Greater Western Sydney coach Kevin Sheedy is hoping his side grab both bragging rights and immense experience on Saturday when they host Sydney reserves.

GWS's progress this year has been closely linked with their struggles against Sydney, a rivalry Sheedy suggested could carry the moniker `the battle of Parramatta River'.

A goalless GWS opened their pre-season campaign with a 79-point loss to Sydney in a condensed AFL clash with 20-minute halves.

The Swans reserves enjoyed a crushing 98-point win at ANZ Stadium soon after and a 60-point win followed in round 6 of the North East AFL (NEAFL).

Sheedy says his side is narrowing the gap ahead of next year's berth in the AFL.

"We've improved a hell of a lot, after the last Swans game we've beaten the Suns and there were obviously players with AFL experience in that side," Sheedy said.

"We've come a fair way ... we're up for this game, we want to keep working on getting a win on the board as soon as we can against the Swans, even if it is at the reserve grade level."

When the AFL releases its draw for 2012, one of the talking points will be the inaugural premiership fixture between Sydney and GWS.

The league is yet to endorse an official title for the cross-town showdown but Sheedy has some ideas.

"It'll be an east-versus-west type of game, won't it?" he said.

"So we don't know if it will be called the battle of Anzac Bridge, or the battle of Parramatta River, but we'll work it out sooner or later.

"The battle of Parramatta River, I like that."

Sheedy was unconcerned by a recent spike in speculation over Tom Scully's future that was triggered by former Melbourne forward David Schwarz saying he expects Scully to leave the Demons.

However having watched the game evolve over 27 years at Essendon, Sheedy did have some choice words for those suggesting Scully would be a traitor or a liar if he joins the Giants.

"Players are professional players now, they can actually go and play wherever they like," he said.

"It's as simple as that.

"Players get trained up, they get drafted and after two or three years, they're allowed out and that's the way it goes.

"It'll happen to us one day when we're in the competition in four or five years time.

"You don't tell golfers they can't go and play in Japan, you don't tell tennis players to go to the French Open but not Wimbledon."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP