Adam Cooney expects Saturday’s match against Sydney to provide a great learning opportunity for his younger teammates.

The Swans have played in the finals in each of the last six seasons led by a strong on-ball division that includes Josh Kennedy, Kieren Jack, Dan Hannebery and Luke Parker.

“It will be great for our midfield group – they’re (Sydney) one of the hardest midfield groups in the AFL, they run both ways, so we’ll certainly have to be on our game,” Cooney said.

“It will be great for our young midfield to learn off hardened midfielders, they’re in great form too Sydney, so it will be a great challenge.”

The Bombers will also have to nullify the influence of Lance Franklin.

The key forward averages close to five goals a game against the Dons throughout his career.

But Cooney has a unique idea to quell Franklin’s goal scoring ability. 

“We’re going to play all six of our backs on him this week and hope for the best,” he joked. 

“He’s obviously their main forward target – they’ve kicked it to him about 30 or 40 times more than any other player.

“He’s obviously a massive focal point for them down there so whoever has got the job on him, good luck."

The Bombers will be without Mathew Stokes who will miss the next three matches with a hamstring injury sustained against Carlton. 

Stokes has been averaging 19 possessions and one goal per game.

“Stokesy has been great since he came in,” Cooney said. 

“I think he did his ‘hammy’ pretty early in the piece, so I don’t know how he was able to run out the game with a ‘hammy’, but credit to him.

“That gives another opportunity for one of the guys to come in and step up.”