Versatile defender Andrejs Everitt will make his senior debut for the Sydney Swans in Sunday’s season opener against Melbourne at the MCG.
Everitt played 36 games in four seasons with the Western Bulldogs - including 12 last year - and Swans coach John Longmire said the 22-year old’s pre-season form was the catalyst for his inclusion in the round one team.
“We’ve been really pleased with the way he has been going, so he’ll get his first game for the footy Club which is great for him.”
After combining for 10 scoring shots in last weekend’s reserves practice match, Jesse White and Sam Reid have been named on the full-forward line to spearhead the Swans attack.
Jude Bolton, Trent Dennis-Lane, Brett Meredith, Jarred Moore, Gary Rohan, Mark Seaby and Byron Sumner have been named in an extended seven-man bench that will be finalised to four tomorrow evening before the team travel to Melbourne on Saturday afternoon.
Lewis Roberts-Thomson will play in Saturday’s reserves practice match against Belconnen after recovering from a hamstring/gluteal injury, while Longmire expects Tadhg Kennelly to return from his dislocated knee through the reserves next weekend.
Round 1, Melbourne v Sydney Swans
Sunday March 27, 2.10pm, MCG
Sydney Swans extended team list:
B: P.Bevan, T.Richards, M.Mattner
HB: R.Shaw, H.Grundy, A.Everitt
C: D.Hannebery, K.Jack, N.Smith
HF: L.Jetta, A.Goodes, B.McGlynn
F: R.O'Keefe, S.Reid, J.White
Foll: S.Mumford, J.Kennedy, J.McVeigh
Interchange from: J.Bolton, T.Dennis-Lane, B.Meredith, J.Moore, G.Rohan, M.Seaby, B.Sumner
New:
B.Sumner (Debut if in final team)
A.Everitt (Sydney Swans Debut)
