The Sydney Swans have made two changes for Saturday’s twilight clash against Essendon, with debutant Tom Mitchell and forward Tommy Walsh named in the team.

Swans star Adam Goodes has also been named in the final 22 to take on the Bombers in front of a sell-out crowd at the SCG.

Making way for Mitchell and Walsh is Sam Reid, who suffered a quad tear in last Friday night’s win over Collingwood, as well as Jed Lamb, who has been omitted.

Swans coach John Longmire told SwansTV it is fantastic to be able to blood another of club’s up-and-coming talents this week.

“Tommy (Mitchell) worked really hard and had a lot on injuries last year and wasn’t able to get the training, let alone the games he needed under his belt and he had a bit of delayed start to this year,” Longmire said.

“He’s played the last seven weeks in our reserves and has been really good in his form and fitness to the point that he’s forced his way into the senior side, so it’s a great opportunity for him.

“Jed Lamb is a little bit unlucky and hasn’t done a lot wrong and I’m sure he’s going to get more opportunities as the season progresses, but (Mitchell) we wanted to give a chance as well just as we gave Jed a chance a few weeks ago.”

Longmire said he hoped that Walsh, who kicked seven goals in the NEAFL last weekend and was among the Swans reserves’ best, would take his opportunities up forward this weekend.

“We just want Tommy (Walsh) to really compete for us and to give us a target up in our front half and to make sure that he brings the ball to the deck and allow our smaller blokes to get after it,” he said.

“That’s essentially what we ask of all our key position players, to make sure they compete and provide a real target for us in our front half.”

Longmire added that while the injured Reid would be hard to replace, he was confident that Walsh could make an impact against the Bombers.

“I think people probably underestimate what Sam does for the team,” Longmire said.

“He’s got absolute top-end pace and he also does a lot of strong work defensively, which really helps the team.

“It’s just another challenge and an opportunity for another player and Tom Walsh had a chance a couple of weeks ago and gets another chance this weekend against quality opposition at the SCG and we’re confident he can do well.”

Essendon have been one of the in-form teams so far this season, recording seven wins from nine starts, with Longmire seeing first-hand their win over Richmond last Saturday night at the MCG.

“They’ve had a fantastic season to this point and they’ve had some big scalps and they’ve got a really good injury list and are in red-hot form,” he said.

“I saw them play last week at the MCG and they were terrific that night and are strong all over the ground and really don’t’ have a weakness in their team.

“We saw that last year at the halfway point of the year before they had some injuries and they were really good and were on top of the ladder.

“They’re a quality team and they play a really good style of footy, so it’s going to be a really tough game, like they all are, especially here at the SCG, but we’re really looking forward to it.”

Sydney Swans v. Essendon
SCG
Saturday, June 1, 2013
4.40pm

B N.Malceski, T.Richards, N.Smith
HB J.McVeigh, H.Grundy, D.Rampe
C L.Jetta, D.Hannebery, K.Jack
HF R.O'Keefe, A.Goodes, J.Bolton
F S.Mumford, T.Walsh, B.McGlynn
Foll M.Pyke, J.Kennedy, L.Parker
I/C C.Bird, A.Everitt, T.Mitchell, M.Morton
Emg T.Armstrong, J.Lamb, J.White

In: T.Mitchell, T.Walsh
Out: S.Reid (Quad), J.Lamb

New: Tom Mitchell (Claremont (WA))