LANCE Franklin headlines a host of big names set to return for the Sydney Swans next weekend when they begin their quest for a second flag in three years.
Franklin (knee), Josh Kennedy (hamstring), Ben McGlynn (calf), Craig Bird (knee) and Mike Pyke (illness) all missed Saturday's 10.8 (68) to 9.11 (65) loss to Richmond.
But of that group, Bird's damaged posterior cruciate ligament means he is the only player likely to miss out when the first-placed Swans host a qualifying final next weekend.
Franklin was a late withdrawal against the Tigers and Swans coach John Longmire was asked afterwards which players should return next week, when they are likely to face Fremantle at ANZ Stadium.
"Pretty close to all of them I'd hope," he said.
"Certainly we'd expect them all to train this week and be ready to go next week.
"As it sits, there may be one miss out of that group, but which one it is I'm not too sure at the moment."
Rather than simply resting the star-studded quintet, Longmire would have preferred some of them play against the Tigers in the final tune-up before September for the 2012 premiers.
"We wanted McGlynn and Kennedy to play," Longmire said. "That would've been good for them to play.
"(But) we worked really hard to get into a top-two position and be able to make those decisions and not risk any players.
"Anyone that had a niggle didn't play."
The Swans paid for a poor start against a Richmond side that had 5.3 on the board before the home side fired a shot.
Longmire's men have proven their fortitude this season, however, and they were able to fight all the way back to get their noses in front for the first time in the third term.
The final quarter was then up for grabs and the Swans had plenty of chances to secure victory before just falling short.
Yet they could still celebrate on the night, having secured the minor premiership with a 17-5 record, after struggling with a 1-3 start to the year.
"Super," Longmire said when asked how finishing on top felt.
"To get off to a slow start and be able to sit here now at the end of the home-and-away season and go into a home final next week is what you want.
"But we also know the work is very much in front of us now and we look forward to it."
Longmire also believed the bruising clash with the Tigers, when the teams combined for over 300 contested possessions and the Swans laid 86 tackles to 55, was the ideal finals preparation.
"We knew coming in it would be red-hot, which is exactly what you want,"he said.
"We got that and it's a good thing I hope.
"But we won't know. You still have to go out there and do it next week and it's on again."
