The defensive duo will join recently promoted Swans rookie Nathan Gordon as the inclusions for Saturday’s game at Manuka Oval, to replace Kieren Jack (ankle), Jesse White and Paul Bevan.  

Swans coach John Longmire said the inclusion of Grundy would be welcome at the defensive end, and would also allow Sam Reid - who was pushed back into defence to cover the loss of Grundy - to move back to the forward line.

“Obviously Heath Grundy’s change speaks for itself, we need him back in our defence which allows us a bit more flexibility with Sam Reid,” Longmire told SwansTV.

“Heath was only sick last week… he was a bit run-down over the weekend, but he’s bounced back fine this week.”

Longmire decided to include Gordon into the team as a replacement for Jack, on the back of the impressive form the 21 year old has shown in the Sydney Swans reserves team.

“Nathan Gordon’s into the team because of his run,” he said.

“It’s fantastic for Nathan. He’s a young kid, local kid, local product - so I think it’s a great story.

“He missed out on playing in the pre-season games for us, so he would have been disappointed with that, but it’s a great sign for his persistence that he has been able to put his head down and work on the areas he needed to work on and improve so much, which is a real credit to him.”

Jesse White will play for the Swans reserves against GWS at Manuka in Canberra on Saturday morning, with Longmire looking for his big forward to regain some confidence and touch.

“It’s been difficult for Jesse as a second ruckman at times … playing different roles.”

“Primarily he just has to go back to the reserves and get a bit of form, and just really start feeling good about himself, as far as taking some marks and kicking goals,” Longmire said.

The Western Bulldogs currently sit 11th on the ladder with two wins and three losses, and pushed the reigning premiers Collingwood for three quarters last weekend.

The Bulldogs have beaten the Swans the last three times at Manuka Oval, but Longmire expects a large percentage of the Canberra crowd to be right behind the visiting Swans.

“What I do know is that we have a great following down there. The local area down there has always supported the Swans, it’s a great drawing ground for people from the Riverina as well that have Swans blood running through their veins. So hopefully we get plenty of supporters there.”

Longmire said the Bulldogs’ talented midfield would be a big challenge for his players.

"They’ve got some real pace through their midfield. They’ll bring Giansiracusa back into the team, who’s another quality midfield player.

“So we’ll need to make sure our midfield is really strong and give our forwards a chance, and take the opportunities when we get them. 

“In the second quarter last week, we had plenty of the ball, and plenty of inside 50s, we just didn’t take our chances when we had those opportunities and we’ve got to make sure this week we take our opportunities when we get them and really put the pressure on the scoreboard,’’ Longmire said.

While Barry Hall will be missing for the Dogs through injury, Longmire says that will make their attack less predictable.

“In a lot of ways it makes them a bit harder to cope with because you’re not really sure what their set-up will be,’’ he said.

“They’ve got some real unpredictability about them, so in some ways it’s a bigger challenge, but our defenders have really looked at their vision. I think the key though is making sure they don’t get too much supply, which always gets down to the midfield battle."

Sydney Swans team list

B: M.Mattner, T.Richards, A.Everitt
HB: T.Kennelly, H.Grundy, N.Smith
C: C.Bird, J.Kennedy, N.Gordon
HF: B.McGlynn, S.Reid, D.Hannebery
F: R.Shaw, A.Goodes, R.O'Keefe
Foll: S.Mumford, J.Bolton, J.McVeigh
I/C: L.Jetta, A.Johnson, J.Moore, M.Pyke
Emg: L.Johnston, B.Meredith, L.Parker

In: H.Grundy , N.Gordon , A.Johnson
Out: K.Jack (Ankle), P.Bevan, J.White

New: N.Gordon (East Coast Eagles (NSW))