Ted Richards' senior recall has been delayed another week after the veteran defender was named to play in Saturday's NEAFL curtain-raiser against NT Thunder.
Richards, who hasn't featured at AFL level since his head knock and subsequent concussion against Hawthorn in Round 9, will line up at centre-half back in his second appearance for the NEAFL Swans this season.
The 33-year-old played, albeit on managed game time, in the NEAFL Swans' win against Aspley a fortnight ago. The win, to the tune of 63 points at Blacktown International Sportspark, put the NEAFL Swans two games clear at the top of the table.
Their closest rival is NT Thunder who boast a strong 8-3 record and a wealth of AFL experience including Raph Clarke (St Kilda), Richard Tambling (Richmond/Adelaide) and Jared Brennan (Brisbane).
The reigning premiers are fresh from an 88-point thrashing of Brisbane last week while, along with their senior counterparts, the NEAFL Swans enjoyed a mid-season bye.
"They're in good from and it'll be good to play them out here on the SCG in front of what's hopefully a strong crowd that's streaming in for the main game," NEAFL Swans coach Rhyce Shaw said.
"We're looking forward to the challenge. Our young guys going up against quality AFL players is a really good test.
"They're second and we're top, so hopefully we can keep it that way and keep widening that gap."
Harry Cunningham will start in the middle of the ground as the midfielder also works towards a senior recall. Aliir Aliir slots back into a defensive post after making way for Jeremy Laidler in the AFL side which takes on the Bulldogs at 4.35pm.
Saturday will mark NT Thunder's first appearance at the SCG. They've played in Sydney twice before, in 2014 at Drummoyne Oval and BISP, with the home side getting the better of the visitors on both occasions.
It will be the first clash between the two sides in 2016, with another game fixtured for Round 20 at Darwin's TIO Stadium.
For those unable to catch the top-of-the-table clash, you can stream it live courtesy of NEAFL TV via youtube.com/northeastafl
NEAFL Round 14
Sydney Swans v NT Thunder
Saturday, July 2
SCG, Moore Park, 12.55pm
B: Colin O’Riordan, Xavier Richards, Aliir Aliir
HB: Nic Newman, Ted Richards, Sam Murray
C: Jack Hiscox, Harry Cunningham, Angus Baker
HF: Jordan Dawson, Ned Reinhard, Callum McFadden
F: Brandon Jack, Kyle Galloway, Tom Papley
Foll: Tom Derickx, Jordan Foote, Matt Wilson
Inter: Sam Naismith, Darcy Baron-Hay, Tyrone Leonardis, Jake Veale
Emer: Ryan Hebron
In: Aliir Aliir, Tyrone Leonardis, Angus Baker
Out: Abaina Davis, Jake Brown, Ryan Hebron
*Denotes senior emergency
**Denotes QBE Sydney Swans Academy top-up
