West Coast v Sydney Swans
Friday, April 15. 7:40pm AEST
Optus Stadium, Western Australia

INS: Logan McDonald, Ben Ronke
OUTS: Lance Franklin (injured), Josh Kennedy (managed)

The Sydney Swans have named their team to face West Coast Eagles, as they prepare to play for the HMAS Sydney II trophy on Friday April 15 at Optus Stadium in Perth.

Senior coach John Longmire made two changes to the side, with Logan McDonald and Ben Ronke both named to play.

“Logan is a young developing key forward, he played the first couple of games then went back and worked on a few things at the next level down. He has been marking the ball well, having shots on goal, so it was good to get him back into the team,” said Longmire.

“Ben gives us that real enthusiasm, speed, hardness, and growing power in our front half. Obviously with Tom Papley and Lance Franklin out, we’re missing a couple of goal kickers in our forward half. It’s good to be able to have a player in there that can put enormous pressure on at ground level, and also hit the scoreboard when he needs to.”

Longmire revealed consistency across four quarters has been the key focus, following their late victory over the Kangaroos in Round 4.

“North Melbourne were very good, their tackling pressure was first class and it took us to the last quarter to get over the top. It was a strong last quarter, but we need a bit more consistencies over the four quarters which is what we’re after against a team that’s done well this season as far as how competitive they’ve been.”

Midfielder James Rowbottom will play his 50th AFL game.

HMAS SYDNEY II

When the Sydney Swans take on West Coast on Friday the teams will pause to honour the memory of those who died when HMAS Sydney II was lost in World War II.

November 19, 2021 marked 80 years since 645 young men died when their ship was sunk off the coast of Western Australia in 1941, in what remains Australia’s greatest naval tragedy.

The Round 5 clash will see the Swans and the Eagles play for the HMAS Sydney II Commemorative Trophy, while the player judged best on ground will receive the perpetual Gun Shell Gallantry Trophy.

Players from both teams will wear black armbands in memory of those who lost their lives in what remains Australia’s greatest naval tragedy.

Get all the important information in our Match Day Hub ahead of Round 5.

West Coast v Sydney Swans - Round Five