John Longmire and his side are preparing for a tough contest at the SCG this Friday night when the Swans take on Carlton in a Friday night blockbuster for the club's home Sir Doug Nicholls Round fixture.

The top-of-the-table Swans return home after a win in the west, meanwhile the Blues, who sit seventh on the ladder, are coming off a nail-biting one-point win over Melbourne. It's expected to set up a mouthwatering Marn Grook match-up.

Longmire has made just one change to his lineup with Braeden Campbell coming into the side after he served as an emergency in Round 9. Campbell replaces young defender Matt Roberts who is being managed. 

Aaron Francis will play his second AFL match of the 2024 season as defender Tom McCartin continues to recover from a concussion sustained in Round 8 against GWS.

The Swans defence including Francis, Rampe and Melican will be crucial in stopping the forward strengths of the Blues. Speaking to Sydney Swans Media Longmire highlighted the strengths of the Blues.

"The quality of Carlton is well known throughout the competition," Longmire said.

"They've got some key forwards, great midfield and they have some really strong defenders. It's going to be a really tough game and hopefully one we're looking forward to."

The last time the two sides met was in last year's Elimination Final at the MCG. Despite a thrilling comeback in the last term, the Swans went down by a single goal. 

The Swans have enjoyed a strong start to the season with an 8-1 record but Longmire said there are areas to improve. 

"We need to make sure we continue to play in some of the areas that we've got right. But we've also got some areas in the game we need to keep on improving," he said. 

"We've been looking at those things and what we can do to keep getting better."

The match marks Marn Grook at the SCG, and the first week of Sir Doug Nicholls Round. The annual fixture honours First Nations history and the immense contribution of Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander athletes to the AFL.

"We've had some magnificent First Nations people play for our football club. We're really proud of that fact and it's something that we can all celebrate."

Sydney Swans v Carlton
Friday, May 17, 7:40pm AEST
SCG

IN: Braeden Campbell
OUT: Matt Roberts (managed)

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