For Swans supporters, there is some positive news regarding their three star players after their brief Premiership lock-up.
Before stepping up for the finals, Sydney will take a few days off and use the much-needed bye-round to heal a few of their players in preparation for their title challenge.
With a five-goal victory over Adelaide at the SCG, Sydney wrapped up the minor premiership and received a much-needed boost from important forwards Logan McDonald and Joel Amartey.
With Isaac Heeney’s late withdrawal and Cameron Warner’s persistent injury concerns, many questioned the decision to name stars. However, coach John Longmire is adamant about maintaining continuity with his players.
After the game, Longmire revealed, “He’s got a bit of a stiff ankle that he manages all the time.”
“At the beginning of the week, my initial plan was to play him primarily forward for 80 minutes.
“You cannot rest everyone on bulk as some have suggested; instead, you must be careful of striving to achieve the proper balance. That simply isn’t feasible for the bye next week.”
“You must give your players some game time. He’s been working hard, but he’s also in great shape and trains a lot.”
We made a call to remove him because, despite our best efforts to keep him out of the activity, he was unable to resist getting involved. He ought to be alright.
But Chad Warner did return to action after a short hiatus due to a calf issue.
With 22 disposals and a goal in the victory, the All-Australian hopeful wrapped out the season well. Longmire emphasized the value of the team’s fitness management strategy.
He was eager to participate (last week), but we gave him the week off. You have to let your players play. It was, in my opinion, beneficial for him. It gave him an extra week to move past things, and he emerged as a brand-new player,” the Swans coach observed.
Tom Papley (ankle) and Justin McInerney (knee), two injured players who are vital to the team’s future, should surprise Swans supporters by joining the team again in September.
Sydney, Australia – May 01: Tom Paperly of the Swans displays his feelings during the Sydney Swans vs. Geelong Cats AFL round seven match at Sydney Cricket Ground on May 01, 2021. (Image courtesy of Cameron Spencer/Getty Images))
“We’ll see how they go, they’ve still got a couple of weeks.”
“They’ve completed training at different levels; McInerney has actually completed quite a bit. Paps (Papley) is going to step it up this week after having done a little.”
“We’re hopeful that they’ll be available for that first week (of finals).”
In that home qualifier, the Swans may still play Port Adelaide, Geelong, or GWS. The three Sunday Round 24 matches have major implications for the top eight in September.
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