SYDNEY will blood two debutants for its upcoming clash with the reigning premiers Richmond on Sunday, with the Swans set to unveil last year's No.5 draft pick Dylan Stephens for his first senior appearance.
>> Watch Dylan Stephens' draft highlights in the player below
Stephens will make his AFL debut alongside fellow first-year midfielder Chad Warner for the clash at the Gabba, with the club turning to youth after suffering successive disappointing defeats to the Western Bulldogs followed by West Coast.
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"You're so happy for him? Well you'd want to be happy for yourself because you're playing too mate!"
— Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) July 7, 2020
Watch the moment that coach John Longmire told Dylan Stephens and Chad Warner they would be making their debuts on Sunday! #Bloods2020 pic.twitter.com/QXgNmVFgrX
A classy and balanced young midfielder, Stephens was recognised as one of the best onballers in last year's NAB AFL Draft crop when he was recruited to Sydney.
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Warner, a rugged inside midfielder who was later claimed by the Swans with pick No.39 in the same draft, received praise from coach John Longmire on the eve of the season for his tough and uncompromising approach since joining the club.
"It is something that I have dreamed of ever since I was a little kid, since I started playing footy, and now the day has come," Stephens told the club's website.
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"It is an amazing feeling. Things are obviously going to be different to any other debut, which I think is a good thing and creates a bit of variation."