No Tom Papley, no Dane Rampe, no James Rowbottom - no worries.
Injury-hit Sydney are confident they have the depth to overcome a late-season lull and dent the Western Bulldogs’ top-eight hopes in the process.
Taylor Adams of the Swans celebrates a goal during their narrow loss to Brisbane at The Gabba.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
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The ladder-leading Swans have lost three of their last four matches and return home to the SCG on Sunday licking their wounds after a nail-biting two-point defeat to Brisbane.
Star forward Papley is unlikely to feature again in the home-and-away season after sustaining a medial ankle ligament injury at the Gabba, while defensive stalwart Rampe (low-grade calf strain) will be out for up to two weeks.
James Rowbottom (cheekbone) and Justin McInerney (knee) are also still sidelined.
But captain Callum Mills is back for his second game of the season after a week out and forward Sam Wicks has been recalled, leaving utility Robbie Fox confident his side will be able to cope with the injuries.
“We’ve been blessed this year to have so many midfielders, so a couple of boys might be out of the team, but we’ve got boys coming back in and can play different roles,” Fox said.
The Swans face a talented Bulldogs outfit that have beaten top-four fancies Carlton and Geelong in consecutive weeks, bringing them within reach of the top eight with five rounds left to play.