Sydney’s 11-point loss to the Western Bulldogs on Thursday night has been further soured by news ruckman Tom Hickey will miss an extended period with a knee injury.
Hickey suffered a right knee injury during the third quarter of the match, and was soon substituted out of the game.
John Longmire said after the match the club suspects the ruckman has injured his medial cruciate ligament (MCL), which tends to lead to a 3-4 week absence.
However, the coach wasn’t prepared to speculate any further.
“We’re not sure what the story is… let’s see what it is first,” he told media in his post-match press conference.
Hickey has a history of miraculous recoveries from serious injuries: he missed just one week with a torn posterior cruciate ligament midway through 2021, after being expected to miss up to two months.
The Swans will be hoping for a similar story, having been soundly beaten in the ruck by much-maligned Bulldog Tim English.
Recruit Peter Ladhams is in line to replace Hickey for his first match in red and white when the Swans take on North Melbourne in Round 4.
Tom Hickey has been a revelation in 2021 for the Swans. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
West Coast’s dire run with COVID-19 cases looks set to strike again for their pivotal Western Derby grudge match against Fremantle, with gun duo Luke Shuey and Willie Rioli already ruled out of the match under the AFL’s health and safety protocols.
The Eagles were forced to make a league record 14 changes to their line-up for their Round 2 clash with North Melbourne, with the club forced to turn to top-up players to complete their starting 22.
Alongside captain Shuey and Rioli, backup ruckman Bailey Williams is also in isolation.
Both sides are yet to name their 26-man squads for the Sunday afternoon match, with the AFL permitting the Dockers and Eagles until Saturday evening to determine who is and isn’t available.
A swathe of Eagles are only just coming out of isolation, including star ruckman Nic Naitanui and premiership duo Jack Redden and Tom Barrass.
Rioli was a shining light for the Eagles in a gritty loss to the Kangaroos, kicking four goals in just his second game following a two-year drugs ban.
Meanwhile, Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir will miss the Derby, having been confirmed as a close COVID contact.
Assistant coach Jaymie Graham, who once filled in for Eagles coach Adam Simpson in 2018, will take the reins in his stead, with Longmuir in isolation for the match.
“Our first priority at this stage is the health and wellbeing of Justin and his family,” Dockers football manager Peter Bell said on Thursday.
“We will provide all the necessary support that Justin and his family require.”
Veteran David Mundy will miss a second consecutive week after he and his family caught the virus.
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