ROUND 1
Sydney Swans v Collingwood
Saturday 26 March
7.25pm, SCG

ARRIVE EARLY
Fans are reminded to arrive to the ground early as the Moore Park precinct will be busy with other major events on in the area.  Gates open 5.45pm.

DEBUTANTS
The Swans will blood three debutants on Saturday night, with Callum Mills, George Hewett and Tom Papley all set to make their AFL debut.

It’s the first time in 26 years that the Swans will have three first-gamers playing in the same match.

  • Callum Mills: Taken with pick three in the 2015 National Draft after spending time in the QBE Sydney Swans Academy. Mills impressed across half-back and in the midfield in all three of the Swans’ NAB Challenge matches.
  • Tom Papley: Upgraded from the Swans’ rookie list, Papley is a small forward from Bunyip in country Victoria who provides plenty of defensive pressure. He featured in two of the Club’s pre-season matches.

  • George Hewett: Was selected in the 2013 National Draft and has had to bide his time developing his running game at NEAFL level for the past two seasons. Hewett plays midfield and forward and is strong, clean and a good decision maker.

Experienced recruits Callum Sinclair and Michael Talia will also run out in red and white for the first time.

  • Callum Sinclair: Recruited from West Coast in last year’s trade period, Sinclair has had an impressive pre-season and will spend time in the ruck and up forward throughout the season.
  • Michael Talia: Recruited from the Western Bulldogs in last year’s trade period, Talia is a key defender who adds depth to the Club’s defensive stocks.  

SCG – 350 GAMES
The Swans will play their 350th game at the SCG when they are welcomed home in Saturday night’s Round 1 blockbuster against Collingwood. The Swans’ SCG record is 204 wins, 143 losses and two draws.

JOSH KENNEDY 400 FATHER/SON COMBINED GAMES
Josh Kennedy is due to play his 159th game this week with the Sydney Swans and Hawthorn after his father John played 241 games for Hawthorn. They will become the 15th father / single son pair in the game’s history to reach the 400 combined games mark. The list also includes Josh’s grandfather, with John Kennedy senior achieving the feat in combination with John Kennedy junior.

LANCE FRANKLIN – CAREER GOALS
Swans forward Lance Franklin needs one goal to draw level with Dick Lee (707 goals for Collingwood) in 20th spot in VFL/AFL history.

LOCKETT-COVENTRY CUP
The Swans and Collingwood will play for the Lockett-Coventry Cup tonight. The cup was born the season after Sydney’s Tony Lockett broke Magpie Gordon Coventry's goal kicking record of 1299, and to coincide with Lockett's retirement.

AROUND THE GROUND
There is plenty happening around the ground this evening including the Volkswagen Fan Zone, Swans Fan Dome including the Citi Spin2Win wheel, face painting plus much more. Arrive early to get involved.

SOCIAL MEDIA
The match can be followed live on the Sydney Swans’ social media platforms:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

MEMBERSHIP

The Swans membership tally stands at 43,246. Help welcome us home to the SCG and get behind the team this season by signing up as a member today. Visit membership.sydneyswans.com.au