Senior coach Dean Cox has named his side to take on Geelong this Sunday with two changes to the team.
Brodie Grundy and Justin McInerney have been ruled out for the club's last home game. The ruckman suffered concussion late in last week's game on The Gabba while McInerney sustained a PCL injury, sidelining the midfielder for the remainder of the season.
In their places returns Will Hayward who has missed several weeks due a low grade calf strain, and Peter Ladhams who has enjoyed a strong outing in the VFL in recent weeks. Speaking to Sydney Swans Media Cox confirmed the changes.
"[Will] was touch and go last week and unfortunately didn't quite get there but trained really hard over the weekend and throughout the week so I'm looking forward to seeing him get back in the same," he said.
Cox added, "He's been really consistent and shared the ruck role with Brodie, and obviously with Brodie missing he comes and takes over that mantle."
Meanwhile 19-year-old forward Jesse Dattoli will get a run in just his third senior game alongside Jack Buller who will play his eighth consecutive game of AFL this season as an up-and-coming tall forward.
Sydney Swans v Geelong Cats
Round 23 Sun 17 Aug 2025, 5:15 AM
SCG, Sydney • NSW
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View moreLast Updated 6:58 pm Wednesday, September 03, 2025
Cox is expecting a tough match against the Cats who currently sit second on the ladder, despite the Swans causing a thrilling upset against the Brisbane Lion last week.
"They're a phenomenal football club and team. What they've done consistently and certainly throughout this year is really impressive," he said.
"So they've played the game 18 minutes more than any other team in their front half, they are dangerous everywhere across the ground and a really good challenge for the playing group."
The club is set to celebrate two milestone games this weekend. Lewis Melican will run out in his 100th career game and Nick Blakey in his 150th.
Hailing from Victoria, Lewis Melican was rookie-listed by the Swans in November 2014 and enjoyed a breakthrough 2017 season enroute to winning the club’s Rising Star award. His career has been one of resilience after injury previously halted his consistency in the AFL.
"A hundred games has taken a long time for Pell. One thing he's shown throughout that time is great determination and a lot of resilience to overcome some of the injuries he's had, the attention to detail puts into his body and yeah just really pleased to see him reach his milestone," Cox said.
Star defender and QBE Sydney Swans Academy product Nick Blakey, famously known as "the Lizard", made his AFL debut in Round 1 of the 2019 season and in the same year received the club’s Rising Star award. After a standout season in 2024, he placed in the top five of the Bob Skilton Medal.
"Obviously a fan favourite and you know the way he plays the game, what he's contributed to this football club over those 150 games is profound."
Round 23 will coincide with Member Thank You Round as the club celebrates our red and white supporters. Gates open from 1:15pm with first bounce at 3:15pm. Visit the Match Day Hub for game day information.
