The Sydney Swans will take on Geelong in Friday night’s preliminary final without co-captain Jarrad McVeigh.

McVeigh failed to overcome a calf strain suffered in last weekend’s semi-final win over Adelaide.

He joins Toby Nankervis (omitted) as two changes for the blockbuster clash at the MCG, the duo replaced by ruckman Kurt Tippett and defender Zak Jones.

Despite joining teammates for the trip to Melbourne and taking part in the team’s final training run on Thursday afternoon, McVeigh’s last-gasp efforts to prove his fitness ultimately fell short.

It marks the first time since 2005 the Sydney Swans will go into a finals encounter without their inspirational skipper.

“Jarrad is a very good player obviously, our co-captain, and he was just a bit short this week,” Longmire said.

“We thought he was a really good chance earlier in the week but the longer the week went it become a bit too obvious.”

“We ruled him out and hopefully he is able to get his calf right.”

Tippett missed the Crows clash after fracturing his jaw in the previous week’s loss to GWS.

The 29-year-old brings invaluable experience and added firepower against Geelong’s stout defence.

“Kurt did a bit of training at the end of last week and trained really hard and well on Sunday,” Longmire said.

“He has done all the training required to play this week, all the ruck work and competitive stuff so he is ready to go.”

Jones is set to play across half-back flank, a position he’s featured in across his 14 games this season.

The 21-year-old hasn’t played since injuring his ankle in Round 17. He was close to a return before copping a heavy hit and subsequent concussion in the NEAFL grand final on September 11.

Longmire believes the zippy and aggressive defender will be up to speed despite missing more than two months of senior football.

“Zak’s form over the last few weeks has been really solid and his playing and training intensity has been of a really high standard,” he said

“He gives us some real energy and gets across the ground really quickly which is important at the MCG.”

Toby Nankervis, Harry Cunningham and James Rose have been listed as emergencies.

Sydney go in boasting a strong record against Geelong, having won three of the past four matches, including the last by 38 points in Round 16 at Kardinia Park earlier this season.

They’ve played each other three times in finals (2005, 1934 and 1914), the Swans coming away with wins in each.

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