Sydney Swans defender Rhyce Shaw has warned against people writing off dual Brownlow medallist Adam Goodes as he prepares to line up in the club's NEAFL clash on Saturday.

Goodes chose to play in the NEAFL rather than spend a second straight game as the Swans’ substitute, after coach John Longmire told the 35 year-old he'd be wearing the green vest again.

Shaw said he would not be writing off the champion at this stage.

"Anyone who says that has rocks in there head, he is a champion of the game."

"He will go out on his terms when he is ready and I can tell you right now he is not ready."

Shaw admits it was surprising to hear about the decision of the Swans' club record games holder.

"It's bloody surprising isn't it? Goodesy is one of the greatest players ever and I look up to him so much, the way he sets the standard off the field and on the field," Shaw said.

"As a Swans legend and an AFL legend it's hard to see him playing in the twos. I almost feel a bit embarrassed that I'm not playing twos and he's not in the seniors."

"You should see him at training, he makes a mockery of some of us older blokes. He's a freak." 

The Swans' and the Giants' reserves were scheduled to meet in a curtain raiser to the Sydney derby, but wet weather in Sydney has forced the game to be moved to the Swans' training ground outside the SCG.

Shaw was straight to the point when asked how Goodes was handling the pressure and speculation surrounding both his selection this week, and the champion’s long-term future.

"He's bloody determined, that’s all I can say,' Shaw said. 

The derby between the undefeated Sydney sides will give Shaw another opportunity to battle younger brother Heath, and the Giants defender made light of the selection bombshell surrounding Goodes. 

"We heard that Buddy (Franklin) and Josh Kennedy wanted to play NEAFL as well, but they weren't allowed," Heath Shaw joked.

The brothers might be on opposing sides and have a different view on which team rules the harbor city, but they do agree on one thing - their pre-game banter has dropped off in recent times.

"We haven't really spoken this week until last night when Rhyce's missus cooked me a nice risotto. I was a bit hesitant, I thought she might have put something in it to make me crook, but I feel alright this morning," Heath said.

"Rhyce has also got a new baby boy so he won't give me much attention these days."