The Sydney Swans have named its first team of 2026 with the club set to open the AFL season against Carlton at the SCG on Thursday night.

As confirmed earlier on Thursday, senior coach Dean Cox has named three club debutants, with Charlie Curnow, Jai Serong and Malcolm Rosas Jnr to run out in the red and white for the first time.

Cox said it was pleasing to see the club's new recruits pull on the Swans guernsey so early in the season. 

"When you acquire some talent in the off-season through trade and for them to do what's asked of them over the summer and get the opportunity to wear the red and white for the first time, it's a pretty special time," Cox said.

"So really excited to see obviously Charlie, Jai and Malcolm and what they can do for the footy club going forward."

While Curnow will run out in his first official game for the Swans, Opening Night also marks his 150th career match. The key forward made his debut for Carlton in Round 2 of 2016 - against the Sydney Swans - and played 10 seasons before requesting a trade at the conclusion of last year. Rosas will line up in his 50th game tomorrow night, after playing 49 with the Gold Coast Suns.

Exciting small forward Tom Papley has been named at half forward, after he successfully returned to match play in the AAMI Community Series last week, while Logan McDonald will play his first AFL game in over a year, after an ankle injury sidelined him for the entire 2025 AFL season.

Captain Callum Mills will feature in his first opening-round match in three years after being named at half back, and newly appointed vice captain Isaac Heeney has been named in the midfield. 

Cox said the team had been working hard over the pre-season and encouraged fans to get behind the team in the season opener. 

"Its been a really strong pre-season, you know, they've put a lot of time and minutes into our players, adjusted some things with the way we want to play," Cox said.

"The players have spent a lot of time trying to emulate that as well as they possibly can and excited to get back out in front of the red and white army and hopefully put on a good show.

"We understand obviously the opportunity that we do get to open the football season, the responsibility that does come with that but the players, all staff, everyone around the football club just can't wait for it to happen.

"We'll march towards the SCG in front of our red and white faithful and then hear them cheer loud and hopefully strong for an entire game."

For more information on attending Opening Round, visit the Match Day Hub here.