The Sydney Swans have made five changes to the team to take on the Gold Coast Suns at Metricon Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

In a boost for the Swans, forward Isaac Heeney will return to the side after missing last week's Sydney Derby due to a hand injury sustained against Essendon in Round 4.

Midfielder James Rowbottom will also come back into the senior side after making a successful return through the VFL last week. Rowbottom has been sidelined since Round 1 after sustaining a bone bruise to his knee in Round 1 against the Lions.

Young defender Tom McCartin will miss the game after reporting hamstring tightness and Kaiden Brand comes into the side to replace him for his first game since Round 2, 2020. Hayden McLean and Callum Sinclair also come into the side.

Lance Franklin (knee), Tom Hickey (knee), Logan McDonald (omitted) and Braeden Campbell (omitted) are the other changes.

Coach John Longmire said it was good to have the likes of Heeney and Rowbottom back in the side, with Heeney getting the green light from the specialist to play this week.

"The specialist he saw this week gave him the all clear and he's really confident, he feels good, he's trained this week and again today," Longmire said.

"Isaac is an important player, he's hard competitive and he's a great decision maker.

"Unfortunately Tom McCartin didn't quite get up, he has had a tight hamstring and we felt it was just too much of a risk.

"It's not too bad so hopefully he will be available next week."

Callum Sinclair will take on ruck duties for his first game of the season and Hayden McLean will play his third senior game for the year.

"Callum comes into the ruck, he has played a lot of senior footy for us," Longmire said.

"Hayden has played some senior footy for us this year too and they provide different avenues for us and we are confident in what they can do."

Longmire said his side need to make sure they are ready to come up against the a Suns team that are 'really good in the contest.'

"It's always about putting enormous pressure on the opposition," Longmire said.

"We were a bit inconsistent at that last week and we would like to be better this week."

The game kicks off on Saturday afternoon at 1.45pm AEST and will be broadcast on Fox Footy, 7Mate (NSW & QLD) and Kayo Sports.