Speaking to SwansTV for Centrum Team Selection, John Longmire said the club would stick with the 22 players who contributed in the 110-point win over Geelong last Thursday night.
“This week we go in with an unchanged team,” Longmire said.
“We’ve been really pleased with our work rate over the last few weeks and we were happy with how our players played their roles in last week’s match.”
The coach confirmed that Dane Rampe, who was subbed out of last week’s game at the SCG with a knee complaint, successfully completed training on Friday morning and will line up for the Swans on Sunday.
“He trained well today and got through everything and the medical boys said he was fine to play,” Longmire said.
“He was happy with how he went, which is good, so he’s ready to go.”
Mike Pyke will also make his return this weekend via the Swans reserves, who will play a curtain raiser against the Suns reserves at Metricon Stadium on Sunday morning.
Longmire said the 30-year-old would benefit from a run in the NEAFL after missing four weeks with a hamstring injury.
“He’s missed a month of football now, and this week was the first time he’s trained with the squad,” he said.
“We just thought it was a good opportunity for him to get some game time under his belt without the risk of playing senior football.
“Hopefully he gets through the game and pulls up really well and that’s what we’re aiming for.”
The Swans, who will be aiming for their seventh consecutive victory, will come up against an in-form Suns’ side who have won five of their last six games.
Longmire said the Gold Coast, who currently sit sixth on the AFL ladder, had taken a big leap forward this season.
“The Suns are on the same amount of wins as us and have had a fantastic season to date,” he said.
“They are really maturing as a team as everyone thought they would and they’ve got some terrific players.
“Their younger group in particular has really developed quickly and are extremely well led by Gary Ablett.
“Their midfield group is as good as any midfield group going around and they’ve got a very talented forward line.
“They are a really well-balanced team and are a good, strong contested ball team as well, which is a real credit to them.”
Longmire identified the midfield battle as a key focus for his team, including curbing the influence of Gold Coast captain Gary Ablett and the Suns’ young mids.
“There’s no doubt that (Ablett) is one of the stars of the competition,” he said.
“But they’ve really added some midfield depth this year with (Dion) Prestia, (David) Swallow, (Jaeger) O’Meara and these types of players through that midfield mix have been very dangerous.
“It is a midfield group versus midfield group battle and we need to make sure we get that right.”
Gold Coast have made three changes for Sunday's clash with Karmichael Hunt, Rory Thompson and Harley Bennell all returning to the side at the expense of Alex Sexton, Aaron Hall and Sean Lemmens who are the Suns' emergencies.
Sydney Swans v. Gold Coast
Metricon Stadium
Sunday, June 8, 2014
3.20pm
B D.Rampe, T.Richards, N.Smith
HB R. Shaw, H.Grundy, J. Laidler
C N. Malceski, J.Kennedy, J. McVeigh
HF B. McGlynn, L. Franklin, K. Jack
F A. Goodes, K.Tippett, S. Reid
Foll T. Derickx, D. Hannebery, L. Parker
I/C C. Bird, H. Cunningham, L. Jetta, J. Lloyd
Emg B.Jack, M.Pyke, G.Rohan
No Change
Milestone: H Grundy - 150 games
