Sydney superstar Isaac Heeney will miss the club’s Thursday night blockbuster against the Western Bulldogs due to injury.
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs have named captain Marcus Bontempelli despite doubts over his fitness. See the sides for Thursday night below!
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Heeney, who wasn’t named on the club’s midweek injury report, won’t play due to a calf concern, nor will Corey Warner and Joel Hamling (both omitted).
In come Will Edwards and Billy Cootee for their AFL debuts, while veteran Dane Rampe returns to the side after being managed against the Giants.
Cootee, a mature-aged third-round draftee, has impressed with his early VFL form, headlined by a three-goal outing last weekend.
Edwards, a 22-year-old key-position prospect and Swans Academy graduate, finally debuts in what is his fourth year on the Swans’ list since arriving as a Category B rookie.
Meanwhile, Luke Beveridge has swung five changes from the side that lost in Geelong last Friday, with injury carnage decimating the club.
Bontempelli was under a cloud due to a right knee hyperextension, but has gotten up to play the Swans, while Rory Lobb (hamstring) failed to prove his fitness, and Jordan Croft was omitted.
Sam Darcy (ACL), James O’Donnell (hamstring) and Tom Liberatore (concussion) had already been ruled out.
Debutant Lachlan Smith headlines the Dogs’ inclusions, with Adam Treloar also coming into Beveridge’s side for the first time this year.
Ryan Gardner and Jedd Busslinger come in as defensive reinforcements, while youngster Josh Dolan has also earned a recall.
ROUND 7 TEAMS AND FIXTURE (All times AEST)
WESTERN BULLDOGS vs. SYDNEY SWANS
Thursday April 23, 7:30pm at Marvel Stadium
BULLDOGS
B: M.Sellwood, B.Khamis, R.Gardner
HB: L.Jaques, J.Busslinger, B.Dale
C: O.Baker, M.Bontempelli (c), B.Williams
HF: R.Sanders, W.Lewis, A.Treloar
F: J.Freijah, A.Naughton, R.West
R: L.Smith, M.Kennedy, E.Richards
I/C: C.Hynes, L.Emmett, J.Dolan, L.Bramble, S.Davidson
EMG: L.Vandermeer, L.McNeil, J.Croft
In: – R.Gardner, J.Busslinger, A.Treloar, L.Smith, J.Dolan
Out: – R.Lobb (Injured), J.O’Donnell (Injured), S.Darcy (Injured), J.Croft (Omitted), T.Liberatore (Injured)
SWANS
B: W.Edwards, T.McCartin, D.Rampe
HB: C.Mills (c), N.Blakey, R.Bice
C: J.Serong, J.Rowbottom, M.Roberts
HF: L.McDonald, Ch.Warner, T.Papley
F: J.Amartey, C.Curnow, M.Rosas
R: B.Grundy, J.Jordan, J.McInerney
I/C: S.Wicks, A.Sheldrick, J.Lloyd, B.Cootee, H.Cunningham
EMG: H.McLean, Co.Warner, P.Ladhams
In: W.Edwards, D.Rampe, B.Cootee
Out: I.Heeney (Injured), J.Hamling (Omitted), Co.Warner (Omitted)
The remainder of the Round 7 teams will be announced on Thursday at 6:20pm AEST.
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