Sydney's two clubs, both decimated by injuries this season, have never faced off in a more high-stakes contest during the regular season.

Third-placed GWS can go a long way to securing a coveted double chance in finals with victory on Saturday, while the resurgent Swans are sixth on the ladder.

The Giants are fully expected to better their highest crowd at Spotless, which was the 21,924 fans that watched last year's derby.

"We're basically sold out, there's a few tickets to go," GWS chief executive Dave Matthews told the crowd at a corporate lunch on Thursday.

"That's what you want every year. You need a situation where regardless of where the Swans and Giants are on the ladder, there are two punch-ons that people want to look at. Like State of Origin."

There is no love lost between the rivals, who have had some fierce and fiery encounters in recent years, but this week's build-up has been devoid of barbs or bitterness.

Matthews and Swans counterpart Andrew Ireland were on the same page throughout Thursday's panel discussion, especially when it came to the Victoria-centric nature of the competition.

"You've got to work out what a good crowd is in this market and now always compare it with what is in Melbourne," Ireland said.

"We're really proud when we get 35,000 to our games ... you only have to look at some of the crowds that get to rugby league.

"It does take a bit of time."

Matthews admitted the relationship between the Swans and Giants was one of "ultimate competition on the field and ultimate collaboration off the field".

"We've learned a lot from them and we're both here to grow the game, and that's what is happening," he said.

Former Giants forward Steve Johnson, now an assistant coach at the Swans, suggested a genuine on-field rivalry had built over time and that former teammate Shane Mumford had played a big role.

"Mummy had a little bit to do with it," Johnson quipped, sitting alongside Mumford.

"He got into Buddy at one stage there and laid a couple of big hits on them.

"I noticed it (heated up in that 2016 qualifying final) ... when you had the two sides vying for a premiership.

"Saturday is another really big game that could help shape each club's season."

Australian Associated Press