Overview
- The Swans elevated Dane Rampe on Monday to captain the club for the rest of the season and to lead the side into Friday’s preliminary final at the SCG.
- Callum Mills suffered a suspected anterior cruciate ligament tear in the qualifying final and faces a lengthy layoff that could extend into the 2027 season.
- Five key players — Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, Riley Bice and James Jordon — are serving club-imposed bans from the Pullman Hotel incident and will not play again this year.
- Coach Dean Cox must finalise selection with forward Joel Amartey (Achilles) and winger Justin McInerney (hamstring) nearing fitness but not yet settled into the match day squad.
- Rampe, a 36-year-old defender with 288 games and previous co-captaincy experience who led the Swans during the 2024 finals run, takes charge against minor premiers Fremantle who enter the match as favourites after their semi-final win.