Swans defender Ted Richards should be given the green light to play on the weekend after using the extra time to recover from a concussion suffered in the Swans’ win over Port Adelaide.
Richards, knocked out in a tackle that forced him from the ground in the Round 14 clash, failed to make the trip to Brisbane the following week based on doctor’s orders and was given the extra week off to ensure a full recovery.
Pending a trouble-free week at training, General Manager of Football Tom Harley expects the premiership defender to be ready to take on Hawthorn at ANZ Stadium.
“I think Swans fans will be pleased to see Teddy slotting back into the back half against a pretty powerful Hawthorn unit,” Harley said in this week’s HCF Injury Update.
“Teddy trained last Thursday and didn’t feel quite right so he was withdrawn from the 25 going into the Brisbane game.
“He should be okay and should get through.”
Ben McGlynn will return to football via Saturday’s NEAFL curtain-raiser after missing a “prolonged period” due to ongoing injury concerns and after welcoming his first child, Sonny, into the world.
McGlynn’s absence has been felt by all at the Swans and Harley was looking forward to seeing the 150-gamer playing again.
“He has had a rough trot with soft tissue injuries, battling a hamstring then a calf niggle,” Harley said.
“And it probably put things into perspective when he had his baby boy so plenty happening in Benny’s life and he’ll be looking forward to getting back.
“Benny just needs some runs under his belt as we’re certainly a better side with him up and going in it.”
In another boost, Craig Bird made a successful comeback from a shoulder injury in the Swans’ 30-point NEAFL win against the Lions on Saturday and has alongside Isaac Heeney and Brandon Jack staked his claim for a senior recall.
The feel good story of the afternoon was the highly anticipated return of Lloyd Perris who came on after half-time for his first run in more than 12 months, collecting eight disposals in heavily monitored game time.
