One rookie-listed Sydney forward from Gippsland named Tom will replace another when Tom Hanily makes his AFL debut in the season opener against Hawthorn.

Former St Kilda defender Ben Paton has also been confirmed for his Swans debut on Friday night at the SCG.

Hanily, 19, was recruited in last year’s mid-season rookie draft with pick No.14.

Sydney veteran Tom Papley, also taken with the 14th pick in the 2015 rookie draft, is sidelined with an ankle injury.

Papley and Hanily played for Gippsland Power, where Hanily wore the No.11 guernsey - which his new teammate wears at the Swans.

“The feeling is just as good as draft night. To have the opportunity to run out at the SCG in front of the Bloods faithful with this bunch of boys is something I’m really looking forward to,” Hanily said.

“In the pre-season I did my quad, so I thought this moment was a bit further away. To be here now is terrific.”

Injuries that year meant Hanily was overlooked in the 2023 national draft and he returned to Inverloch to work on his uncle’s dairy farm.

The Swans apparently were the only club to show interest in him before the mid-season draft.

Paton, 26, played 71 games for the Saints before being delisted, with Sydney recruiting him late last year through the rookie draft.

“It’s a very tight group and to get the support from the boys was really nice, they’ve made me feel so welcome,” Paton said of joining Sydney.

“Playing in front of a full house is always exciting and it will be awesome to do it at the SCG, I’m really looking forward to it.”

The Swans have lost star onballer Errol Gulden with an ankle fracture, while a foot injury has sidelined captain Callum Mills.

Harry Cunningham (foot), Robbie Fox (calf) and Logan McDonald (ankle) are also out, while ruckman Brodie Grundy is in doubt with a knee injury.

The Hawks have confirmed big-name recruits Tom Barrass and Josh Battle will play their first games for the club, but Changkuoth Jiath (hip) has been ruled out.