Sydney have regained Dan Hannebery for their pivotal AFL clash with Melbourne, who dropped veteran Bernie Vince for the second time this season.

The fourth-placed Demons also lost Joel Smith to a broken collarbone and replaced the pair with Cam Pedersen and Jayden Hunt.

The Swans, who are eighth, dropped Daniel Robinson to make way for Hannebery, who returns from a calf injury for the Sunday encounter, which has significant implications for the top-four aspirations of both sides.