Despite a last-minute fixture change Executive GM of Football Charlie Gardiner is confident the Swans will be well prepared for Saturday’s match against West Coast.

The AFL were forced to re-jig the Round 5 fixture due to new border restrictions implemented by the Queensland Government earlier this week.

After initially planning to take on Melbourne at the SCG this weekend, Sydney has pivoted to prepare for an away trip against the Eagles.

“We got news pretty early on Monday – and a heads-up late on Sunday – that there’d likely be a change to the fixture,” Gardiner told Radio Sport National.

“The good thing for us is we were coming off a nine-day break anyway, so there’s not too much of an impact preparation-wise.

“We’ve had a few days to put some preparations in place to fly up to the Gold Coast on Saturday morning.”

Gardiner said aside from training, one of the clear implications of the fixture reshuffle is the change in opposition.

“Our opposition analysts had to pivot pretty quickly and get into the Eagles, but they all watch a lot of footy and are monitoring the trends of the game,” he said.

“They’ve just got on, rolled their sleeves up and got into it.

“It’s obviously not ideal, but I think everyone in the industry understands the environment we’re working in and we’ve all just got to be adaptable.”

It remains unclear if there will be further changes to the fixture. 

As it stands, the Swans are set to face Carlton at the MCG in Round 6, before hosting the Lions at the SCG in Round 7 - a schedule that’s not possible under the restrictions if Brisbane is to return to Queensland following the match. 

Gardiner said it’s a fluid situation and the club is committed to working with the government and the AFL to do whatever is required. 

“We’re just keeping an open mind at the moment and it is a level playing field in the way that everyone’s in the same boat,” he said.