Sydney have been boosted by the return of ruckman Mike Pyke as they attempt to cover the loss of suspended duo Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippett.
Pyke missed the Swans’ upset loss to Richmond with a knee injury, but he comes into the side along with Dean Towers and debutant Toby Nankervis for tonight’s clash against Port Adelaide at the SCG.
Franklin and Tippett each copped one-week bans for indiscretions during the 18-point loss to the Tigers, while ruckman Tom Derickx was dropped.
The Power have regained some tall timber of their own with Paddy Ryder in for his first game since round eight after recovering from an Achilles injury.
Midfielder Kane Mitchell makes way for the former Essendon ruckman.
Important forward Robbie Gray remains in Port’s line-up having recovered from the heavy knock to the head he suffered in a Bryce Gibbs tackle during the Power’s shock loss to Carlton.
Port coach Ken Hinkley says that the absence of Franklin and Tippett won’t necessarily make Sydney easier to beat.
“If you look at the numbers, Sydney played without `Buddy’ (Franklin) three times last year, won two and lost one by three points against Richmond,” Hinkley said.
“Their form with or without Buddy, they are a very very good football club and they’re led incredibly well.
“They are not Buddy or Kurt Tippett away from being a good side.”
Sydney thrashed Port in Adelaide by 48 points back in round two, when Franklin and Tippett combined for 4.1 of Sydney’s score of 14.8 and Hinkley’s team kicked just 6.8.
“We have to absolutely learn from that game against them. They took us to the cleaners a little bit in that game with their defensive pressure, they were all over us,” Hinkley said.
He cited hardness around the ball and a determination for players to work for each other as keys for Port to lift in the second half of their campaign.
Sydney are coming off an 18-point home loss to Richmond and another defeat could see them drop to fourth below the winner of the Collingwood-Hawthorn game.
“It’s going to be a huge game for both teams. They (Port) are fighting for a spot in the finals and we’re trying to stay in the top four,” Swans’ co-captain Jarrad McVeigh said.
He wasn’t unhappy about a six-day turnaround for his side.
“We’re happy to play again straight away because we lost and we want to get back on the winners’ board,” McVeigh said.
“They (Port) are rested and ready to go and that’s fine.
“When the ball is bounced it doesn’t really matter who has had more of a break, it’s more about what we want to bring and what we want to stand for as a team.”
Full teams
Sydney Swans
Backs: Smith T Richards Shaw
Half-backs: Laidler Grundy Rampe
Centres: McVeigh Kennedy Lloyd
Half-forwards: Parker Reid Jetta
Forwards: Cunningham Goodes Rohan
Followers: Pyke K Jack
Rover: Hannebery
Interchange: Jones Mitchell Nankervis Towers
Emergencies: Hewett B Jack X Richards
New: Nankervis
Port Adelaide
Backs: Hombsch Carlile Impey
Half-backs: Trengove Jonas Pittard
Centres: Colquhoun Broadbent Ebert
Half-forwards: R Gray Westhoff Wingard
Forwards: Boak Schulz Ryder
Followers: Lobbe Hartlett
Rover: Wines
Interchange: Monfries Moore Ah Chee Krakouer
Emergencies: Neade Stewart Amon
