The Sydney Swans will face the Brisbane Lions in a match simulation at Lakeside Oval, Moore Park tomorrow (Friday, 24 February 2023) from 12pm.

Sydney Swans v Brisbane Lions, Match Simulation
Friday, 24 February 2023
Time: 12pm start
Venue: Lakeside Oval, Moore Park
Structure: 4 x 25 minutes (no time on) 
VFL game commences at 3pm

The match simulation is a great opportunity for Swans members and fans to see the team in action for the first time this season, with it being the first official hit out ahead of the team's 2023 campaign.

The side includes leaders Luke Parker, Callum Mills, Dane Rampe, Isaac Heeney, Will Hayward, Lance Franklin and Jake Lloyd as well as many regular starters from last season including Chad Warner, James Rowbottom and Ollie Florent.

In exciting news for members and fans, new recruit Aaron Francis and developing ruckman Lachie McAndrew, along with several new draftees (Cooper Vickery, Will Edwards, Caleb Mitchell and Cameron Owen) will pull on the red and white for the first time.

“We are looking forward to playing our first match against quality opposition, coming up against a top four side from last year will be a great test as we continue to build towards Round 1,” said Sydney Swans Executive General Manager – Football, Charlie Gardiner.

“It’s also an exciting opportunity for some of our younger players to gain further experience at senior level.

“We expect sixteen of our Grand Final team from last year to play, but we’ll also get a look at some of our younger players, some of whom will be exposed to senior level for the first time,” he added.

“Pleasingly Nick Blakey will play some minutes at VFL level this week as he returns from illness.”

The side however will be missing a few of its stars as it continues to fine tune its preparations for the season opener in a few weeks time.

“We have had some challenges over the last month with player availability in particular with some of our key position players. Lance Franklin and Sam Reid have had slower build ups as reported, but they are expected to play with managed game time.

“Tom Hickey won’t play after suffering a calf injury in training last week. We’ll see how he progresses over the next couple of weeks but at this stage we expect him to be unavailable for at least the first few weeks of the season.

“Peter Ladhams is also managing some tendonitis following last week’s internal match simulation so will miss this week and we’ll reassess him for next week.

“Joel Amartey also won’t feature but he is close to return and Tom Papley is managing some general soreness from last week’s match training so won’t be risked this week. Both are expected to be in contention for minutes next week."

Tomorrow’s match simulation will be streamed live on Kayo Sports and broadcast on Foxtel. Entry to the games are free for all fans. The VFL side will be in action to face Brisbane Lions from 3pm.

Sydney Swans squad

1. Chad Warner, 3. Dylan Stephens, 5. Isaac Heeney, 6. Logan McDonald, 8. James Rowbottom, 9. Will Hayward, 10. Aaron Francis, 13. Oliver Florent, 14. Callum Mills, 16. Braeden Campbell, 17. Will Gould, 20. Sam Reid, 21. Errol Gulden, 23. Lance Franklin, 24. Dane Rampe, 25. Cooper Vickery, 26. Luke Parker, 27. Justin McInerney, 28. Will Edwards, 29. Angus Sheldrick, 30. Tom McCartin, 34. Matt Roberts, 35. Caleb Mitchell, 37. Corey Warner, 39. Paddy McCartin, 40. Cameron Owen 41. Lachlan Rankin, 44. Jake Lloyd, 45. Hugo Hall-Kahan, 46. Lachlan McAndrew

Sydney Swans VFL squad

2. Hayden McLean 17. Will Gould 22. Nick Blakey 25. Cooper Vickery 35. Caleb Mitchell 37. Corey Warner 40. Cameron Owen 41. Lachlan Rankin 45. Hugo Hall-Kahan 47. Nick McGill 50. Jake Brown 51. Riley Fitzroy 52. Nicholas Shipley 53. Jake Bartholomaeus 54. Indhi Kirk 55. Harry Morrison 56. Tom Howard 57. James Tidemann 58. Tom Longmire 59. Jordan Endemann 60. Angus Jones 61. Max Geddes 62. Christian Webster 63. Toby Alker 65. Ethan Grace 66. Will Hopkins 68. Ben Ashley-Cooper x. Jack Dadd x. Jackson Tikkeros