Naismith, who was elevated from the rookie list at the beginning of August, comes into the team in place of fellow ruckman Mike Pyke, who will miss the match due to illness, while Jeremy Laidler has been omitted from the side.
Speaking to SwansTV for Centrum Team Selection, John Longmire said he had full confidence in Naismith to take on the ruck duties in Pyke’s absence against the in-form Richmond ruck division.
Sydney Swans v Richmond Match Day Information
“(Naismith’s) been going really well in our reserves,” Longmire said.
“He’s 205 centimetres, so he’s a young giant, and he’s been doing everything we’ve wanted him to in our reserves, so we’ve brought him into the team this week.
“Pykey was crook last week and was crook during the game, and he actually wasn’t going to play last week, and with the short turnaround he’s still catching up with weight.
“He’s been a bit sick, so we thought bringing in Sammy was a good option for us.
“He’s going to be tested against the Richmond rucks who are in really good form.”
Reid, who was a late withdrawal from last week’s win over the Western Bulldogs with groin soreness, will return to the field on Saturday after training well on Thursday morning.
Longmire said Reid had benefitted from the week off and was set to make a strong return this week.
“(Reid’s) looking really good,” the coach said.
“He’s up and about and he trained really well today, so we’re pleased to get him back in the team.”
While Reid will return to the side this weekend, midfielders Josh Kennedy (hamstring) and Ben McGlynn (calf) will be sidelined for another week with their respective injuries.
Sydney Swans v Richmond: Book Tickets
Longmire said he expected both players to be available for next week’s finals clash, and stressed that the decision to rule them out this week was purely precautionary.
“Josh and Benny are just a little bit tight,” he said.
“I’ve said all week and particularly after the game, that anyone with any injuries at all, no matter how small they might be, that we were not going to risk them in this game.
“We’d be silly to do that and we didn’t want to push them any further than what our medical staff thought they should be pushed today, so we ruled them both out and made that decision early.”
The Swans will face a determined Richmond outfit who have won their last eight matches and sit in eighth spot on the AFL table.
With a place in this year’s finals campaign on the line for the Tigers, Longmire said he expected Saturday’s clash to be “red-hot”.
Naismith gets his chance
“Richmond have already said it’s the start of their finals series and they need to play well to obviously cement themselves in the eight,” he said.
“We know that, and it’s a good preparation for us and it’s good to be able to play a team that’s got everything on the line.
“We had a tight tussle with them down at the MCG and I’m sure this game will be no different.”
Richmond has made one change for Saturday's clash, with star on-baller Dustin Martin returning to the side in place of youngster Ben Lennon.
Matt Dea, Tyrone Vickery and Sam Lloyd have been named as the Tiger emergencies.
Sydney Swans v Richmond
ANZ Stadium
Saturday, August 30, 2014
4.40pm
B N.Smith, T.Richards, D.Rampe
HB R.Shaw, H.Grundy, G.Rohan
C J.McVeigh, D.Hannebery, N.Malceski
HF L.Jetta, L.Franklin, H.Cunningham
F D.Towers, K.Tippett, A.Goodes
Foll S.Naismith, K.Jack, L.Parker
I/C S.Biggs, J.Lloyd, T.Mitchell, S.Reid
Emg Z.Jones, J.Laidler, T.Nankervis
In: S.Reid, S.Naismith
Out: M.Pyke (illness), J.Laidler
New: S.Naismith (North Shore (NSW))
Milestone: L.Jetta - 100 games
