The Sydney Swans have made two changes for Saturday afternoon’s blockbuster clash with Port Adelaide at the SCG, with Mike Pyke and Brandon Jack named in place of Kurt Tippett and Ben McGlynn.

Tippett, who was ruled out earlier this week with a knee injury, will be joined on the sidelines by McGlynn, who will miss Saturday’s match with a fractured thumb.

Sydney Swans v Port Adelaide tickets

Speaking to SwansTV for Centrum Team Selection, Swans coach John Longmire said McGlynn could miss two matches with the injury.

“Unfortunately he’s got a small crack in his thumb that he received last week,” Longmire said.

“We thought he would be fine and he went to train today and unfortunately it wasn’t functional at all, which means that he misses this week and will also miss next week.”

With McGlynn out of the side, Longmire said Jack would add pace and forward pressure this weekend against the in-form Power, who hold top spot on the AFL ladder.

“Brandon is another player with real speed who can put some pressure on the opposition,” he said.

“Port are a terrific running team, so we need to put pressure on their front half and he’s a player who can really do that and he can really buzz around there at ground level, and that’s what we’re hoping he does.”

Pyke will also return to the senior side this week after spending a week in the NEAFL, where he notched up 47 hit-outs in the Swans reserves’ win over the Suns reserves.

Longmire said he expected the 30-year-old to spend time both in the ruck as well as up forward in Tippett’s absence.

“He’s missed a month and he came back last week and played 95-100 minutes in our reserves,” he said.

“We know he can play a really important role for us, whether that’s up forward or in the ruck, so it’s good to have him back.”

The Swans will be looking to make it eighth consecutive victories in this weekend’s match, but will face tough competition against the ladder leaders.

Longmire said Port Adelaide boasted talent across every line, and said the Swans would need to play to their strengths to record a win this week.

“All of their players are playing really well and they are all playing to their strengths,” Longmire said of the Power.

“They also play really well as a unit and are looking very confident at the moment.

“They are a hard-running team who have a lot of variation whether it’s on-ball or in attack.

“We need to make sure that we look at them and what their strengths are, but we also need to be mindful that we need to play to our strengths and understand that we need to put enormous pressure on the opposition.”

The coach encouraged Swans fans to come out and support the team on Saturday afternoon in what he believes will be a top-quality match.

“Port has had the opportunity to play in front of a packed house at Adelaide Oval a few times and that’s been a fantastic opportunity for those players,” he said.

“We’d love to have the same opportunity for our players at the SCG to be able to play in front of as big a crowd as possible.

Sydney Swans v Port Adelaide Match Day Information

“We had a terrific atmosphere against Geelong a couple of weeks ago and we get the opportunity to play the team that’s two games clear on top of the ladder on our home ground, and that’s a great opportunity.

“Our players really hope that there’s as many red and white fans there as possible to make the atmosphere fantastic and that’s what we’re hoping happens on Saturday.”

Port Adelaide has recalled a trio of key players for Saturday's crunch game against the Sydney Swans at the SCG, with captain Travis Boak headlining the inclusions.

The Power will also be strengthened by forward Angus Monfries and speedster Matt White, but midfielder Jared Polec will miss with an ankle injury. Sam Gray and Ben Newton have been omitted.

Sydney Swans v Port Adelaide
SCG
Saturday, June 14, 2014
2.10pm

B
D.Rampe, T.Richards, N.Smith
HB N.Malceski, H.Grundy, R.Shaw
C L.Jetta, J.Kennedy, K.Jack
HF J.McVeigh, S.Reid, L.Parker
F H.Cunningham, L.Franklin, A.Goodes
Foll M.Pyke, D.Hannebery, C.Bird
I/C T.Derickx, B.Jack, J.Laidler, J.Lloyd
Emg Z.Jones, T.Membrey, G.Rohan

In: M.Pyke, B.Jack
Out: B.McGlynn (hand), K.Tippett (knee)