Canberra's Sam Fisher to prove his worth for Sydney Swans in NEAFL grand final

Fisher will start in the midfield for the Swans in the NEAFL grand final against the Brisbane Lions on Saturday night, a year after shattering their premiership dreams as a Greater Western Sydney Giant.

He's been copping a lot of stick from his Swans teammates for beating them last year but he's never been more determined ahead of the biggest game of his career.

The former Canberra Demons star is playing for his future at the Swans and he's out to deliver a premiership trophy in exchange for a new deal.

It's also the biggest stage he will have played on, with the Swans hosting the Lions at the SCG straight after Sydney's AFL side face Essendon in an elimination final at the same venue.

"We're still in negotiations over a contract but fingers crossed I'll be here next year and here for a while after that," Fisher said.

"It's a big stage and you want to put your best foot forward in a big game, especially a grand final against a quality opposition.

"It's probably the biggest stage we've had all year. Especially after the seniors, hopefully a lot of people stick around, that would be unreal for us to play in front of a big crowd.

"We've obviously got a few players that have experienced it but there's still a number of us that haven't played in front of a big crowd. Hopefully they stick around and show us some support."

Fisher joined the Swans' category B rookie list this year after being overlooked by the Giants ahead of the 2016 rookie draft.

The Swans rushed to snare the Ainslie junior as a New South Wales/ACT zone selection about 10 weeks after he broke their hearts in the NEAFL grand final.

Fisher admits playing for the Swans has been a huge eye-opener because the club demands success, and for that reason he's not getting carried away ahead of the biggest game of his career.

"The club set such a high standard at the start of the year and it's sort of expected," Fisher said.

"No one is really too excited but that's what everyone expects because the club has had a lot of success over the last few years.

"It's been unreal, obviously playing with a great bunch of boys. It's been unreal and the cream on top if the Swans can go deep into September and play a lot of finals."

Fisher played 11 games in the NEAFL last year, splitting his time between the Canberra Demons and the Giants reserves, where he claimed a premiership medal.

The Ainslie and Marist College junior is looking to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, a former Geelong Cats player, into the top flight - only Fisher is itching to do it as a Swan.

The Swans are looking to win their first NEAFL crown and overcome a trio of heartbreaking grand final defeats.

The Swans have lost two games this season, both against Brisbane, but they welcome back Kurt Tippett for the decider in a huge boost to their premiership hopes.

NEAFL GRAND FINAL

Saturday: Sydney Swans v Brisbane Lions at SCG, 7.45pm. Live stream: NEAFL TV.

SYDNEY

B: 46. Sam Murray 21. Jack Maibaum 2. Alex Johnson
HB: 38. Colin O'Riordan 11. Jeremy Laidler 31. Harrison Marsh
C: 45. Sam Fisher 33. Brandon Jack 13. Oliver Florent
HF: 30. Tyrone Leonardis 19. Shaun Edwards 25. Ben Ronke
F: 1. James Rose 47. Toby Pink 9. Will Hayward
Foll: 8. Kurt Tippett 6. Jordan Foote 34. Jordan Dawson
Inter: 36. Aliir Aliir 7. Harry Cunningham 32. Michael Talia 27. Daniel Robinson 55. Jarrod Osborne
Emer: 48. Sam Wicks 53. Sam Barkley 52. Harry Carr

BRISBANE

B: 42. Mitch Hinge 41. Matt Eagles 59. Jack Payne
HB: 47. Reuben William 20. Cedric Cox 24. Liam Dawson
C: 19. Josh Clayton 16. Jarrad Jansen 8. Rohan Bewick
HF: 34. Jono Freeman 60. Connor Ballenden 37. Jacob Allison
F: 40. Matthew Hammelmann 33. Michael Close 39. Corey Lyons
Foll: 44. Archie Smith 1. Ben Keays 17. Claye Beams
Inter: 46. Oscar McInerney 54. Luke O'Sullivan 53. Campbell Walker 48. Blake Grewar 11. Cian Hanley
Emer: 52. Jack Clayton 55. Ben Sloan 50. Ryan Dadds