Former West Coast big man Callum Sinclair will shoulder the bulk of Sydney's ruck duties in Thursday's high stakes AFL clash with the Eagles in Perth, following a rash of injuries to the winless Swans' ruckmen.
Kurt Tippett (ankle), Sam Naismith (knee) and Darcy Cameron (shoulder) were all unavailable for the match at Domain Stadium.
Tippett had already missed one match, Naismith was injured in the Swans' final training drill and Cameron, who has yet to play a senior game, was hurt in a NEAFL match last weekend.
Sydney coach John Longmire had full confidence in Sinclair to handle the workload.
"We got him for the reason to be able to come in and play really good, strong hard footy for four quarters," Longmire said.
Key forward Sam Reid could be pressed into service as a backup ruckman, as he was against the Western Bulldogs in round two, after Tippett was injured early.
Naismith's injury added to Sydney's already extensive early season casualty list.
However, there was one good piece of news on the fitness front for Longmire, with livewire small forward Tom Papley picked for his first game of the season..
Papley, who in his first year was the Swans' second highest goalkicker in 2016 behind Lance Franklin, suffered from knee issues in the pre-season.
"It's good to have him back in, he gives us great energy, he's an important goalkicker for us," Longmire said.
"Tom's ability to play as that small, crumbing forward in our front half has been really missed over the last few weeks."
Papley and Harry Cunningham replaced Naismith and Jordan Dawson, who made his debut last week.
Sydney have conceded an uncharacteristically high average 100 points a game so far in 2017.
But back Nick Smith felt only small changes were required, with senior players needing to show the way.
"I don't think the way we go about it will change. We do have to tighten up on a few things but our intent won't change from the way it's been," Smith said.
"Some of our young guys have been really good but some of the senior players have to lift their games and we just need to start winning."
