The Sydney Swans will travel to Queensland this weekend for a Round 7 clash with the Gold Coast Suns. Senior coach Dean Cox has confirmed his 22 with Sam Wicks a late out due to injury.
2024 draftee Ben Paton comes in for just his third match in the red and white, while Joel Hamling has been omitted for Peter Ladhams who will play his fourth AFL match this season.
Ladhams and Paton both had strong showings in the VFL last week - the tall forward kicking two crucial goals while the defender notched 25 disposals.
Caleb Mitchell moves into an emergency position.
The team announcement comes after news that Chad Warner re-signed to the Sydney Swans on a two-year contract extension on Thursday.
The star midfielder is joined by James Rowbottom and Isaac Heeney to start in the middle for the Swans, while Aaron Francis has retained his position in the side being named at full forward.
Francis made an immediate impact coming off the bench, kicking three consecutive goals in the fourth quarter. He finished the match with an additional 14 disposals in just 40 minutes of play.
The forward line in particular has been battered by injuries. Joel Amartey remains sidelined as he continues rehab from a hamstring injury, meanwhile Logan McDonald is to consult a specialist after sustaining a stress fracture in last week’s VFL game.
Speaking on the squad’s injury list on Wednesday, Cox said it was a valuable opportunity for young players to have a taste of senior football.
“If they're young, we want older players to lead from the front and lead by example so these guys can follow. If they're young, we want them to come and play to the system and to their strengths,” he told journalists.
The Swans have lost three games this season by less than two goals.
Cox added, “We've been seeing that throughout patches, just not consistently so we need to get that right."
Meanwhile after a brief stint in the forward line last week, Tom McCartin has again been named full back. Cox noting he needs to “settle” the versatile player.
“I think one thing we want from him, and we've said all the way along, we'll do whatever's best for the team, and this week it'll be behind the ball. That's one thing I'll put my hand up, we probably need to settle Tom.”
The Swans encountered the Suns once last season, Sydney recording a 53-point win at the SCG. Third placed Gold Coast have had a solid start to the season with four wins from five matches, their first loss coming last week on the road against Richmond.
Sydney takes on Gold Coast at People's First Stadium on Sunday from 1:15pm. The VFL team will play in a curtain raiser from 9:25am.
Fans can catch the team in action at Open Captain's Run from 2:30 - 3:30pm on Saturday, April 26 at People First Stadium.
