THE VAST majority of the Sydney Swans team that went goalless for a half of football against St Kilda will back up for a clash with reigning premier Hawthorn at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night.

Swans coach Paul Roos said he would be forced to give a number of out-of-form players a second chance against the Hawks, with injuries to the club’s youngsters cruelling their hopes of a senior call-up.

“My greatest concern is the number of young guys that are injured,” Roos said on Monday afternoon.

“We want to play some young kids but they’re just not available to be picked. I’d still back that group again – hopefully they play a lot better.

“We’re certainly looking for young guys to step up and get picked but with injuries it’s just not possible. It’s a little bit worrying that you’re playing guys again this week that aren’t in great form but that’s just the reality of where we’re at.”

Lewis Johnston, the Swans’ first pick in last year’s NAB AFL National Draft, was among the younger players to impress in the reserves’ clash against Belconnen on Sunday, while second-year midfielder Brett Meredith also shone.

But Irish rookie Brendan Murphy is set for an extended stint on the sidelines after injuring a shoulder that appears to require an operation.

For all the pre-season talk about tactics and zoning, Roos said the reasons for the Swans’ mid-game malaise at Docklands were simple.

“Rossy [Lyon] would have been doing some things [tactically] and I was trying to do some things, but if you look at the game, they smashed us in the hard ball gets after quarter time,” he said.

“The two biggest things in footy now are winning the ball, where tackling and hard ball gets are really important, and ball use.

“In the first quarter, and for probably 15 or 20 minutes of the last quarter, it was some of the best footy we’ve played for two or three years, and then to play so poorly… I just think it shows the guys the intensity of footy is high.

“Clearly, for some of them, they weren’t ready for it and hopefully they’re more prepared this week.”

Meanwhile, Luke Ablett, who was a late withdrawal from the St Kilda clash for personal reasons, played for the Swans’ reserves against Belconnen on Sunday.

Roos said a decision would be made later this week about whether to name him against Hawthorn.