Sydney coach John Longmire expects third-string ruckman Lachlan McAndrew to make his AFL debut early into this season, while the Swans mull plans to rest veteran forward Lance Franklin throughout the year.
McAndrew has quickly emerged as Sydney's leading ruck option for their Round 1 bout with Gold Coast in mid-March due to injuries to Tom Hickey (calf) and Tom Hickey (knee) both missing the club's most recent pre-season hitout.
Ladhams is seen to be in the mix for this weekend's matchup with Carlton after battling knee tendinitis, however, Hickey is set to spend the start of the season on the sidelines.
McAndrew impressed against Brisbane as Longmire's only recognised ruckman, with the performance having the emerging tall in the frame for a debut this year.
"He learnt a lot coming out of that game," Longmire toldย RSN of McAndrew's pre-season performance. "He's only 22."
โWe expect with Tom Hickey at the moment having a calf injury that he will certainly be looking at some game time at some point early in the season.
"That will be great for Swans fans to see as well."
The Swans will also be weighing up the selection of Lance Franklin across their campaign, with the 19-year veteran set to be rested through periods of the year.
Longmire confirmed the club isn't expecting Franklin to be available every round, looking to make sure the four-time Coleman Medal winner is fit for the pointy end of the season.
"It wouldn't be too much of a surprise to say we don't expect him to play every week, every minute of the game," the Swans coach said.
"At 36 it can be a real challenge to do that. He's had a bit of a restricted pre-season, he only played a half last week.
"He hasn't been going at full power through the pre-season, so the plan is to build him up again this week, and it will take a few weeks for him to hit his stride."
The Swans will host Carlton at Blacktown International Sportspark on Friday night for their final pre-season match before attention turns to their season opener at Carrara on Saturday, March 18.
