The fairytale AFL comeback of Sydney midfielder Gary Rohan is on hold, with the speedster now in search of form and fitness in the reserves.
Rohan played four AFL games after making an earlier-than-expected return from a horrific leg break he suffered in round four last year.
But having struggled to train this week due to a calf issue, Swans coach John Longmire opted not to risk him in Saturday night’s sudden-death semi-final against Carlton at ANZ Stadium.
Longmire still expected the 22-year-old to be fit for Sunday’s NEAFL eastern conference grand final in Canberra.
“Gary Rohan we will still look to play in our reserves and we’re hopeful he’s able to play in that and run around and enjoy that and get a bit of good game time under his belt,” Longmire said on Thursday.
“He’s a little bit sore today in his calf but he should be right by Sunday and hopefully he’ll have a good run around in our twos.”
Rohan didn’t train on Tuesday and was then unable to reach his trademark pace while attempting some sprints at the SCG on Thursday under the supervision of club medical staff.
In better news for the reigning premiers, who will be without inspirational veteran Adam Goodes for the rest of the season, co-captain Jarrad McVeigh looks set to take on the Blues.
McVeigh carried a calf injury into last Friday night’s qualifying final against Hawthorn and then injured his knee in the final stages of the 54-point loss.
But Longmire had no doubts McVeigh would be right to take his place in the selected side at ANZ Stadium.
“He pulled up sore from the game immediately afterwards, but he felt OK yesterday and he felt even better today when I spoke to him,” he said.
“That’s the reality of playing at this time of the year. There’s very few players that are going into games at 100 per cent.
“That’s the same at every team. We were the same last year – it’s just what it is at this time of year.”
The forgotten man of the Swans’ well-stocked injury stocks Lewis Roberts-Thomson (knee) is set to play his first game in the reserves since injuring his knee in round four.
“He’s actually trained pretty well in the last couple of weeks,” Longmire said.
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