFL injury list ahead of finals
Who has won more Sydney Derby finals?
Prior to this weekend's clash, there had only been three Sydney Derby finals in the history of the match, and one team had won them all.
Despite having less premiership pedigree and history than their older brother, GWS had won every Sydney Derby clash in the AFL finals.
However, this record was tipped on its head when the Swans produced a stirring late comeback at the SCG in their qualifying final clash to claim their first scalp against their rivals in the post-season.
Meanwhile, it took five seasons for the first finals clash between the sides to eventuate, with the Giants getting a surprise 36-point win in the 2016 qualifying final (though the Swans would later make the grand final).
Two years later, the Giants recorded their finest moment over their city rivals, ending their season in the elimination final with a 79-30 win at the SCG, which was the Swans' lowest ever score in the derby.
A meeting between the sides then came in the COVID-impacted 2021 season, meaning their elimination final had to be played in Tasmania; the Giants once again proved too good, winning by a point to eliminate the Swans.
Sydney Derby head-to-head history, records
Despite the Giants getting the better of the Swans in the postseason, the Swans still have the upper hand over their younger brother, having won 19 times to the Giants' 10 wins.
They had superiority in the early years of the fixture when the Giants were still a struggling expansion franchise, winning eight of the first nine derby clashes.
As the Giants improved, they began to even up the ledger, winning seven of the 11 clashes between 2016 and 2021.
However, the Swans have reasserted their authority and have won the last four derby matches.
How did the Swans and Giants finish in the 2024 AFL season?
The Swans had a remarkably successful season, winning the minor premiership for the first time since 2012.
At one point it looked like the Swans were going to run away with it, winning 15 of their first 16 matches, before going on a run of five losses in six games (one of which was a scarcely believable 124-point loss to Port Adelaide).
They recovered to win their final three matches and finish four points ahead of the Power.
The Giants also had a strong end of the season; whilst they were 10th in Round 16, their run of form at the back end of the season saw them power into the top four, only finishing fourth due to a final round loss to the Western Bulldogs.
They lost both Sydney Derbies by 29 points and 27 points respectively.
