A number of selection headaches will confront coach John Longmire ahead of Saturday’s Round 15 clash against the Western Bulldogs at the SCG.

Ted Richards, Tom Papley and Harry Cunningham will all be pushing for a recall after featuring in the NEAFL Swans’ win over Aspley prior to the bye.

Richards (concussion) and Papley (shin soreness) were both managed after coming back from respective injuries.

First-year Papley burst onto the scene this season, earning the Round 3 Rising Star Nomination after a string of strong performances as a small forward.

But the 19-year-old has not played at AFL level since Round 8 after pulling up sore against Richmond.

Meanwhile, a conservative approach has been taken with Richards throughout his three-week stint on the sidelines with concussion suffered against Hawthorn in Round 9.

Richards played out the NEAFL game unscathed and will be hoping for a recall in the hope of re-joining fellow key Heath Grundy in what’s currently ranked as the best defensive group in the competition.

Jeremy Laidler (knee) and Harrison Marsh (hamstring) could also be in the mix after missing the Round 13 win over Melbourne.

While all five players could potentially return, questions remain as to who comes out of the side which defeated the Demons by 55 points.

Sydney sits second on the ladder, one win behind new ladder leaders Hawthorn, but boasts the best percentage in the league and has played one less game than those in the top five.

A win against the Bulldogs will give Sydney top spot as Hawthorn (1st), Geelong (3rd), GWS (4th) and North Melbourne (5th) all have the week off.

The Swans haven’t fared well coming off the bye, winning only two of six matches since the bye’s inception in 2011.