Don't miss any of the news involving the Swans as we bring you everything from the newspapers around the country on Friday 28th August, 2015.

If anybody knows the stress Ted Richards has experienced playing fullback for most of his career, it’s the man he succeeded at the Swans, Leo Barry.

Like Richards, Barry made his name as a defender after switching from the forward line and played his best football down back where any mistake was punished by an opposition goal.

Richards will chalk up his 250th AFL game (33 for Essendon) against St Kilda on Sunday.

“One of Ted’s greatest assets has been staying calm,” Barry told the Daily Telegraph.

“I don’t know if you get desensitised to the position but what you do is learn to deal with pressure.”

LANCE Franklin is back and he’s brought a couple of his mates with him, including livewire forward Gary Rohan and midfield gun Tom Mitchell.

Franklin has missed four of the past five games including the last three in a row with a back strain and rib cartilage damage but after a strong week on the track will face St Kilda at Etihad on Sunday.

The three-game stretch on the sidelines is the longest since Franklin arrived at the Swans last year.

“Lance has missed a few games and obviously it’ll be good to get him back in the team,” Swans coach John Longmire said.

“And we all know what Gary can provide at his best.”

Lance Franklin has just one more hurdle to clear before making his return from injury as Sydney muscle up for the run into the finals.

Franklin, Gary Rohan and Tom Mitchell are all in line to be recalled by the Swans for their clash with St Kilda - a game they must win to keep their hold on fourth spot.

The trio were named in the Swans' 25-man squad on Thursday night and need only to get through training on Friday to line up against the Saints on Sunday.

Two years after being inspired by Mike Pyke's trailblazing AFL achievements, Jason Holmes will ruck against him in a Canada v USA duel.

Pyke and Holmes will probably contest the opening bounce when St Kilda host Sydney on Sunday at Etihad Stadium.

Last weekend, Holmes became the first American-born-and-raised AFL player and impressed in St Kilda's draw with Geelong.

Saints fans were rapt with Holmes' massive vertical leap.

The threat of gaping deficiencies in Sydney's ageing list has prompted the AFL to consider partially lifting the restriction on the Swans' ability to move players in the forthcoming trade period.

The club lodged a formal submission with the AFL late on Wednesday after talks between the two parties in recent days are understood to have persuaded the league that the Swans' predicament could not only damage the club but have a domino effect on the competition as the trade period looms.

Fairfax Media understands the Swans, looking to land a ruckman such as Matthew Leuenberger or Zac Smith, are attempting to persuade the AFL that they should be allowed to at least trade in a player of equal financial value to a departing or retiring player.