Forward twin towers Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippett will be missing, but for most of the rest of the key Sydney Swans players, the long road to redemption from last year’s grand final shocker starts in Coffs Harbour on Friday.
The Swans play their first NAB Challenge match against Brisbane, just over five months since their 63-pont flogging by Hawthorn in the 2014 season decider.
Much less will be at stake on Friday evening on the NSW north coast, but the game will allow the Swans to finally vent any lingering pent up frustration built up over the summer months following their inexplicable capitulation against the Hawks.
Coach John Longmire emphasised this week the club couldn’t do anything more about what happened last year and was focused on their 2015 campaign.
Injuries have ruled out both Tippett and Franklin from Friday’s game.
Veterans Adam Goodes, Ted Richards and Jarrad McVeigh have been rested from the fixture.
However, most of the rest of the grand final losing team were named in the squad for Friday’s encounter.
Longmire has opted to give his assistants a run in charge of the side through the NAB Challenge, with John Blakey taking the reins this week.
The Lions will be having their second pre-season run following a three-point win over St Kilda last Saturday.
Versatile big man Stefan Martin has been named after being rested from that game.
Off season recruit Allan Christensen won’t play for a second straight week, but the club has stressed his first hitout was always intended to be their third game against Gold Coast.
Brisbane will continue to search for the right balance between tall and small forwards, as they embark upon a new season for the first time since 2000 without club legend Jonathan Brown.
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