Sydney Swans coach Paul Roos says spearhead Barry Hall is unlikely to play in Saturday's AFL clash with Fremantle at Subiaco Oval and has rated fellow forward Michael O'Loughlin at 50-50.

The pair's injury could also see a recall to the side for premiership player Amon Buchanan who had been dropped to the reserves.

Hall was a late withdrawal from Saturday's clash with Carlton due to a niggling groin complaint.

O'Loughlin made his long-awaited return from ankle surgery in the reserves game in which Buchanan starred by kicking five goals.

"Whether Mick (O'Loughlin) plays this week is 50-50 Hally is probably doubtful, he's unlikely to play this week (and) Amon Buchanan played really well in the seconds so he's a chance to play," Sydney coach Paul Roos said.

He said Hall was jogging but still not pain-free, while O'Loughlin's selection for the Subiaco Oval clash would depend on how the club's all-time appearance record holder felt.

"I've spoken to Mick, ideally I'd probably like to give him another week in the seconds, but Mick is pretty honest in terms on how he feels.

"He's done a lot of running, so he's got some really good miles into his legs and he played on the weekend.

"If he puts his hand up we'd seriously consider taking him over."

Midfielder Buchanan was dropped from the senior side following the first-round loss to St Kilda.

"He's fit, he runs really well and it's a big ground over there and he's played well on that ground," Roos said of Buchanan.

Roos said he would continue to persist with most of the youngsters in his team despite some inconsistency.

"We are 2-2 at this stage with a relatively inexperienced side, so it's promising," Roos said.

He credited the younger players with giving the Swans some unpredictability up forward against Carlton in the absence of Hall and O'Loughlin.

The Swans mentor was wary of winless Fremantle despite their flogging by St Kilda last weekend and said the previous weeks form could be irrelevant.

"We just prepare for the best they can dish up," Roos said.

The Sydney coach praised off-season recruit Rhyce Shaw for his "outstanding" form thus far.

"He really turned the game (against Carlton) in our favour after quarter-time, along with a number of other players," Roos said.

"You can see how much he runs and he's quick and he generally distributes the ball really really well and his first four games have been really solid for the club."

While some critics have questioned the form of half forward Ryan O'Keefe, Roos felt the All-Australian representative was outstanding in the second half against Carlton when he played in the midfield.

"I thought certainly his second half was back to some of that really good form he showed last year," Roos said.

"I think what he's been good at is just redefining his role in the absence of Mick (O'Loughlin) and then on the weekend Hally."

With reigning best and fairest Jarrad McVeigh kicking three goals and shackling Carlton superstar Chris Judd, Roos felt the emerging midfielder was building up towards elite status.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP