AFL finals: Sydney Swans name Dane Rampe as stand-in captain for preliminary final clash against Fremantle

Sydney have turned to their oldest player to lead the side into battle for Friday night’s preliminary final showdown against Fremantle, with Dane Rampe named stand-in skipper.

The Swans had faced a difficult leadership call in the wake of captain Callum Mills’ knee injury in the qualifying final, with vice-captain Isaac Heeney among the five players suspended following the Pullman Hotel incident last month.

The likes of James Rowbottom and Tom Papley were in the mix before Sydney ultimately decided on Rampe, the 36-year-old defender who was the club’s co-captain between 2019 and 2023.

The call to turn to the 288-gamer was made by Mills, coach Dean Cox, and the club’s leaders.

“Dane has always been an exceptionally tough footballer, and he continues to show remarkable leadership qualities, which we see on a daily basis inside the four walls,” Cox said.

“As devastating as it is to lose Millsy so late in the season, we feel Ramps has the perfect characteristics and experience to lead this team for the rest of this season.

Rampe is looking to secure what would be his fifth grand final appearance with a win over the Dockers, but he is yet to taste success on the final day of the season.

The 2016 All-Australian is one of just two players who are still with the Swans or Dockers following the clubs’ most recent meeting in a preliminary final in 2013, alongside Rowbottom.