Sydney coach John Longmire rates the trade involving ruckman Callum Sinclair and speedster Lewis Jetta a win for both sides, as the two recruits prepare to face their former AFL clubs for the first time.

Former Eagle Sinclair is expected back for Saturday’s game after missing the loss to Adelaide with a foot infection, while ex-Swans fan favourite Jetta is set to return to the SCG for the first time.

Asked which club got the better of the trade, Longmire said: “I’m pretty sure both of us are pretty happy with how our players are going so far.

“They’ve been terrific for both teams.”

The 200cm Sinclair has already formed a strong ruck tandem with Kurt Tippett.

Longmire said Toby Nankervis did well against Adelaide, but it would be important to regain Sinclair, who has supplemented his ruck work with four goals in three games.

“He gives us some flexibility there and so far for us he’s been pretty good, both in the ruck and also going forward,” Longmire said.

Jetta spent six seasons with the Swans, playing in their 2012 premiership-winning side, before obtaining a move back to his home state.

He was one of Sydney’s quickest players, but Longmire felt the Swans had been able to compensate for the loss.

“We think it’s been okay to this point,” Longmire said.

“We’ve been very competitive in every game we’ve played so that’s ultimately what it’s about.

“But there’s still no denying he was a popular player at our club and he’s been a fantastic clubman for this place so it will be interesting to see how the boys go with him.”

The normally cagey coach did offer up a couple of potential opponents for Jetta.

“If you look at (Jarrad) McVeigh, (Jake) Lloyd, our wingmen type players,” Longmire said.

“We know what he can do at this best. He’s a very good player and we’ve got to make sure he’s not a very good player this week.”

He was hoping Saturday’s game might mark the start of another era of epic encounters between the two clubs.

Longmire was an assistant coach at Sydney when five successive matches between 2005 and 2007, including two grand finals, were settled by four or less points.

“We’d love to be able to have those type of games against quality opposition, that’s what the players on both teams really look forward to,” Longmire said.

The last five clashes between the two clubs have been in Perth, with the Eagles not having played at the SCG since 2010.