Sydney is set to welcome back Jake Lloyd and Chad Warner for Friday night’s blockbuster return to the SCG, where Lance Franklin could crash through the 1000-goal barrier.
The Swans beat the Giants in their season opener at Accor Stadium on Saturday but haven’t played at the SCG since a 38-point loss to Hawthorn more than nine months ago because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Both Sydney clubs have hopped across Australia txjmtzywhe past two seasons trying to avoid Covid outbreaks but are settled in the Harbour City again and aiming for finals.
John Longmire’s men will host fellow first-up winner Geelong in what promises to be an early litmus test for each side, with the inclusions of Lloyd and Warner from the AFL’s health and safety protocols a timely boost.
“It’ll be great to get back at the SCG. It’s a great venue and we’re playing against an absolutely gun team in Geelong, so you’ll see some players on both teams that are real generational footballers,” Longmire said.
“Hopefully, (the fans) get here nice and early because we’re expecting a really big crowd.
“We’re just looking forward to bringing the same sort of pressure. We know that Geelong, on the weekend, plus-42 contested ball and it’s been their trademark for a long time.
“They’re a quality team, they’re a hard team and they win their own footy, so you’ve got to be good in that space to match it with the Cats.”
The only Swans injury concern out of the round 1 victory was young dasher Justin McInerney’s knee injury, but Longmire was confident he would be fit to play.
Angus Sheldrick is vulnerable with Lloyd and Warner coming back in, even though he impressed with his defensive pressure on debut.
Sheldrick is just one of a talented group of young players at Longmire’s disposal, including re-signed forward Logan McDonald, Errol Gulden, Braeden Campbell, James Rowbottom, McInerney and Nick Blakey.
“You’re hopeful that the younger players come through underneath and learn off the older players and start to really grab their opportunities and we’re seeing a bit more of that,” he said.
“We’ve still got a fair bit to prove in that space, so, hopefully, the improvement continues, but we know it just doesn’t happen.
“We’ve got to keep working at it and we’re confident that younger group have got some very experienced players around them who can help them with what’s required to be a consistent team and player.”
