GWS will host Sydney at Blacktown International Sportspark under Friday night lights in the preseason next year – six months after the spiteful qualifying final clash between the two competition heavyweights, won by the Giants.

It acts as a tantalising precursor to the two home-and-away games the teams will play against each other in 2017, a pair of fixtures pitting the premiership favourites against the league's most consistent performer over the past two decades.

The Giants won the qualifying-final battle with the Swans in 2016, prevailing by six goals in a game where Steve Johnson's high bump off the ball flattened Josh Kennedy.

But GWS ultimately lost the war, falling at the preliminary final hurdle as Sydney recovered and powered into the AFL decider.

That was the Swans' fifth grand-final appearance in the past 12 years and Sydney's 18th top-eight finish since 1996.

GWS also hosts West Coast in Zac Williams' home town of Narrandera and North Melbourne at Manuka in next year's preseason, but it's the rivalry game that will have fans circling the date in their calendars.

"Hopefully if we're both at the better end of the ladder, we're playing each other more often and the rivalry will only continue to grow," Giants general manager of football Wayne Campbell said.

"For the rivalry to grow you need both sides being competitive. We're hoping at least we are, and the Swans have played 18 of the last 20 finals series so that odds are that they're going to be as well.

"We know what they'll bring which will be a really competitive outfit. We couldn't have handpicked the draw any better I reckon for just getting some really good footy into some players but also for getting that into our supporter base."

The Swans will be looking to reclaim bragging rights before hosting GWS at the SCG in a round-five blockbuster.

"We know that when we play them it's going to be a great hit out, that sort of game in the preseason's great," Sydney head of football Tom Harley said.

"The Giants were a kick away from the grand final last year and we obviously played in the grand final. It's great for footy in Sydney."

The Swans play all three preseason games in NSW, kicking off with a game against North Melbourne in Coffs Harbour.

Sydney will then stay in Coffs Harbour for a preseason training camp, as the club has done for the past four seasons.

A trip down to Albury in week four to play St Kilda rounds out the Swans' preparations for season 2017.

Meanwhile, star midfielder Luke Parker returned to training on Wednesday after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his knee a day earlier, and is expected to be running before Christmas.

"We don't see any long-term impact as far as the start of the season goes with Luke," Harley said.

JLT Community Series

WEEK ONE

Saturday, February 18

GWS v West Coast, Narrandera Sports Stadium, 2.05pm EDT

Sunday, February 19

Sydney v North Melbourne, Coffs Harbour International Stadium, 2.05pm EDT

WEEK THREE

Friday, March 3

GWS v Sydney, Blacktown International Sportspark, 7.40pm EDT

WEEK FOUR

Friday, March 10

GWS v North Melbourne, Manuka Oval, 5.50pm EDT

Sunday, March 12

St Kilda v Sydney, Lavington Sports Ground (Albury, NSW), 7.10pm EDT

* All times are local