The Sydney Swans have made three big inclusions for Saturday night’s clash against Melbourne at the MCG.
Exciting youngster Isaac Heeney has been re-called after a missing a week with an ankle injury, while Sam Reid has also made a full recovery from a calf complaint which forced his late withdrawal ahead of last weekend’s game against the Western Bulldogs.
And, following a solid performance in the NEAFL, Ben McGlynn makes his return to the senior side which will board the plane bound for the MCG aiming to break a two-game losing streak.
Dean Towers, Craig Bird and Harry Cunningham (all omitted) go out of the side which suffered a four-point defeat to the Dogs on a wet SCG deck.
Swans coach John Longmire believes Heeney’s composure will hold him in good stead for what will be his first visit to the MCG while Reid’s versatility will add another string to the Swans’ bow.
“Sam’s game before the injury was strong and Isaac’s form before missing last week was going quite well so we needed to get those boys back into the team,” Longmire told SwansTV for Centrum Team Selection.
“Isaac is a kid who seems to handle most things ok and doesn’t get too flustered. We’re confident he can run really strongly and compete hard and that’s what we need.
“This year Sam has played forward, back and midfield for us, we can use him in all three areas and hopefully he can contribute in all of them on Saturday.”
McGlynn’s appearance for the Swans’ NEAFL side on Saturday was a way for the small forward to gain valuable match conditioning following an interrupted pre-season campaign.
Longmire believes McGlynn has banked enough miles in the legs to have a big impact over the wide expanses of the MCG.
“He’s really hard at the ball and quick, and gives us that experience we believe we need.”
Click here to view full team.