Sydney Swans v Essendon – Round 9
SCG
Saturday May 14, at 7.25pm (AEST)

INS: Tom Hickey, Sam Wicks, James Bell
OUTS: Hayden McLean (omitted), Ben Ronke (omitted), Braeden Campbell (managed)

The Sydney Swans have made three changes to their team to face Essendon in their Round 9 fixture on Saturday night at the SCG.

Ruckman Tom Hickey will return from a knee injury, while Sam Wicks and James Bell will also come into the side to take on the Bombers. Hayden McLean, Braeden Campbell and Ben Ronke will not feature in this weekend’s clash.

“Hickey gives us that flexibility to play ruck and play forward, as well as Peter Ladhams, the two of them are doing a bit of a dual role this week,” said senior coach John Longmire.

“The other two inclusions in Wicks and Bell give us that run, speed and pressure which is really important to our game.”

The Swans will be looking to return to the winners circle when they take on the Bombers, with Longmire admitting their first quarter performance must improve.

“We know we’ve got to get out of the blocks a bit better than what we’ve been doing, we’ve got to be up for it. We’ve got to match the Bombers early on, they were in some really good form last week particularly in the last quarter where they kicked 8 goals in what was a really powerful performance. We have to make sure we get going early and get on the front foot. We have to make sure we put in a four quarter performance and a more consistent performance.”

Get all the important information in our Match Day Hub ahead of Round 9

Get your tickets early for this Saturday night blockbuster with a bumper crowd expected at the SCG. The Bombers will be back in town to take on the Sydney Swans, so round up your mates for what’s sure to be a great game of footy! Click here for tickets.

ROUND 9 TEAM - Sydney Swans v Essendon