Kennedy was subbed out of last week’s win over St Kilda with hamstring tightness and will miss his first match as a Sydney Swan, a run of 127 consecutive games (including nine at Hawthorn), while Bird will require a week on the sidelines to recover from a posterior cruciate ligament strain sustained against the Saints.
With the midfield duo missing the Bulldogs match, defenders Rhyce Shaw (ankle) and Nick Smith (back) are in contention to make their respective returns from injury, while Tom Mitchell, Tim Membrey and Toby Nankervis have also been named in the Swans’ extended squad.
Should Mitchell be named in the side, the 21-year-old will play his first senior game since round four, while Membrey could play his second match after making his debut against Essendon in round 19.
First-year ruckman Nankervis is yet to play a senior game and is in line to make his AFL debut if named in the team this week.
The final 22 for Sunday afternoon’s game will be announced on sydneyswans.com.au at 5:00pm on Friday, August 22.
Sydney Swans v. Western Bulldogs
Etihad Stadium
Sunday, August 24, 2013
3.20pm
B D.Rampe, T. Richards, N.Smith
HB J.McVeigh, H. Grundy, G. Rohan
C N. Malceski, L. Parker, L. Jetta
HF A.Goodes, L. Franklin, J. Lloyd
F S. Reid, K.Tippett, H. Cunningham
Foll M. Pyke, D. Hannebery, K. Jack
I/C (from) S. Biggs, J. Laidler, T. Membrey, T. Mitchell, T. Nankervis, R. Shaw, N. Smith
In: R.Shaw , N.Smith , T.Mitchell , T.Membrey , T.Nankervis
Out: J.Kennedy (hamstring), C.Bird (knee)
