TEAM: Fox and Roberts return

Two changes to the red and white as Fox and Roberts return.

The Sydney Swans side to face St Kilda at Marvel Stadium on Sunday afternoon has been confirmed, with Robbie Fox and Matt Roberts returning to the action.

The two Swans will replace an injured Harry Cunningham, while Caiden Cleary has been omitted from the side after featuring over the past fortnight.

After suffering just their second loss of the season last week, going down to Fremantle by one-point, Swans assistant coach Dean Cox says that while the two changes are disappointing, the pair will bring flexibility in their return.

“Harry Cunningham ham is out injured, and thats unfortunate for him and the football team. Caiden Cleary will be an out this weekend,” Cox said.

“Fox and Roberts come in. They are a couple of players that are really flexible plus give us plenty of drive and we are looking forward to having them back.”

Cox said that while the side suffered a loss last week, there were still plenty of positives and takeaways from the performance, and they will be looking to bounce back against a tough St Kilda outfit.

“The way we played in the second half, certainly we let ourselves down early,” Cox said.

“But this weekend is a great opportunity to bounce back. With the Saints, you always know that they’re going to be really tight encounters.

“We’ve certainly identified that they’ve got some really key players that can provide plenty of drive and dash so we’re going to be aware of them.

“For us, it’s about making sure that we can get back to playing the ascendancy we need in our front half.”

Round 17 coincides with our eighth annual Pride Game – thanks to Official Pride Partner HSBC – with hosting duties in the hands of the Saints at Marvel Stadium. The yearly tradition celebrates diversity, access and inclusion – everyone is welcome at the footy.

Cox said the game was a really important fixture in the Swans calendar.

“It’s great that the initiative gets shown and that we can throw our support behind Pride Game,” Cox said.

“That’s one thing, being inclusive as a footy club but also throughout the community as well. The players, the club and the supporters are right behind it which is great so we are looking forward to having a really strong performance this weekend.”

The Swans have also made a change to the emergency list for Round 15 with Patrick Snell replaced by Aaron Francis.