We take a look at some of the key talking points ahead of Sunday afternoon's clash against the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba in this week's Hot Topics.

Ted decision, no picnic

After completing a light session on Wednesday, Swans fitness staff will keep a close eye on Ted Richards before putting him in front of the selectors to face Brisbane on Sunday.

The veteran defender is recovering from that heavy tackle against Port Adelaide which left him unconscious, out for the rest of the game and subsequently in doubt for the upcoming Round 15 clash at the Gabba.

The medicos will put off making a decision until after the squad’s final training on Friday, right on the eve of when the final team flies north.

The last time the Swans went without the premiership full-back was Round 14, 2011 – 99 games ago.

Mixed preparation

A 13-day break didn’t bode well for the Swans in the Round 13 loss to Richmond. A six-day break did, however, after the hosts hung on for a gutsy 10-point win against Port Adelaide.

So, what impact will a 10-day break have?

The Swans’ fixture has been all over the place in the past fortnight and for one more week at least with the Swans facing another short turnaround between Sunday’s trip north and next weekend’s clash against Hawthorn at ANZ Stadium.

Only time will tell what impact it will have on the playing group. Senior coach John Longmire was of the opinion the whole group was professional enough to adapt to modern-day fixture.

Nevertheless, even against a bottom placed Lions, Longmire’s men will need to be on song to ensure the hosts don’t sink their teeth in too early.

The return of the twin towers

Inclusions don’t come much bigger than Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippett.

You’d expect Longmire to throw both straight into Sunday’s starting 22 in what would be Franklin’s first appearance at the Gabba since Round 5, 2008.

Franklin would remember that particular game well. Playing for Hawthorn, the star forward finished with an eight-goal haul while at the other end Lion-turned-Swan Daniel Bradshaw finished with seven.

Tippett’s inclusion helps Mike Pyke combat in-form Lions ruckman Matthew Leuenberger while adds another dimension to an already flexible forward line.

Lions building?

Led by Leuenberger’s colossal effort against Fremantle’s Aaron Sandilands, Brisbane pushed top of the table Dockers last week which means Sunday’s clash won’t come easy to the travelling Swans.

The loss in the wet at Perth’s Domain Stadium came eight days after the young Lions lasted for three quarters against Adelaide before running out of legs and losing by 13 points.

The Swans will no doubt be tested, but will hopefully possess too much class for the hosts who sit last on the ladder on two wins and 11 losses.

The Lions are expected to welcome a few stars back as well which should make the twilight game one to watch.

Gabba gridlock

The Swans recent record against the Brisbane Lions looks good having triumphed in the past seven encounters.

But in a total of 17 clashes the Woolloongabba stadium, the ledger is squared with Sydney and Brisbane enjoying eight wins apiece with one draw thrown in.

The venue is rather foreign to a number of Swans players. Out of that crowd John Kennedy stand out having averaged 27.67 disposals from his three appearances at the Lion’s den.