Forward Lance Franklin will miss the Sydney Swans’ clash with Hawthorn at the MCG on Friday night and first-year player Tom McCartin will make his AFL debut.
McCartin and fellow forward Dan Robinson have been added to the Swans side for Round 8 as Franklin continues to recover from a bruised heel.
Harry Marsh and Robbie Fox are the two omissions from the side which lost to North Melbourne at the SCG last Saturday.
Swans coach John Longmire said Franklin needed longer to recover.
“While he did a little bit of training on Wednesday, he was still a little bit tender,” Longmire said.
“He's pretty hard, he can play with injuries but we didn't want to push it too much and put him at risk so we decided to can this week.”
Longmire said McCartin’s debut was well-deserved.
“Tom really impressed us from the moment he turned up at the footy Club,” Longmire said.
“We just want him to compete and create a contest in the front half and it’s as simple as that. Anything more is a bonus.
“He’s a great kid and comes from a great family and we’re really looking forward to his debut.”
McCartin has earned his senior selection off the back of an impressive pre-season and strong NEAFL form.
He has featured in every one of the Swans’ NEAFL games in 2018 and has averaged 17 possessions across his two most recent outings.
The 18-year-old is strong on the lead, can take a great contested grab and is reliable in front of goal.
Robinson played in Sydney’s come-from-behind win over the Geelong Cats in Round 6 and returns off the back of impressive NEAFL form of his own.
The 23-year-old is averaging 35 disposals per game in the NEAFL and has impacted in the reserves as a forward and in the midfield.