Sydney coach John Longmire has confirmed "nothing's locked in" as far as replacing injured captain Callum Mills, with the Swans understanding an "important call" looms at selection.
A hamstring injury during a light training session last Tuesday put a line through the Swans skipper's chances of facing Port Adelaide at the SCG on Friday night, with the setback adding to a frustrating past 12 months for Mills - who has dealt with shoulder and calf issues to play just the seven games in 2024.
His absence is likely to be the only change Longmire will consider this week in the build-up to Friday's home final. However, there's no clear replacement, as a number of experienced Swans are viewed as viable options.
Veteran midfielder Taylor Adams could earn a reprieve after being dropped for the qualifying final earlier this month, while utility Robbie Fox was another to make way ahead of the win over GWS and could be an astute selection if Mills' replacement takes the sub role.
Speaking to media on Monday, Longmire said the club will benefit from the strong options who have been on standby this September but was yet to make a call on who will come into the 23-man side.
"We're sitting down and working that out now," the premiership coach said.
"Hopefully there's a couple of options there, is it a like-for-like type? We know we can't replace his leadership ability, he's very good in that space.
"We've got some options there that we're looking at at the moment. Nothing's locked in.
"We've been really pleased with our squad and ability to come out and execute. The depth and flexibility that we've got there. We've got to weigh up the strengths and weaknesses of our team, but also what Port Adelaide are going to give.
"It won't be a defining moment in the game, but it'll be an important call.
Mills' omission could mean defender Braeden Campbell comes into the starting side to face the Power, having initially been planned to start against the Giants before carrying a groin injury throughout the week that led to him being selected as the sub.
Wingman Justin McInernery was subbed out of the thrilling victory over GWS after returning from a knee injury, with Longmire confirming both players are raring to go ahead of this week's final.
"Justin has done some extra training which has been good for him," he said.
"Some specific training that he needed to do over the last couple of weeks. So, he's come through that well.
"Braeden's trained well. He was a bit sore leading into that game. One of the reasons why we put him as sub was because of that, but he's been training well."
Sydney host Port Adelaide at the SCG on Friday night at 7:40pm (AEST), with the winner to face either Geelong or Brisbane in the grand final the following Saturday.
