Who has GWS coach Adam Kingsley picked to take on Sydney's All-Australian ruckman Brodie Grundy in a high-stakes derby?

Not proven hit-out winner Kieren Briggs, but 21-year-old Nick Madden.

Kingsley concedes he's made an unusual decision to hand Madden the job for Friday night's clash at the SCG, but the Giants coach is being guided by "great faith".

Madden will test his mettle against one of the competition's top rucks in just his fifth AFL game, as Kingsley makes three changes.

Drafted in the 2022 rookie draft, Giants academy product Madden made his AFL debut last season and returned this year in Gather Round after a sub-par start by Briggs.

Madden was unstoppable against Richmond last time out, winning 43 hit-outs to 15 against Tigers debutant Oliver Hayes-Brown as the 12th-placed Giants (2-3) snapped a three-game losing streak.

Grundy so far has averaged 34.6 hit-outs and an elite average of 12 hit-outs to advantage to help Sydney (4-1) to the top of the ladder.

Kingsley readily admits Madden is set for a baptism of fire at the SCG.

"He's a young ruckman, and it (a senior call-up) doesn't usually happen at that age, but Nick is highly competitive," Kingsley said.

"He's probably ahead of most 21-year-old ruckman.

"For Nick to displace Kieran out of the team, he's clearly going really well, and we have high trust in him."

It won't be the first time Madden has faced Grundy however, with the pair meeting in a pre-season match.

Madden managed 18 hit-outs and six to advantage, as Grundy won 32 and 12 to advantage.

"I thought Brodie was more aggressive than Nick in that practice match," Kingsley said.

"It's an opportunity for Nick to apply the lessons that he learned out of that game.

"We have great faith in Nick. We're certainly hopeful that he's going to become a terrific ruckman in the league."

Small forwards Brent Daniels and Toby Bedford both made successful returns from pre-season hamstring injuries, but only Bedford will line up against Sydney.

Harry Rowston, Toby McMullin and Leek Aleer come into the side for Daniels, Aaron Cadman (concussion) and Stephen Conigio (concussion).

For the Swans, midfielder Angus Sheldrick returns from suspension, with experienced defender Dane Rampe rested.

Shutdown expert Bedford is set to keep a short leash on Swans superstar Isaac Heeney.

"We won't play Daniels. The second week back from a hamstring return five-day break - to be quite frank, he's fine and he was pushing to play," Kingsley said.

"But I don't think that's the right decision to make."