Another week, another big ruck duel and Brodie Grundy says the standard among the AFL's big men has never been better.
After winning his battle with North Melbourne star Tristan Xerri last week, Grundy will take on Collingwood's Darcy Cameron in the big Gather Round clash on Friday night at Adelaide Oval.
Like Xerri, Cameron made last year's All-Australian squad along with Melbourne captain Max Gawn, who was the ruckman in the final team.
The competition among the ruckmen has been a feature of the early-season games, with Xerri racking up 12 clearances to one in round two and handing Gawn a rare loss.
Grundy and Cameron were teammates at Collingwood before Grundy went to Melbourne and now Sydney.
"The competition now, it's so good - broadly speaking, team-wise, but then the ruck role (as well)," Grundy said at Sydney's Thursday afternoon training run in Adelaide.
"The talent there and the competitiveness, I don't think it's been this good.
"I love competing against the best and they (Xerri and Cameron) were right up there last year.
"He (Cameron) has always been a great aerial player. He's just built a lot of confidence and he's the No.1 guy there (at Collingwood) and full credit to him."
Sydney will be unchanged for Friday night, with coach Dean Cox giving Lewis Melican and Harry Cunningham another week as they return from injury.
Collingwood lost Dan Houston to suspension and Jordan De Goey and Lachie Schultz to injury, with Will Hoskin-Elliott, Ed Allan and Lachie Sullivan returning.
Last week's big win over North Melbourne showed that despite their many injuries, the Swans are gelling well under new coach Dean Cox.
"We are always looking for continual improvement … we were sort of a little bit wobbly there early in the season, we're always trying to refine our process and this week is no different," Grundy said.
"I suppose from an injury perspective we haven't spent too much time commenting on 'gee we're lacking Errol (Gulden) or we're lacking Justin (McInerney).
"We've had a really strong squad mentality and Coxy and the leadership group are doing a great job of just galvanising the team."
Sydney face another stern test against Collingwood, who have recovered from the round-one loss to GWS to win their last three games.
Along with Grundy v Cameron, another feature of the midfield battle will be Sydney tagging specialist James Jordon most likely going to Collingwood star Nick Daicos.
Magpies coach Craig McRae fully expects the tag and warned Jordon to "bring his runners" because Daicos will be on the move.
