MATT Suckling has suffered the heartbreak of missing the Western Bulldogs' historic return to the Grand Final, after failing to force his way back into an unchanged side from Achilles soreness.

Meanwhile, the Sydney Swans have been bolstered by the return of co-captain Jarrad McVeigh (calf) and NAB AFL Rising Star winner Callum Mills (hamstring), replacing Aliir Aliir (knee) and unlucky youngster Harrison Marsh (omitted).

Click here for the full Grand Final teams

The absence of Suckling, a dual-premiership player at Hawthorn before moving to the Kennel this season, means the Bulldogs will be the first Grand Final team not to have a single player with experience in the big dance since St Kilda in 1997.

On the other hand, the Swans will field eight premiership players and 13 who have appeared in a Grand Final.

Suckling appeared sore at training this week after missing the epic preliminary final triumph over Greater Western Sydney and has been named as an emergency, with Fletcher Roberts holding his spot for the Dogs' first Grand Final since 1961.

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Luke Beveridge's team is gunning for the club's second flag and first since 1954.

Ruckman Tom Campbell – a back-up for Jordan Roughead (eye) – and Lin Jong, who was best-on-ground in the VFL Grand Final last Sunday, are the Bulldogs' other emergencies.

Veteran defender Dale Morris has been picked despite appearing to undergo a fitness test during the week and being restricted to light duties at the Whitten Oval on Thursday.

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For the Swans, Marsh, who has played the past four games, big man Toby Nankervis and speedster Harry Cunningham are the emergencies in the 25-man squad. 

Journeyman defender Jeremy Laidler will play in his first Grand Final after being an emergency in 2014, with the ex-Geelong and Carlton backman timing his run to perfection.

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Laidler came back into the side for the semi-final smashing of Adelaide and has held his spot, while tough nut Zak Jones overcame concussion and played his first game since round 17 in the preliminary final.

Swans defender Aliir was ruled out earlier this week after landing awkwardly and hurting his knee in the preliminary final belting of Geelong.

Saturday, October 1

Sydney Swans v Western Bulldogs at the MCG, 2.30pm AEST

SYDNEY SWANS
In: J.McVeigh, C.Mills
Out: A.Aliir (knee), H.Marsh
Emergencies: H.Marsh, T.Nankervis, H.Cunningham

WESTERN BULLDOGS
No changes
Emergencies: M.Suckling, T.Campbell, L.Jong

How they stack up in experience