The Sydney Swans have made two changes ahead of Saturday’s clash with Carlton, with Dan Hannebery and Tom Papley forced out of the final game of the regular season with injury.

Hannebery has succumbed to a hip complaint, which has plagued the star midfielder for the past three weeks, while Papley jarred his knee during last weekend’s clash with Adelaide.

Both failed to train fully during the week, forcing the match committee’s hand at the selection table.

In their place, defender Nic Newman returns after his Round 22 omission and utility Harry Cunningham will play his first AFL game since fracturing his LisFranc ligament in Round 9.

Speaking on Centrum Team Selection, coach John Longmire said it is better to hit their injuries on the head now than the pair trying to play through any pain on the eve of September.

“Unfortunately, Tom landed heavily on his knee, jarred it up a little bit, and hasn’t been able to train this week at all,” he said.

“Dan Hannebery, (it) was touch-and-go whether he’d play last week. He’s had a sore hip for a few weeks and it got the point where he couldn’t train either.

“Unfortunately, both players are out. If they were fit, they would have played, but they’re not, and we obviously want them for the coming weeks.”

It will be the first time Hannebery’s missed a match since his six-week layoff with an ankle injury back in 2014.

But Newman and Cunningham’s inclusion reflect the depth and health of the squad leading into an important stage of the season.

“Newy (Newman) was going well before he went out of the team, so we’re really confident he’ll come back in and contribute,” Longmire added.

“Cunningham, for the first part of the year, was really important for us. His speed and smarts, either forward or through the midfield, is really valuable.”

Jordan Foote, Jeremy Laidler and Dan Robinson have been named as emergencies.

CLICK HERE for the full Round 23 side.