Final preparations are underway ahead of Opening Night where the Sydney Swans will face Melbourne at the SCG on Thursday night. Senior coach John Longmire has named his side including two exciting club debutants. 

Star ruckman Brodie Grundy will run out in red and white for the first time after 194 AFL games while up-and-coming midfielder James Jordon is expected to make his own impact with the Swans. Both players will come up against the old side after being recruited from Melbourne after 17 and 65 games respectively for the Demons.

Speaking to Sydney Swans Media, Longmire said he is excited to see the pair in action and praised their work ethic during the preseason. 

“They’ve been terrific," he said. "We’ve been really fortunate that they’ve brought their strengths to the team over the preseason. 

"We’ve been able to see what they can do and it’s really pleasing to have them as part of our opening game. It’s something everyone is going to get behind.”

The team will play the first match without their most experienced midfielders in Callum Mills, Luke Parker and Taylor Adams - all ruled out due to injury. Despite a young side the coach is looking forward to a challenge against a strong Melbourne outfit. 

"They (Melbourne) have been top four regularly, they’ve got some experienced players and they’re going to be hard around the contest," he said of the Dees.

"We’ll have to match them in those areas. We’ve had some good games against them in the past with both teams going at it hard."

The Swans squad have worked hard over the preseason and recently had matches against GWS and the Brisbane Lions to prepare for game-like conditions. They battled warm conditions on both occasions, priming the team for the warm conditions forecast on Thursday in Sydney.

The club will kick off 150 year celebrations as part of Opening Night and embark on a March to the Match. The team will warm up on the indoor field at Sydney Swans HQ before walking along Driver Avenue and into the SCG where fans are encouraged to make plenty of noise.

Speaking on the occasion Longmire said, "We want as many supporters as we can to get here and follow the boys up to the SCG."

Opening Round - Sydney Swans v Melbourne Demons - March 7, 7:30pm AEDT - SCG 

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