The Brisbane Lions are reporting that Marco Paparone will play in Sunday's clash at the SCG.

The 22-year-old has been stranded on 49 games after persistent hamstring injuries has kept him sidlined for the past 12 months.

He's worked his way back nicely, including a 30-disposal effort in last week's NEAFL clash, to be included in the Lions' squad for the Round 7 encounter.

He's one of five alongside Jake Barrett, Tom Bell, Josh Walker and Josh Clayton who were included to replace injured omissions Dayne Beams (Quad) and Tom Cutler (Hamstring).

The 193cm, 84kg key defender will boost the visitors' backline consisting of Daniel McStay, Harris Andrews and Darcy Gardiner who'll be looking to quell the likes of talls Lance Franklin, Sam Reid and Callum Sinclair on their home deck.

Beams, averaging more than 28 disposals in his six matches this season, has bounced back from his injury-riddled 2016 to be influential as the Lions' new skipper.

He'll be a big loss to their midfield group, but they still have Tom Rockliff and Dayne Zorko to step in and help fill the void.

Daniel Rich, who'll be enjoying his 150th milestone, has been named in the back pocket but he's expected to rotate through the midfield at some stage to take advanatge of the SCG's smaller dimensions with that penetrating left boot.

Brisbane sit 16th on the ladder with one win and five losses and are coming off a sizeable defeat to Port Adelaide last weekend.

This week, they'll be looking to break a hoodoo and avoid a 10-game losing streak against the Sydney Swans.

They haven't beaten the red and white since Round 3, 2009, nor played at the SCG since Round 6, 2013.

The Lions pushed the Swans in their only clash last season with that game going down to the wire at the Gabba - 15.7 (97) to 14.10 (94).