Sydney Swans defender Nick Smith is primed for a derby showdown with Greater Western Sydney star Steve Johnson on Saturday at the SCG.
Smith spent time opposed to Johnson when he kicked three goals in the Giants' 34-point win in the NAB Challenge just over a month ago, and has been given the job on him in the past when Johnson was at Geelong.
Johnson has started the season in good touch, collecting 23 possessions and two goals in both games.
Smith, the 2014 All Australian, says he knows exactly what Johnson brings to the Giants.
"A lot of experience and a lot of know-how. Obviously, he's played for 13-14 years in good sides and knows what it takes to be a good side," Smith said on Thursday.
"They're past that developing stage as a team and have got some really good players across the field, and their forwards are no different.
"They played really well on the weekend. We saw how well Geelong played the week before against Hawthorn and for GWS to come out and play the way they did, and they're a good side.
"They're not just a young group with talent anymore. They’ve got some bigger bodies, they run really well and they defend a lot better than they have in the past."
With the retirement of Rhyce Shaw at the end of 2015, Smith, along with veterans Ted Richards and Heath Grundy, is the experienced member of the Swans' defence, with Dane Rampe, Jeremy Laidler and 2015 No.3 draft pick Callum Mills adding some versatility and run to the group.
Richards played his first game of the year in last week's 60-point win over Carlton after struggling to shake off a calf problem over the past two months.
Having the 254-gamer back among the fold has only strengthened the side's defensive set-up, and Smith says Richards made an immediate difference to the Swans last week.
"It's always good to have Teddy back. We spoke about Steve Johnson with his experience but Teddy [is the same] as well [with his] cool head down there and his voice," Smith said.
"When you play with guys for 8-9 years you sort of get used to it, and it's good to have Teddy back.
"Laidler has stepped up, we've got Callum Mills who has come down, we've got an experienced backline down there and its good to have young guys like Zak Jones and Callum Mills and these type of blokes come through.
"It happens with every position when guys move on, someone fills the void."
Michael Talia filled the void left by Richards in the Swans' 80-point win over Collingwood in round one before injuring his foot in the final term.
The defender was an onlooker at the SCG on Thursday, standing on crutches with his foot in a moon boot. Talia is expected to miss at least another two months of footy.
