Melbourne's dwindling forward stocks have left Sydney with a selection quandary heading into the crucial clash at the MCG.
In a match pitting the competition's two in-form sides, the Swans are aiming to play the role of party pooper in the Demons' only Friday night fixture of the year.
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Their hopes rose on Wednesday after the Demons confirmed forward trio Jeff Garlett, Jack Watts and Jesse Hogan would all miss the game.
The Swans will be bolstered by the return of Zak Jones after serving a one-week ban but it remains unclear at whose expense it will be.
![Return: Zak Jones is back for the Swans after a one-week ban.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170630103755im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/e/e/z/i/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gx0bfp.png/1498687977257.jpg)
The absence of Watts and Hogan means tall defender Lewis Melican is in danger of being omitted for team balance for the second time in three weeks.
Melican has impressed in his debut season in the seniors but is at risk if the Swans opt for a quicker team against the high-scoring and fleet-footed Demons.
Also vulnerable are utility Dean Towers, whose form has been patchy, and first-season Swan Ollie Florent, who would be unlucky after a polished return last week.
It's uncertain whether Swans veteran Jarrad McVeigh will return, coach John Longmire said, while defender Aliir Aliir will return from injury, most likely in the reserves.
The Swans have been pushed to the limit in the past fortnight and are confident they have the steel to win a third time.
While Greater Western Sydney remain a firm flag favourite, the Demons and Swans are mounting their challenges, though in Sydney's case it is from well back in the field.
Sydney and Melbourne have been first and second on the form ladder since round seven. The Swans are top for contested possession differential, marks inside 50, percentage of scores from their forward 50 entries and scores from clearances, while the Dees are the heaviest scoring team and lead in points from turnovers.
"We seem to have played teams in the best possible form over the last three or four weeks," Swans coach John Longmire said.
"We're hitting teams in red hot form. That's been a real test for us to be able to play well against teams in form.
"They're in absolutely red hot form and all their stats indicate they're playing a really strong brand of football."
The Demons, which will make at least two changes this week, will be without their three leading goalkickers from last year.
Garlett was limited to running laps at training on Wednesday while Watts, also nursing a hamstring strain, is unable to run at full speed. Hogan remains sidelined after having surgery last month to treat testicular cancer.
"He's getting very close and he's getting very eager to start playing soon," Demons coach Simon Goodwin said of Hogan.
"He's got a few big sessions to come over the next six to seven days. He's tracking along really well and we're encouraged by how he's progressing."
After a decade in the doldrums, the Demons are the talk of the competition after their drought-breaking win in Perth.
"I've always said expectation for this club is a good thing," Goodwin said. "We haven't had much exp for a long, long time."
"We're still a developing footy club and we need to continue to improve but there is a belief now. Dealing with expectation is something you have to go through as a footy club. I think our players welcome it, it's a great position for this footy club to be in."