We bring you all you need to know from the newspapers around the country in the latest Swans in the media.
Great moment as advice hits target
Neil Cordy
Daily Telegraph, June 27
JOHN Longmire hopes a meeting with ice hockey’s The Great One will inspire the Sydney Swans to have a big month in what’s shaping up as a daunting post-bye schedule.
The Swans begin a season-defining stretch against the Western Bulldogs at the SCG on Saturday, before taking on Geelong at Simonds Stadium and Hawthorn back in Sydney.
Ice hockey legend Wayne Gretzky’s visit to Swans training on Friday was a welcome boost for the second-placed Bloods.
“He has enormous presence and certainly made an impression,” Swans coach Longmire told The Daily Telegraph.
“A couple of players came up to me and said how much they enjoyed his talk. One was young and the other old and they both got different messages out of it.
“Wayne has an aura about him and all the players could sense that.”
Gretzky set more than 60 records during a brilliant career in the NHL in North America.
Swans not set on Richards' return
Andrew Wu
SMH, June 27
Sydney defender Ted Richards is no certainty to make a belated return to senior football this week as the Swans begin a crucial three-week stretch that will go a long way to shaping their top-four hopes.
Although Richards remains a key component of Sydney's back six, the club is wary of recalling the veteran too soon. Ordinarily, one game in the reserves would be enough for a player of Richards' importance to earn a recall but his wretched run with injury is not helping.
Richards has been limited to just six games this year due to a calf strain, facial surgery and concussion – the latter forcing him to consider retirement.
"Whether he plays or not we're not sure yet. He got through the game, pulled up well and trained Saturday," Swans coach John Longmire said. "It'll just come down to what we look like during the week and whether or not he needs another game in the twos or comes back in.
"We want to get some continuous footy into him. We'll look at what's in front of us, when's he ready to play, when does it give him the best chance to play really well. If he's ready to go, he'll play. But we've also been happy with how the other guys have filled that job while he's been out injured."
Heath Grundy and Dane Rampe have been in arguably career-best form this year, while youngster Aliir Aliir has shown promise in his first two games. The absence of a star tall forward in the Bulldogs' attack will also lessen the need for the Swans to rush Richards back.
Dependable backman Jeremy Laidler needs to train well this week to show he has overcome a knee issue, while youngster Harry Marsh has already been ruled out.
Ice hockey legend happy to Sherrin his knowledge
Neil Cordy
Daily Telegraph, June 25
HE could control an ice hockey puck better than anyone in history, but when it comes to a Sherrin Wayne Gretzky has no idea.
The ‘Great One’ got some instructions from Swans stars Gary Rohan and Jarrad McVeigh at the SCG, but was a little off direction in shooting for goal.
“The smaller net I’m good at but the bigger ones I’m not,” Gretzky said.
The Swans were keen to hear some of the insights Gretzky had gained over his 20 years in the NHL where he broke an amazing 60 records.
Fellow Canadian and former Swan Mike Pike introduced Gretzky to the players, telling them how his family cried when he left the Edmonton Oilers to play for the Los Angeles Kings in 1988.
Gretzky gave his insights into what he values in leadership.
“First of all you have to walk the walk before you can talk the talk,” Gretzky said.
