Sydney have turned to inexperienced ruckman Toby Nankervis to help fill the void left by injured AFL star Kurt Tippett.
Former West Coast big man Callum Sinclair will assume the lead ruck role with Nankervis, who will play in just his seventh AFL game, in support against imposing Melbourne ruckman Max Gawn.
Tippett is set to miss two months of football after undergoing surgery on a hamstring tendon.
The third-placed Swans have made four changes for Sunday's clash at the SCG, with Aliir Aliir, George Hewett and Dean Towers joining Nankervis in the team.
They replace Tippett (hamstring), Jeremy Laidler (knee), Harry Cunningham (omitted) and Harry Marsh (hamstring).
Paul Roos has named an unchanged line-up after the Demons' Queen's Birthday thumping of Collingwood.
Greater Western Sydney also have ruck headaches, with Shane Mumford (ankle) joining Steve Johnson (foot) in being out the team to face Essendon at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Tom Downie and Matthew Kennedy have been added to the side.
Bombers coach John Longmire has made just two unforced changes to the line-up that suffered a 108-point thrashing at the hands of Hawthorn.
Fan favourite Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti returns along with Michael Hartley, with Shaun Edwards and Kyle Langford dropped.
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