Where barbs and jibes were once traded, on Wednesday there were only pleasantries and cliches.

The pre-match press conference for the Sydney derby used to highlight the animosity that simmered beneath the surface. Now the routine is indicative of a feud that is at risk of losing its edge.

Fading feeling: Josh Risdon and Michael Zullo at the SCG on Wednesday. Credit:AAP

The representative of Western Sydney was a man from Western Australia; his opposite, dressed in Sky Blue, hails from Brisbane. Neither are longstanding servants of their clubs and they told an audience from Sydney about the city's rivalry.

Wanderers fullback Josh Risdon and Sydney FC's Michael Zullo were all smiles and banalities ahead of a derby that is in danger of losing the feeling and spite that made it memorable.