For the first time in 10 years, Sydney will go in to an AFL game without either Kieren Jack or Jarrad McVeigh.
Jack is set to miss at least two games with a nagging hip issue he has carried through the early rounds of the competition.
McVeigh, who like fellow premiership player Jack stood down form the co-captaincy after last season, hasn’t played yet in 2017 due to a calf issue.
While that is no longer an issue, hamstring tightness he suffered last week will mean McVeigh won’t face Carlton at the MCG on Saturday.
It will be be the first time since round seven of Jack’s debut season in 2007 that both McVeigh and himself have missed the same competition game.
Playing as a forward, former midfielder Jack has struggled for form this season – missing all the pre-season games after hurting his hip.
“It’s come to a stage now where it’s impacting performance,” Swans General Manager – Football Tom Harley said.
“Kieren will need in the vicinity of two to three weeks potentially to get himself right and get the strength back
Half-back McVeigh, Sydney’s longest serving player with 287 games, should be available for the round seven SCG contest against Melbourne.
Harley stressed McVeigh hadn’t suffered any setbacks with his calf and was expected to train fully next week.
“He was a little bit tight late last week in his hamstring but certainly in the area of the calf, where he’s had the challenges, he’s okay,” Harley said.
He reported key defender Heath Grundy would be right to face Carlton despite collecting a nasty bump on his face after a collision with Greater Western Sydney’s Jeremy Cameron last weekend.
“Thankfully it looked a lot worse than what it actually was,” Harley said.
“He had a scan immediately after the game to clear him of any structural damage.
“So other than probably being a bit embarrassed about the photo, he’ll be fine and play this week.”
Ruckman Sam Naismith is out of his brace and would resume running next week after suffering a knee injury two weeks ago.
“His knee is a bit stiff, which is actually a good sign; which means the medial ligament is starting to stick,” Harley said.
“So he’s still a couple of weeks away.”
Eddy Jay
Guest
Yes, it's always a hard task when you start off the season 0–5. The last team to make the finals after such a start to the season was Collingwood in 1959, but they crashed out in the first week of the finals in that year. There's a lot of optimism in the media about the Swans turning their season around, but their stats for this year in all key indicators resembles a bottom team (which is, of course the position they're currently in – 18th). Sydney looked very tired against GWS. Sure, they've played some excellent football over the past five rounds, but it has been in spurts and splutters. Not sure what it is – planets misaligned, poor luck, new captain – maybe Josh Kennedy is trying to be a 'lead by example' captain, whereas maybe the Swans need someone like McVeigh as captain, who enforces on-field discipline, rather than being the major ball-winner and star each week. Sometimes, teams have bad seasons – we'll find out over the next two-three weeks if the season can be retrieved (in whatever way), or whether Sydney can toss away 2017 and start thinking about preparing for the 2018 season. Even if they do make the finals – and a more likely 5–8 position – they'd expend so much energy throughout the rest of the season that they'd be cooked by the time they got to the finals (remember Essendon in 2001, all those many comeback victories during the season – couldn't hang on in the final half against Brisbane in the Grand Final). Although the week off before the finals, and the Western Bulldogs experience in winning from seventh might aid the Swans, it doesn't seem like anything much will be happening for them this year.
Alicesprings
Guest
Reckon the swans will pull it together. The odds are against them making the finals but with returning players and the next 5 games being extremely winnable - they are still a good chance.
Olivia Watts
Roar Guru
I'd say this is good news rather than bad; for the first time this year a wonderful player in Kieran Jack will miss but, given that he has been injured and decidedly underperformed in each of his games, this will be of far more benefit than detriment as a fresh and fit body will replace him. I'm hoping Sam Murray is selected in his place and shines on debut.
Sydneygirl
Guest
I disagree Roger about Aliir. Watched him in the NEAFL and while he was okay, he needs to get his defensive stuff right and tackle when needed.
Birdman
Guest
McVeigh should pull that plug now because he doesn't look like he's got 13 more decent (let alone good) games in him. Has been on the slide for some time now IMHO.
Stewie
Guest
Yeah, Aliir wasn't fully recovered from his preseason injuries. Then Rampe went down and Horse was forced to push him back a few weeks earlier than he'd like. He said on Fox Footy that he was pleased enough with Melican's performance, so Aliir can take another week at lower pressure NEAFL to get his body 100% right
kick to kick
Guest
Don't agree on McVeigh. Ryan OKeef'e's contrubution was at the coal face and once he lost his edge couldn't earn a spot. McVeigh's strength has always been distribution and decision making. That doesn't depart with age in quite the same way. It was notable that the only Sydney player consistently distributing well against GWS was Callum Mills (only Swan on the night with more than 20 posessions and more than 80% disposal efficiency) . And as second year player Mills still makes mistakes and turns it over from time to time. McVeigh is the sort of player who can operate at that kind of level. In 2016 his disposal average was 20.3 and efficiency 77.8%. The Swans need some-one who can do that.
Roger of Sydney
Guest
Keiran Jack is a bit of a love hate discussion, he plays well when the team plays well but does not lift when those around him don't. IMO he is no loss this week. I think dropping Allir against GWS and Cameron was dumb, if he is back and Rampe then the back line will settle. Coach tried every person in every position last week but that just made us worse. Heeney will be better this week as will Papley and others. The Swans are a confidence team and at present they have none, a couple of wins and a different story. Should still make the eight and no team will want to face them in the finals, maybe the grand final though they do seem to stuff that up.
Teo Treloar
Guest
I don't think the club is that sentimental to be honest. They are in the business of winning games of footy, or at least being competitive. They are missing his calm presence down back, he would definitely still have that, but his body is starting to interfere.
Sydneygirl
Guest
I agree with your assessment about the midfield and mistakes being made like bombing the ball to no-one that puts the ball too often into the opposition's hands. Like you I will still be at every Sydney game and hope to see big improvement in effort and disposal over the coming weeks. Some of the young ones are doing okay. It is the experienced players need to lift their work rate.
mdso
Guest
I think the club maybe trying to help him get to 300 games. He is likely to pull the plug on himself.
Teo Treloar
Guest
I'm not so sure still. It is his poise and delivery of the ball by foot, under pressure that the Swans are missing so much. Will have to see how he goes after returning from injury. You could well be right.
Paul D
Roar Guru
I said a few weeks ago the Swans were better off without McVeigh - I still maintain that is the case. Well past his best and unlikely to regain his form. Needs the Ryan O'Keefe treatment this season
Macca
Guest
If they lose to the Blues this week the similarities will be hard to ignore.
Teo Treloar
Guest
I have concerns about Sydney. Apart from a very inexperienced back 6, it is the output from the mid field that is the most concern. They all need to lift by about 25% otherwise the entire team will continue to underperform. Sydney's scoring issues are more about the quality of ball delivery from outside run, which isn't really happening because the inside ball winners aren't doing the job. And when the outside runners do get the ball they bomb it into the 50 without a proper set up for the forwards. Then the sting from rebound 50's! teams are moving it way to easily without being contested for ball use, then the defence is really exposed because the ball moves freely into the opposition 50. The mid field are getting exposed because of a lack of work rate in trying to win the ball. Defensively Marsh got absolutely owned by Cameron last week, Foote made some horrible errors and turnovers that resulted in goals. When Reid moved back it slowed the scoring of GWS but gave the Swans less scoring opportunities. Sydney had zero structure when kicking out of defence. At this stage I dare say Josh Kennedy, Zac Jones or Jake Lloyd would be leading the club champion at the moment...That says a lot. They really need to lift, I'm concerned that they are tired and a bit broken from basically being the best home and away team for several years but being beaten at the last dash.. Maybe they need to feel the sting of bottoming out before they get better..I'm not sure, I'll be at every home game still, but being a very experienced spectator and seeing the consistency in their poor performances is a worry, and something that a Sydney team hasn't done to this extent for decades...
true blue
Guest
Sydney will easily account for Carlton this Saturday and will start their climb up the ladder. I will be interested to see how we go after last Friday night. Hopefully we can stick to our structures for longer than we did two weeks ago against Gold Coast.
true blue
Guest
Sydney will easily account for Carlton this Saturday and will start their climb up the ladder. I will be interested to see how we go after last Friday night. Hopefully we can stick to our structures for longer than we did two weeks ago against Gold Coast.
true blue
Guest
Sydney will easily account for Carlton this Saturday and will start their climb up the ladder. I will be interested to see how we go after last Friday night. Hopefully we can stick to our structures for longer than we did two weeks ago against Gold Coast.
Swannies
Guest
Nope. The Swans are about to hit their straps and charge up the ladder. Their current position is not an accurate reflection of their ability. By June both the Swans and Hawks will be in the eight and normal order restored. Buddy is ready to fire in his quest for another 2 flags.
Chancho
Roar Rookie
Are the 2017 Swans the 2016 Dockers? They seem to be emulating them in a lot of ways