SYDNEY Swans coach John Longmire is sweating on the availability of veterans Ted Richards, Kieren Jack and Ben McGlynn for Saturday night's clash with Richmond at the MCG.
Richards has missed the past two matches with a fractured eye socket, while co-captain Jack (ankle) and McGlynn (corked thigh) were both injured in the Swans' 81-point win over Essendon last week at the SCG, but managed to play out the game.
The trio will need to get through the team's final training session and pull up well before being certainties to make the trip to Melbourne on Friday to take on the Tigers.
Richmond has won the past two matches against the Swans, with forward Jack Riewoldt awarded the three Brownlow votes after booting six goals in his side's 18-point come-from-behind win at the SCG last season.
Riewoldt starred as the Tigers kicked 11 goals to three after half-time in the round 13 victory, and Richards looms as a likely opponent for the 27-year-old.
"[Riewoldt's] been having a great season," Longmire said.
"He's added so much versatility to his game and he's up the ground a lot more now than what he was a few years ago.
"He's such a beautiful kick, not only for goal, but (a) field kick (too), and he's been using that to great effect when he's been up the ground.
"That provides a couple of challenges for our defensive group to be able to get the right match-up depending on where he is (on the ground)."
'Jumping Jack' (Riewoldt) wasn't Longmire's only headache in last year's defeat, Richmond were +24 in the contested possession count thanks to captain Trent Cotchin, who led the side brilliantly with 14 of his own.
In a major boost for the visitors, Cotchin will be missing on Saturday night after failing to recover from a fractured cheekbone, and the Swans themselves have drastically improved their contested work in 2016.
The Swans lead the league in contested possessions so far this year, with star midfielder Josh Kennedy ranked second in the league with 15.3 per game, and Dan Hannebery (15) and Luke Parker (14.9) not far behind.
With Cotchin (14.2) absent, Dustin Martin (10.6) will be Richmond's number one man around the contest.
"We've been really strong inside which is good," Longmire said.
"Our midfield group have been strong but all over the ground the contested part of the game has been so important for us.
"It certainly allows us to be able get our hands on the ball but then it's a matter of what we do from there on in.
"We looked at what Dustin Martin did around the stoppages, he got his hands on the ball really well.
"He's such a powerful player and we need to make sure we neutralize them in that part of the ground to give our forwards the best opportunity."
