All signs were positive as Sydney Swans ruckman Sam Naismith made a long-awaited return from injury at Blacktown International Sportspark on Sunday.
The 206-centimetre giant, who ran out for his first match since Sydney’s 2017 semi-final clash with Geelong, gathered seven touches, 26 hit-outs and two goals as the Swans fell to a 32-point loss to the Brisbane Lions.
The 27-year-old tore his ACL less than a month out from Sydney’s season-opening 2018 fixture, but on Sunday he returned in admirable fashion, producing excellent tap work, not shirking away from a single contest and moving freely around the ground in his 60 minutes of game time.
Swans development coach Lloyd Perris was thrilled with Naismith’s comeback game in the 15.13 (103) to 10.11 (71) defeat.
“We’re really, really pleased about Sam’s return. He gave us a lot in the ruck which was really pleasing. His tap work is a big part of what his game is built on and he gave us first use out of the middle,” Perris told Swans Media post-match.
“He was also able to impact around the goal, get forward and kick a couple of goals. We’re absolutely rapt for Sam and now we’ll look to build on that in the coming weeks.
“He was very happy after the game. He said he enjoyed being back out there with his teammates, and he enjoyed the challenge of being up against really good opposition.”
Off-season Sydney recruit Daniel Menzel was also prominent in a performance stamped with four goals from 14 possessions, while midfielder James Rose posted a Swans-high 36 disposals.
Menzel (three matches) and Rose (four) have both got a taste of senior footy this season, and Perris said the talented duo made strong cases for recalls.
“Dan won a lot of his contests which is what we wanted out of him. He either won or halved his contests and he obviously kicked the four goals, which we know he can do, so it was a good step for Dan,” Perris said.
“James battled really hard. Brisbane are a really quality side and we knew we had to get on top in the middle if we were any chance of sticking with them, and James was a big part of that today. His ball use is elite but today he was also really hard around the footy, so that really helped our midfield group get the ball going forward."
The Swans’ captain for the day, young speedster James Bell, also fired in a 29-disposal outing, while first-year Sydney draftee Justin McInerney registered 25 touches and injected a wealth of drive off half-back and up the wing.
Meanwhile, Perris was impressed with the game of fellow first-year Sydney draftee Sam Wicks, who finished with 21 touches and nine tackles in a gutsy on-ball display.
Mid-season recruit Michael Knoll (16 disposals, match-high 39 hit-outs, one goal) carried the Swans’ ruck duties in the opening term, and once Naismith was blooded at the beginning of the second quarter, he pinch-hit in the ruck for the remainder of the match.
QBE Sydney Swans Academy duo Braeden Campbell and Sam Thorne were also among the stand-outs, with Campbell booting two goals from 13 disposals and Thorne tallying 18 touches.
Sydney is now set to meet cross-city rival GWS at Homebush next Saturday morning.
Brisbane Lions 4.2 5.5 10.8 15.13 (103)
Sydney Swans 2.4 6.5 8.9 10.11 (71)
Goals – Sydney: D Menzel 4, B Campbell 2, S Naismith 2, Z Foot, M Knoll
