The Sydney Swans will kick off their 2023 campaign against the Gold Coast Suns, with the top 22 travelling to Queensland for their first away game this Saturday.

Gold Coast Suns v Sydney Swans
Saturday, March 18, 2023
Heritage Bank Stadium
First bounce: 7:00pm AEST (8:00PM AEDT)

John Longmire has named his red and white line up that will feature Sydney Swans forward Tom Papley and midfielder Callum Mills, with both stars returning from injury, while Tom Hickey remains sidelined continuing his rehabilitation on a calf strain. 

Sam Reid will miss the season opener, one of four players that are unavailable from last year's Grand Final line up, but Longmire is confident in the players stepping into their shoes.

“We have a few of the older guys that are not available this week, but we’ll get some good new players in again and we’re really confident in the team we’re taking up to Queensland and I look forward to a good game," senior coach John Longmire said.

“Clarke, Fox, Reid and Hickey are the four players that are not playing for the Grand Final last year. Reid played almost two games but in the last minutes of the last practice game felt a bit tight in his glutes, so he won’t play this week."

Longmire expects the Swans to combat the fast starting Gold Coast outfit with strong two-way football and being strong in the contest.

“Gold Coast are a really strong stoppage team and clearance team. There are a good young team and in particular start really well," Longmire said.

"We want to make sure we play good strong two-way footy and are strong in the contest. We want to make sure we go and execute.”

Braeden Campbell, Nick Blakey, Dylan Stephens and Logan McDonald have been named on the interchange while Matty Roberts, Aaron Francis, Lachlan McAndrew and Angus Sheldrick are the emergencies. 

Visit our Match Day Hub for everything you need to know for game day.

Round 1 - Gold Coast Suns v Sydney Swans, Heritage Bank Stadium - Saturday, March 18, 2023. 8:00pm AEDT.