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Sydney are hopeful of repatriating key players for this weekend’s derby against GWS as they plot to bounce back from their darkest loss in recent memory.
Close to 1000 games of AFL experience watched on as Geelong handed the Swans a 93-point hammering – the biggest defeat of John Longmire’s 13-year coaching tenure – in the grand final rematch at Kardinia Park last weekend.
Veteran forward Lance Franklin (knee) and important defenders Dane Rampe (neck) and Tom McCartin (concussion) have missed the past two weeks and already one of the youngest lists in the AFL, the Swans cried out for their experience in round six.
But co-captain Callum Mills confirmed the trio are a chance for Saturday’s clash against the Giants, where pride is once again on the line.
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“They’re not ruled out, we’ll see how this weekend goes but we can’t say they’re definitely playing as well,” Mills said.
Paddy McCartin of the Swans receives attention from a trainer. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/AFL Photos/via Getty Images )
“We’ll see how this week pans out and what happens there.”
Ruckman Tom Hickey is in line for his first game of the season after shaking off a calf injury and making his return via the VFL last week but there is still no update on Paddy McCartin, who is recovering from the 10th concussion of his AFL career.
“(Hickey) will put his hand up for selection,” Mills said.
“Paddy’s one of my good mates so my care goes out to Paddy. His health is the main priority at this moment and we’re all behind him.”
The Swans meet a Giants side battling personnel issues of their own, but they could welcome veteran Phil Davis back for his first senior game of the year.
“He put his hand up. He’s, I think he’s still a bit sore, though,” captain Toby Greene said.
“He hasn’t had a whole lot of footy in the last six to eight weeks so it’s sort of a wait and see at training.”
All-Australian defender Sam Taylor (hamstring) and foundation Giant Adam Kennedy (knee) became the latest additions to the GWS casualty ward last weekend, while Callan Ward misses through suspension as the latest victim of the AFL’s tackle crackdown.
“It’s a massive blow, no doubt (Taylor) probably is the best key defender in the competition,” said Greene.
“Adam Kennedy as well has done his ACL, which is super disappointing. Both frustrating injuries and part of footy but it’ll give opportunities to a few others as well this week. We still feel like we’ve got a bloody good team.”
Greene, known for playing a passionate brand of footy, insisted players knew where the line was after the usually scrupulous Ward found himself sanctioned for his sling tackle on Brisbane’s Lachie Neale.
“We all know that if you put yourself in that situation, you’re going to be in trouble,” Greene added.
“Everyone knows what it is and isn’t acceptable. It’s probably changed in the last six weeks but you do know.”
Western Bulldogs star Bailey Smith is poised to return from injury against Hawthorn to offset the loss of fellow midfielder Tom Liberatore through concussion.
Liberatore will miss at least one match after he was concussed in a collision with Fremantle’s Andrew Brayshaw during the Bulldogs’ 49-point win in Perth last week.
Fellow gun Smith looms as a capable replacement, having resumed training with the Dogs’ main group as he nears a comeback from a calf injury that has kept him out of action for two weeks.
Smith was involved in a lengthy discussion with coach Luke Beveridge after Wednesday’s training session.
Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontemelli said his teammate is refreshed after a stint on the sidelines and excited about a possible comeback against the Hawks at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.
“Missing Tom with a concussion is a downer but to bring someone in who is going to be really physical and really want to impose himself on the game pretty quickly is a big positive,” Bontempelli said.
(Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
“He was moving pretty well today so he’ll definitely be right in the frame if things all go well.”
The Bulldogs are hopeful Liberatore will be available to return in the round-eight meeting with GWS in Canberra.
“At this stage I’ve seen him do a few things (at training) and I think that means he’s progressing quite well,” Bontempelli said.
“It takes time to fully assess and get over the (concussion) symptoms but from what I can tell from speaking to him so far, it’s in a pretty good space.
“We’ll let it play out as the days unfold but hopefully get him back as soon as (possible).”
Less than a year after a cancer diagnosis, Bobby Hill could only pinch himself about playing in front of a record Anzac Day crowd at the MCG.
The dynamic small forward has experienced a rollercoaster 12 months, but hearing the roar of 95,179 fans during a classic Collingwood comeback was a definite high. Last May, Hill underwent surgery for testicular cancer and did not play another AFL game for the season.
During last year’s trade period, the 22-year-old got his wish and moved from GWS to the Magpies.
It was Hill’s desire to be closer to family in Melbourne after partner Georgia gave birth to the couple’s son, Bobby Jnr, in December 2021.
Hill would have been forgiven for easing into life at Collingwood given his setbacks, but instead he has played all six games this season and kicked 10 goals.
Like most Magpies players after Tuesday’s epic victory over Essendon, Hill was buzzing from the experience.
“It was very loud out there,” Hill told AAP in the Collingwood rooms. “Such a privilege to play on a day like this, Anzac Day, and it was an unbelievable win as well.
“Coming from the Giants to the Pies, to play in a game like this with where I’ve come from and all the setbacks, I really have just got to pinch myself. Just looking around before the game, I just had soak it all in. What an unbelievable feeling.
“That minute of silence and then the crowd just roaring is something that I’ll remember for the rest of my life and cherish for the rest of my life.”
Exhilarating comebacks have been a trademark of Collingwood since Craig McRae took over as coach ahead of the 2022 season.
Hill said there was a genuine belief the Magpies could win from any position.
“As a group, we just stay positive and focused; everyone’s still smiling even though we’re down,” he said.
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