The Sydney Swans will run out against the Western Bulldogs this Thursday in match simulation as the club continues preparations for the 2026 AFL season. Dean Cox has named a 26-man squad including fan favourites and new faces.
Members and fans will receive an exciting glimpse at new recruits Malcolm Rosas Jr, Jai Serong and Charlie Curnow who will play in red and colours for the first time. Meanwhile, Logan McDonald is set to make a long-awaited return to play after he was sidelined for the entire 2025 AFL season due to a significant ankle injury.
Leadership duo Callum Mills and Isaac Heeney have been named alongside Errol Gulden and Brodie Grundy.
The match, which will start from 2pm on Thursday, February 19 at Whitten Oval, is one of two pre-season games ahead of Opening Night. The Swans will return to Henson Park for a practice match with the GWS Giants in the AAMI Community Series on Thursday, February 26.
Speaking to SEN earlier this week, senior coach Dean Cox said he planned to put out two "pretty strong" squads for the club's upcoming pre-season matches.
"We'll play a pretty strong team in both of those games. There's no week off between it and we need to make sure that we start the season well. We're looking forward to the next couple of weeks."
Both games will be broadcast live on Fox Footy and Kayo.
Western Bulldogs v Sydney Swans
Thursday, February 19
Mission Whitten Oval
Ball up: 2:00pm AEDT
AFL Match Simulation Squad
2. Hayden McLean
4. Brodie Grundy
5. Isaac Heeney
6. Logan McDonald
8. James Rowbottom
10. Malcolm Rosas Jr
12. Angus Sheldrick
13. Jai Serong
14. Callum Mills
15. Sam Wicks
16. Braeden Campbell
17. James Jordon
19. Peter Ladhams
21. Errol Gulden
22. Nick Blakey
24. Dane Rampe
26. Riley Bice
29. Joel Hamling
30. Tom McCartin
33. Caiden Cleary
34. Matt Roberts
35. Charlie Curnow
36. Joel Amartey
37. Corey Warner
43. Lewis Melican
44. Jake Lloyd
