Sydney has made three changes ahead of Sunday’s clash with Fremantle at Optus Stadium.
The Swans will travel to Perth for the club’s first away game of the season as they look to secure their first win of 2025.
Justin McInerney and Lewis Melican will miss the game after a three-game suspension and strained adductor respectively halted their seasons, while defender Ben Patton has been omitted.
Talls Hayden McLean and Peter Ladhams will feature for the first time this season, while Angus Sheldrick has been recalled to the side.
Speaking to Sydney Swans Media, senior coach Dean Cox said McLean had returned to full fitness and was ready to return.
“Hayden's been injured all the way through pre-Christmas and has joined training probably from middle of February and he's now played his first full VFL game,” Cox said.
“I think we know what Hayden does, he's really strong ahead of the ball for us, he can second ruck and provide a really strong focal point for us.
“He's fit enough now and he’s in our best 22 so it's good to have him back.”
Cox said the inclusion of Ladhams would help combat the height of Fremantle’s backline.
“It’s something we wanted to try and change up, to have a look at two rucks and one of them ahead of the ball as well,” Cox said.
“They've (Fremantle) got quite a tall and experienced backline so we need to make sure that we can try and minimise their influence, but also to provide as many options as we possibly can ahead of the ball.”
Caleb Mitchell, Jack Buller and Ben Paton have moved from the squad to the emergency list.
The Swans encountered the Dockers twice last season - each club taking away a win on the opposition's territory.
Cox said it would take a four-quarter effort to get the four points on Sunday.
“One thing we have to try and do is consolidate for the whole four quarters, we were pretty good against Brisbane for patches,” Cox said.
“Now it's about trying to maintain that intensity and rage around the ball for as long as we possibly can against another quality outfit on the rebound.”
Sydney takes on Fremantle at Optus Stadium on Sunday from 3:10pm local time and 6.10pm AEDT.
