Sydney have suffered a major blow with their AFL ruckman-forward Kurt Tippett out for up to six weeks.
Scans on Monday confirmed Tippett suffered a tear in one of his hamstring tendons that join his knee.
The damage occurred in the first half of Sunday's loss to the GWS Giants at Spotless Stadium.
The 29-year-old big man has been in tremendous form this season after replacing the retired Mike Pyke as first-choice ruckman.
Tippett had logged over twice as many hitouts as his ruck partner Callum Sinclair, who will likely become the primary ruckman against Melbourne at the SCG next Sunday.
Sam Naismith, Toby Nankervis and Tom Derickx would be among the candidates for promotion to the senior side if the Swans opt for a second specialist ruckman.
There was mixed news on the fitness front for a number of other Swans on Monday.
Speedy utility Gary Rohan was cleared of hamstring damage, but there were injury setbacks for key forward Sam Reid and young defender Harry Marsh.
Rohan had bleeding near his hamstring from multiple corks, but will be tested later in the week and is expected to face the Demons.
However, Marsh, who has just started his senior career with three successive appearances, won't play next Sunday after suffering a hamstring strain against GWS.
There was yet more bad news for Reid, who hasn't played a senior game this season.
He suffered a calf strain at the beginning of the fourth quarter in the Swans NEAFL game at Spotless Stadium.
It is understood to be the same calf he had problems with earlier in the campaign.
He will have to recover prior to running again and is expected to be sidelined for three weeks.
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