The Sydney Swans have named its first team of 2025, with the club set to open the AFL season against Hawthorn at the SCG on Friday night.
As confirmed earlier on Thursday, senior coach Dean Cox has named two debutants, with Ben Paton and Tom Hanily to run out in the red and white for the first time.
Paton, who previously lined up in 71 games for St Kilda, has been named at half-back while 19-year-old Hanily has been named on the interchange bench.
Speaking to Sydney Swans Media, Cox said the pair were deserving of the opportunity after strong pre-seasons.
"Ben Paton, over from St Kilda, will make his debut for the footy club and I'm really excited about that," Cox said.
"Tom Hanily will make his AFL debut, I think it was an amazing thing to be able to tell a young kid that they'll play their first game.
"What he's been through in the seven months or so that he's been at the football club has set him up to build some resilience and have a really big impact."
The Swans will enter the match without some of its most experienced players in Callum Mills, Errol Gulden and Harry Cunningham who have been ruled out due to injury.
However, the side will welcome back two big inclusions in ruck Brodie Grundy (knee) and forward Tom Papley (ankle) who missed the Club's practice match against the Gold Coast last week.
The game will mark Swans veteran Jake Lloyd's 250th game, the utility set to become just the 13th player in the Club’s history to notch the milestone. The two-time Bob Skilton medallist will mark the occasion by running out and through the banner with his young daughter Pia.
Midfielder Angus Sheldrick will feature at AFL level for the first time since Round 17, 2023 and forward Corey Warner will play his first senior game since Round 23 last year. Cox said the inclusion of some exciting youth would be a boost to the side.
“There's some youth in this team, which is really exciting, including Corey Warner and Angus Sheldrick who will both play,” Cox said.
“They've all had amazing pre-seasons and they deserve their spots. They’ve played really consistent football throughout all our practice and match play.
“I can't wait to see them establish themselves, obviously in the first game, but hopefully for the year as well.”
