AFL 2025: Sydney name two debutants ahead of Friday night’s blockbuster with Hawthorn

Sydney will blood two debutants in the blockbuster against Hawthorn – an ex-Saint and a small forward who has drawn comparisons to Tom Papley.

Sydney will uncover two debutants in Friday night’s highly anticipated Opening Round clash with Hawthorn.

The Swans will hand a club debut to Ben Paton and an AFL debut to Tom Hanily.

Paton crossed to the Swans after playing 70 games at St Kilda, while Hanily was taken in last year’s mid-season draft.

Hanily has drawn similarities to Sydney livewire Tom Papley for his smarts, speed and execution in front of goal.

He said the news of making his debut was “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.”

Tom Hanily gets smothered after the group was told of his debut. Photo by Phil Hillyard

Paton, meanwhile, is looking forward to playing in front of a packed SCG on Friday night.

“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.

“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.”

An injury to Erroll Gulden has made way for at least one of the debutants, while Papley is reported to be under an injury cloud.

Despite the absence of one of the game’s best players in Gulden, Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell is expecting a hardworking Swans outfit on Friday.

“I think every team is a bit of an unknown, there is always a bit of change,” he said.

“Obviously, there’s been a coaching handover, but Coxy has been there a long time.

“I worked with Coxy for a year over in the west and he’s a really professional operator.

“I think we all saw their 2km repeat and all thought ‘OK, they’re going to be a hardworking team’.

“Sydney have always been like that, what’s different we will have a better grip on that in a month’s time.”

Originally published as AFL 2025: Sydney name two debutants ahead of Friday night’s blockbuster with Hawthorn