Isaac Heeney ruled out as Dogs make call on Marcus Bontempelli

Isaac Heeney has been ruled out of the Swans' game against the Western Bulldogs on Thursday night due to calf tightness in a huge blow to the ladder leaders.

But the Bulldogs have named Marcus Bontempelli for the Marvel Stadium clash despite knee soreness.

Heeney, a three-time All Australian, is set to miss his second game of the season, having already been sidelined for Sydney's clash with Hawthorn in round two due to a hamstring injury.

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The Swans have two superstar midfielders unavailable due to injury or tightness in Heeney and Errol Gulden, who's expected to miss four months because of a shoulder dislocation he suffered in round two.

On a positive note for the Swans, All Australian defender and former co-captain Dane Rampe will return after being managed in round six.

Bontempelli has been named for the Dogs despite suffering a hyperextension to his knee during last Friday night's match against Geelong.

On a miserable night for the Dogs at GMHBA Stadium, they lost Sam Darcy for the season due to an ACL injury, as well as Rory Lobb (hamstring), James O'Donnell (hamstring) and Tom Liberatore (concussion).

Adam Treloar will face the Swans in his first senior game of 2026, a week after finding the ball 41 times in the VFL.

The Swans are sitting in first on the ladder with five wins and one loss, while the Dogs are placed seventh with four wins and two losses.

The Dogs will celebrate the 10th anniversary of their grand final victory over the Swans on Thursday night.

The majority of the Dogs' grand final team will be at Marvel Stadium and a special on-ground ceremony will take place prior to the match.