Sydney recognises a wave of emotion won't be enough to sweep aside St Kilda on what looms as a massive day for the Swans at the SCG on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Forward Lance Franklin will finally chalk up his 300th AFL appearance, while club stalwarts Kieren Jack and Jarrad McVeigh play their last match before retirement.
With two other Swans' 2012 premiership players Heath Grundy and Nick Smith having retired earlier in the season and also expected to be recognised on Saturday, there will be far more emotion than is usual for a last round clash between two clubs who can't make the finals.
"I'd imagine there will be a lot of emotion around, but once that ball bounces that's not going to get it done," Swans' midfield coach Brett Kirk told AAP on Friday.
"We feel that we've had a season that has been disappointing and and we want to finish it the right way.
"We know St Kilda are in the same boat and they've also got an interim coach that wants to finish off on high note."
Improving St Kilda could turn out to be the ultimate party pooper, as they seek to continue their late season resurgence under caretaker coach Brett Ratten.
"If we allow the hype around (the Swans) to get into our thoughts and distract us it will be an issue, so we'll just focus on what we can control and respectfully acknowledge those players," Ratten said.
Franklin and McVeigh return after missing eight and nine games respectively.
McVeigh, will join Jude Bolton in equal second on the Swans all-time appearance list with 325 and Jack will finish on 256, joint sixth with Grundy.
Former Swans captain Kirk played alongside all four of Sydney's retiring players and was Franklin's forwards coach in 2016-17.
"Every time he steps out there I'm in awe of what he can do out on the footy field, there's not too many people that can do the things Lance can do," Kirk said.
Franklin could find himself up at some stage against another milestone man, Sam Rowe, who will make his 100th and final AFL appearance.
Rowe played 99 games for Carlton before being picked up by the Saints in the pre-season supplemental signing period.
He will make his Saints debut on Saturday and will then retire, along with teammate David Armitage, who will finish on 170 games after 13 seasons at the club.
Former Swan Dan Hannebery will line up against his old club for the first time, but Saints will be without Jade Gresham, who has an eye socket injury.
Australian Associated Press
