The Sydney Swans return home this Saturday for another crucial fixture, facing the Gold Coast Suns on Saturday afternoon as the race for a top eight spot heats up.
John Longmire has made one change to the side and 20-year old Matt Roberts comes into the team for his sixth appearance this season as the Swans look to register their fifth win in-a-row.
Roberts held his place in the Swans senior side at the start of this season before sustaining a medial knee injury. The young midfielder has played several weeks in the VFL to return to form and was instrumental in last week's thumping of GWS with 35 disposals and six tackles.
Longmire said he was looking forward to Roberts getting back in the senior team and showing his capabilities.
"We know he’s a good player and it’s good to get him back into the team," Longmire said.
The return of Roberts, and addition of last week's influential fourth quarter sub Dylan Stephens, will bolster the Swans lineup after several injuries in recent weeks. Co-captain Dane Rampe, Justin McInerney and Lewis Melican will all remain sidelined in Round 22.
Longmire said he is preparing for another strong, contested game against a quality opposition.
"They’re good in clearances and strong in contested ball – two of the areas we’ve got to make sure we’re sharp at as well," he said of this week's opposition.
"We’ve got to make sure we neutralise that and get the ball in our front half to give our forwards a chance.”
24-year old Hayden McLean, who topped the Swans goals in last week's Sydney Derby win, will celebrate his 50th career game this weekend.
The Round 22 fixture will be the second time the Swans face the Suns, after the two facing off in the season opener. In that encounter Sydney secured a 49-point win in humid and slippery conditions on the Gold Coast.
Round 22 - Sydney Swans v Gold Coast Suns - Aug 12, 1:45pm AEST - SCG
INS: Matt Roberts
OUTS: Ryan Clarke (omitted), Braeden Campbell (suspended)
| Backs | Tom McCartin | Aaron Francis | Robbie Fox |
| Half Backs | Nick Blakey | Oliver Florent | Jake Lloyd |
| Centreline | Errol Gulden | Chad Warner | Dylan Stephens |
| Half Forwards | Sam Wicks | Hayden McLean | Isaac Heeney |
| Forwards | Will Hayward | Joel Amartey | Tom Papley |
| Followers | Tom Hickey | Callum Mills | Luke Parker |
| Interchange | Harry Cunningham | James Rowbottom | Matt Roberts |
| Logan McDonald | |||
| Emergency | Jack Buller | Harrison Arnold | Corey Warner |
| Ryan Clarke |
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