Why King has Oliver in the gun ahead of Sydney derby

David King is putting Clayton Oliver firmly in the gun ahead of Friday night’s Sydney derby between the Giants and Swans.

While King has liked Oliver’s season so far, particularly around the ball, as he averaged 30.6 disposals, 7.2 clearances and 7.6 score involvements a game, he wants to see him do it on the big stage against their local rivals.

After being recruited to the Giants in the off-season, King wants to see Oliver deliver for the club in a big way to really announce and endear himself to the orange army.

“It’s a huge game tonight, Sydney versus the Giants. They don't like each other. They hate each other,” King said on SEN Breakfast.

“I think sometimes you recruit a player that is tailor-made for a game like this. 

“Clayton Oliver's in pretty good form with the contest stuff in particular.

“He's third in the competition for contested footy and fourth in the comp for clearances.

“He's in good touch. But tonight goes to another level. because if they don't win clearances and they don't win contest, they're going to get mauled by the slick Sydney Swans handball game.

“I'm saying, Clayton, I know you've been good. You've had 26, 26, 33, 37 and 31 disposals from your games so far. You're getting a stack of prune. His score involvement numbers are through the roof.

“But it all comes to tonight. All roads lead to this game against the Sydney Swans. Put yourself out there and have a performance.

“I'm going to be watching him, and I think that this is one moment where he can endear himself to a football club.”

Friday’s clash at the SCG begins at 7:50 pm AEST. Listen live to all the action on SEN and the SEN app.