Towers, 24, who was taken by the Swans with pick 22 in the 2012 National Draft, comes into the side in place of fellow 2014 debutant Zak Jones, who will miss the match with Achilles soreness.
Speaking to SwansTV for Centrum Team Selection, John Longmire said Towers, who has been named an emergency on eight occasions this season, had well and truly earned his opportunity this week.
Triple treat on tickets: Swans v Carlton
“He’s done everything right for us this year,” Longmire said.
“He had a great pre-season and he was an emergency for us for a long time, but he’s really developed his game this year and has learnt a lot about the style of footy we want him to play.
“He’s really gifted athletically and he’s extremely quick and has great endurance.
“It’s good to give him an opportunity.”
Towers was struck down with a fractured rib in the Swans reserves clash with the NT Thunder on May 31 and missed three weeks.
He returned to the NEAFL a fortnight ago, and rediscovered his best form last week against Ainslie, where he picked up 26 possessions, booted three goals and chased hard and applied pressure on the half-forward line.
Deano's debut
Longmire said Towers’ athleticism and versatility would be a valuable addition to the team this week.
“He’s a flexible player and can play forward, midfield or back and he’s been able to do all of those roles for us at different times in the reserves,” he said.
“It’s good to add a player into the team who can play a number of different roles, but most importantly it’s about keeping it pretty basic and pretty simple.
“It’s just about playing his role and to the team structures and I’m sure he’ll do that.”
Jones will miss this week’s match after pulling up with a sore Achilles following Thursday’s final training session.
“Unfortunately he was injured and copped a hit last week, but in the end he’s not missing because of that, it’s because of a sore Achilles,” Longmire said.
“It was interesting leading up to this team selection because we didn’t expect him to be out, but hopefully it’s only a short one and he can get himself right for the next game.”
Sydney Swans v Carlton Match Day Information
Longmire said the 19-year-old’s injury was a disappointing result after he had shown good signs in his first three matches in the red and white.
“We’ve been really pleased with Zak and how he’s gone since Rhyce Shaw has been out injured,” he said.
“To be able to have Zak come in and play the role that Shawy was playing pretty well has been really good.”
Carlton have recalled David Ellard and Nick Graham for Saturday night's contest, with vice-captain Andrew Carrazzo (quad) and Rising Star nominee Troy Menzel (shoulder) both missing.
Dennis Armfield, Matthew Watson and Jeff Garlett have been named as their emergencies
Sydney Swans v. Carlton
SCG
Saturday, July 12, 2014
7.40pm
B D.Rampe, T.Richards, N.Smith
HB J. Laidler, H.Grundy, J.McVeigh
C N. Malceski, J.Kennedy, H. Cunningham
HF L. Parker, S. Reid, L. Jetta
F A. Goodes, L.Franklin, B. McGlynn
Foll M. Pyke, K. Jack, C. Bird
I/C B. Jack, J. Lloyd, G. Rohan, D. Towers
Emg T.Derickx, T. Membrey, G. Hewett
In: D. Towers
Out: Z. Jones (Achilles)
New: D. Towers (North Ballarat (VFL))
