Follow AFL round 17 scores, results, odds, squads and start time from the SCG in Sydney.

Fremantle big man Sean Darcy has been labelled a “gun” and one of the best ruckmen in the AFL ahead of his highly anticipated battle with Brodie Grundy in the clash with Sydney.

While most of the talk leading up to Sunday’s crunch match in Sydney has been about the dubious SCG turf, the ruck battle is expected to be one of the defining aspects.

Fremantle will unleash a two-pronged ruck attack of Darcy and Luke Jackson against the in-form Grundy, who shoulders the bulk of the ruck load for the Swans, with a bit of help from Hayden McLean.

Jackson, often dubbed a footballing unicorn for his unique talents, has been an out-and-out star in the ruck for Fremantle this year, raising questions about whether the Dockers are better served without Darcy in the side.

Darcy, contracted with Fremantle until the end of 2030, put some of that talk to bed with a monster final-quarter effort in last week’s 12-point win over St Kilda.

The 27-year-old tallied six disposals, 12 hit-outs, three clearances and a goal in the final term as Fremantle overcame a 14-point deficit to secure their sixth win on the trot.

Jackson was also crucial, kicking two final-quarter goals in an influential one-two punch with Darcy.

“We’re very lucky to have Sean in the ruck for us,” star Fremantle midfielder Andrew Brayshaw said.

“And then when he’s firing in the ruck, we’re able to take Luke forward, so having both of them going is a real key in us winning games.

“Darcy is a gun. I mean, he’s a best-and-fairest winner, one of the best tap ruckmen in the game.

“The people that he takes his feedback from is the head coach, midfield coach and his teammates, so he’s not fazed by outside noise.

“We encourage him to play his game, and we absolutely love him.”

Grundy has played a key role in Sydney’s recent resurgence, the 31-year-old averaging 35.1 hit-outs, 18.4 disposals and five clearances per game this season.

“He has been in unbelievable form,” Sydney coach Dean Cox said.

“He’s been the catalyst between us turning our form around and the ascendancy that he can give our midfield group.

“Like always he will do his homework on them (Jackson and Darcy).

“He’ll spend time trying to come up with a plan about how to execute his role, and I’ve got no doubt he’ll do it again.”