THERE is one individual battle in Saturday evening's elimination final clash between Sydney and Greater Western Sydney that stands above the rest.

A rested Lance Franklin versus a healthy Phil Davis could be the most decisive match-up of the contest.

Davis kept Franklin in check up to half-time of the teams' most recent meeting in round 20, before the Swans spearhead booted four of his five goals once the Giants' co-captain was forced to play in the forward line because of a corked hip.

MEGA PREVIEW Sydney v Greater Western Sydney

Jeremy Finlayson, Adam Tomlinson and Nick Haynes were no match for a super-charged 'Buddy', as the Swans came from behind to claim a 20-point victory.

Franklin, who missed round 23 through soreness, has the ability to be the matchwinner for the Swans again, so Davis' role in containing the superstar will be crucial for the Giants.

AFL.com.au has taken a look at how the match between the cross-town rivals could transpire.

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Sydney

How they play: The Swans' midfield output has been down this season compared to previous years and as such John Longmire and his coaching side have had to tinker with their game style. Ranked No.17 in the AFL for centre clearances this year, the Swans have fashioned their team into more of a run-and-gun side from the back half in 2018.

Attack: Sydney's forward line is centered around Franklin, with the spearhead involved in 41 per cent of the side's scoring chains this season – ranked No.1 in the AFL. Franklin is the focal point, but youngster Will Hayward is dangerous in the air and Tom Papley and Ben Ronke fight and scrap, and are polished in front of goal at ground level. Luke Parker also has the ability to bob up and snag multiple goals, which he did eight times during the home and away season. The Swans are not generally a prolifically high-scoring side (ranked 12th in the AFL) so have a reliance on their defence to prevent the opposition from turning the game into a shootout.

Defence: The Swans' back six absorbs plenty of opposition inside 50s, but they are the best team in the competition to prevent scores once the ball goes inside 50 (allowing their rivals to score just 19 per cent of the time). Aliir Aliir has been outstanding since coming into the team in the second half of the season, being outmarked in just one of his 43 defensive one-on-one contests according to Champion Data.

Ball movement: The Swans' high-possession winners in their back half, Jake Lloyd and Jarrad McVeigh, generally set up their attack. Sydney likes to shift the angles with plenty of switch kicks before centering the ball once they get forward of centre. Isolating Franklin inside 50 is a high priority, with touch kicks to their leading forwards a key aim.

How to beat them: Making Aliir accountable and preventing him from taking intercept marks is a must, while locking down on inside bull Josh Kennedy and limiting the effectiveness of his possessions is imperative. The Davis-Franklin match-up will be crucial, but the Giants defender will rely heavily on his teammates applying pressure further up the ground.

Greater Western Sydney

How they play: The Giants are a high-stoppage team, averaging 67.7 around the ground which is the second most of any side in the AFL. It is in that form of the game they do their most damage, with Leon Cameron's side ranked No.1 in the AFL for outscoring their opponents from stoppages (+8 points). Callan Ward, Josh Kelly, Stephen Coniglio and Dylan Shiel lead the way.

Attack: The Giants are the most efficient scoring side in the AFL, with GWS scoring from 47 per cent of their inside 50 entries this season – ranked No.1. With Jon Patton out for the season and Jeremy Cameron missing five weeks through suspension, the agile Harry Himmelberg has been a key component of their forward line. At 194cm, Himmelberg is strong in the air and just as adept at ground level, with the young forward kicking 14 goals in the Giants' last six games.

Defence: Davis is a strong one-on-one defender and is the Giants' go-to-man when they want to put the clamps on the team's most dangerous forward, which this week will be Franklin. Nick Haynes is an elite intercept player, while All Australian Lachie Whitfield is the Giants' best user out of defence. Zac Williams, who is set to play his first game for the year this weekend after rupturing his achilles in the pre-season, is the Giants' wildcard.

Ball movement: When they are up and going, the Giants are slick and clean around the contest, moving the ball with speed. When they have their full complement of players available, the midfielders spread and cover the ground as well as any in the competition. They tend to run and carry the ball in waves and open up their forward 50 to allow their forwards to operate in as much space as possible.

How to beat them: The query on the Giants is the amount of underdone players they might take into a finals game and the key personnel that are missing. Players such as Toby Greene, Brett Deledio, Aidan Corr and Williams all lack match practice. Limiting the effectiveness of Kelly and Whitfield, in particular, will be high on the agenda of the Swans. Teams with big, aggressive ruckmen also tend to be physical with Rory Lobb who can be pushed off the footy in ruck contests.