AFL
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Prized Sydney recruit Lance Franklin will make his debut in Swans colours tomorrow night in the AFL club's pre-season clash with West Coast.
The former Hawthorn key forward was named in a 29-man squad yesterday alongside fellow stars Lewis Jetta, Mike Pyke and Lewis Roberts-Thomson for the match at Blacktown International Sportspark.
The quartet were rested from last week's drubbing of cross-town rivals Greater Western Sydney but did get a hit-out in the Swans' intraclub match earlier this month.
Tom Mitchell, Rhyce Shaw and Sam Reid, all returning from injury, will also get the chance to log some game time tomorrow, as will rookie defender Xavier Richards.
Reid said he was excited about lining up alongside new teammate Franklin who arrived on a nine-year, $10 million deal late last year.
"He's obviously a pretty talented player," he said.
"He's brought a lot of stuff from Hawthorn to us. His knowledge is great and he shares that with us.
"As a forward group, we've trained a bit together now, so it's looking good and I'm looking forward to playing with him."
The 22-year-old premiership player said Sydney were preparing for a tough battle against the Eagles, who hammered 2013 grand finalists Fremantle by 84 points last week.
"We'll need to tie up a few things we weren't quite happy with against GWS," Reid said.
"We were a little bit off and they were able to move the ball a little bit easy.
"We definitely need to tighten that up, coming against West Coast who are in good form."
West Coast defender Patrick McGinnity has accepted a one-match AFL ban for engaging in rough conduct against Fremantle's Danyle Pearce.
McGinnity will miss West Coast's round-one home game against Western Bulldogs on March 23.
Gold Coast's Timmy Sumner has accepted a reprimand and 93.75 points towards his future record for engaging in rough conduct against Brisbane's Tom Rockliff.
While Hawthorn's Mitch Hallahan has accepted a $900 fine for making negligent contact with an umpire.