Swans on defensive with loss of Shaw

Sydney has lost defender Rhyce Shaw for the clash with North Melbourne in Hobart. Picture: Tim Hunter. Source: The Daily Telegraph

THE loss of Rhyce Shaw to an abdominal strain will put added pressure on the Swans' defence, which is set for its biggest test so far this season against North Melbourne in Hobart tomorrow.

Tony Armstrong will replace Shaw in a back six already missing premiership player Alex Johnson and will have their hands full with the Kangaroos pairing of Drew Petrie and Lindsay Thomas.

Thomas is the surprise leader in the Coleman Medal with nine goals from two matches, including five last week against Geelong.

Adding to the Swans defensive concerns is the limited pre-seasons of Marty Mattner (hip) and Nick Smith (knee) who both had operations.

Veteran Mattner is confident the Swans have the depth and versatility to cope.

"A.J. (Alex Johnson) has been a big loss, but L.R.T. (Lewis Roberts-Thomson) has come back and filled that spot well and we've been lucky to have L.R.T. in the team. He can go forward and back or in the ruck," Mattner said.

"We've had a few injuries throughout the pre-season and the back six hasn't really played together, but I think we're starting to jell and get some good results."

While the Swans have made the perfect start to the season with wins over the Giants and the Suns, the Kangaroos are yet to open their account after narrow losses to Collingwood and Geelong.

Meanwhile, the Giants have made one change to the team that lost by 56 points to Port Adelaide. Sam Reid comes into the side to take on St Kilda tomorrow in Canberra for the injured Rhys Palmer (calf).

Both teams are looking to open their accounts for season 2013.

The Saints have only ever played once in the nation's capital, losing to North Melbourne in round eight 2001 by 49 points.

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