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AAP
Shayne Hope and Joanna Guelas

Swans fit and ready to fire in GWS finals battle

Swan James Rowbottom (centre) says the return of Tom Papley and Justin McInerney is a huge boost. (Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS)

Sydney have thrived off the energy brought by fit-again livewires Tom Papley and Justin McInerney in the build-up to the AFL qualifying final against GWS.

The minor premiers are back to full strength in an ominous warning to their rivals, with Papley (ankle) and McInerney (knee) named to return in the blockbuster clash at the SCG on Saturday.

Both have overcome injuries that had sidelined them for the past month, while Isaac Heeney and Tom McCartin are also back in action after being rested in round 24.

Tom Papley.
Tom Papley will be looking to give the Swans plenty of energy in the clash against the Giants. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS)

"They're big energy-givers for the team and them running around this week back to full training has been a great boost for us," Swans midfielder James Rowbottom said of Papley and McInerney before training on Thursday.

"It's obviously a great problem to have. We've spoken about it during the year that when you're full-strength it's a massive boost.

"If Paps and Juzzy are able to get up ... they'll be a big part of our success on the weekend if they play."

Sydney have a 0-3 all-time record in finals against GWS, most recently beaten in a tense elimination final in Launceston three years ago.

But John Longmire's men have won five of the past six derbies since then, including home-and-away victories in the two meetings this season.

"We've touched on a bit of vision (from those two games), but it's a different beast and it's going to be much more fiercely competed (in the finals)," Rowbottom said.

"As much as you want to take it in your stride and treat it as much like another game as possible, it definitely carries extra weight and a bigger atmosphere.

"It's definitely a bigger occasion.

"(Nerves are) normal and I get that most weeks, regardless of a final or not. It's healthy nerves and I'm very excited."

Rowbottom missed two games with a fractured cheekbone after a collision with teammate Chad Warner in July, but returned to play a key role last month as the Swans locked away the minor premiership.

"It was just a bit unfortunate there was a bit of friendly fire ... but it's good to be back and I've got absolutely no concerns about it anymore," Rowbottom said.

"I'm just doing the same sort of thing I've done the last couple of years, and my job hasn't really changed a hell of a lot.

"I'm fortunate enough that I've got some pretty talented and hard-working boys around me that have been good enough to make All-Australian and have pretty decent years.

"Hopefully they can continue that form."

Errol Gulden, Nick Blakey, Heeney and Warner were all named in the All-Australian team, with the Swans boasting at least double the representation of every other side.

GWS had Lachie Whitfield and leading goal-kicker Jesse Hogan win blazers, and Rowbottom is under no illusions about the threat posed by Adam Kingsley's talented side.

The Giants won a club-record seven straight games before falling to the Western Bulldogs in round 24.

"They're probably the in-form team of the competition over the last couple of months," Rowbottom said.

"They've got the Coleman Medallist (Hogan) and a couple of All-Australians, and they're a very good outfit all around.

"It will be a pretty good contest."

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