Hawthorn's heart stopping victory against Collingwood means Greater Western Sydney will make their finals debut against cross-town rival the Swans in what is already being billed as the biggest game in the history of the code in NSW. The match-up will take the rivalry between the two clubs to another level.

Controversially, the match will be played at the neutral ANZ Stadium, a short walk from the Giants' Sydney Olympic Park base, as part of the deal struck between the AFL and the venue last week. First bounce is at 3.20pm on Saturday, September 10.

While the Swans have welcomed the return of finals back to the SCG, they are privately disappointed they have to "host" the Giants at a ground where they have not played all year.

The Giants had been hoping they would play the Swans as it would allow them to stay in Sydney and get extra exposure in their home market.

Although the highest crowd the two sides have drawn, 38,203, can easily be accommodated at the SCG, the larger ANZ Stadium was chosen as the AFL wants to maximise attendances.

The league believes the derby can attract new fans to the game and was concerned too many would be locked out if the game was to remain at the SCG, which has a capacity of 48,000.

Once SCG Trust and ANZ Stadium members were taken care of, the league says there would only be 24,000 seats available to the Swans and Giants, who have a combined membership of over 72,000. The AFL is expecting a crowd in excess of 50,000.

"We also think it's the right spot to play at ANZ given what potentially could be the demand for that game," AFL boss Gillon McLachlan told ABC Grandstand.

"For people not to be able to get to this historic thing with the two Sydney teams playing each other despite Swans' passion and people love for the SCG, I think that would be the wrong call."

The Swans, however, have a very good finals record at the venue, having lost only two of 10 finals there. They have also won all three of their games against the Giants at ANZ though those victories came in the first two years of GWS' existence.

Unlike last year, when the Swans were ravaged by injury heading into the most important month of the year, the Swans have close to a full list to pick from on the eve of their seventh consecutive finals campaign.

But they have a nervous wait to see if ruckman Sam Naismith escapes the wrath of the match review panel. The Swans big man was booked on Saturday for rough conduct on Bachar Houli, whom he dumped with a lifting tackle. Houli landed on his back and not his head or neck and, though winded by the tackle, was able to play out the game.

The inexperienced Toby Nankervis, who has played 11 games, and Callum Sinclair are in line to come in if Naismith is suspended. Sinclair, who has not played since round 18 due to injury, is likely to resume training this week.

Gun youngster Callum Mills, the odds on favourite to win this year's Rising Star Award, has already been declared a certainty to play after missing the Tigers game due to a corked calf.

The Swans are flag favourites after finishing the home and away season with six consecutive victories. Four of those games have been by 10 goals plus, including the 113-point rout of the Tigers.

The Swans finished the home and away season on top of the ladder for the second time in three years.

"It's important to play well for the year - it is a marathon - but the reality is that season is now finished and the new season is about to begin," Longmire said.