The Sydney Swans have made one change to their side to face Essendon at the SCG on Thursday night.

Hayden McLean makes way for Lance Franklin who returns to the side after being managed last week.

Coach John Longmire said that Franklin is feeling good ahead of his second match of the season and said last week allowed him to get another week of important training under his belt.

"Lance is feeling good, so it's great to have him back in," Longmire said.

"He's a star player and he comes back into the team with a real presence in our front half, we expect him, like all the others in our forward half to play a role."

After a solid start to the 2021 season, the undefeated Swans face an Essendon side who secured a victory over St.Kilda in Round 3.

"Essendon were fantastic last week and beat last year's finalists by 75 points, so we need to make sure we put pressure on them around the ball and try reinforce the things we have been doing well," Longmire said.

"We need to make sure we keep going, it's important when you win a couple of games that you keep doing the things you know work and we have to keep that up."

The Thursday night fixture is the first night match at the SCG with a significant crowd since Round 14, 2019.

The match kicks off at 7.20pm and will be broadcast on Channel 7, Fox Sports and Kayo.

The Swans are back in action at the SCG on Thursday night when they face Essendon. Take the family and be there LIVE. Click here to purchase your tickets to the clash.

Coming to the game this week? Make sure you check out all the important Match Day Information in our handy Match Day Hub ahead of the game.