Blossoming Sydney Swans defender Lewis Melican says a host of teammates with whom he toughed out session after session of rehabilitation in 2018 are excited by the dawn of a new season.
The hamstring woes which limited Melican to just three AFL matches in 2018 saw the big-framed 22-year-old join names like Callum Mills, Matt Ling and Sam Naismith for countless hours in the gym.
A broken foot last year restricted Mills to just nine senior games, a broken toe meant Ling managed only six outings in the NEAFL, and Naismith missed the entirety of the season after tearing his ACL on the cusp of Round 1.
But not only is Melican now putting the finishing touches on a pre-season campaign full of promise, the Swans’ 2017 Rising Star says Mills, Ling and Naismith are all on the right track themselves.
“Sam Naismith is still recovering from his ACL tear but he’ll be back playing soon,” Melican told Macquarie Sports Radio on Saturday.
“Matt Ling is back running, which is exciting. It’s always good to see him out on the track. He hasn’t really had much of an opportunity yet. He’s an exciting player and I can’t wait to see him out there.
“And Callum Mills is looking really good. He’s looking really fit, he’s been able to do the majority of the pre-season – if not all – and he’s looking to have a really big year.”
Mills has spent the summer months making a seamless switch from defence to the midfield during the pre-season grind.
The 21-year-old has stamped his impact on the AFL as a defender since signing as a draftee ahead of season 2016.
But match simulation and a sprinkling of games have seen him join duo Josh Kennedy and Luke Parker at the heat of the contest during the pre-season.
Whether Mills spends the bulk of his 2019 season on a half-back flank or at the coalface of the contest remains to be seen, but Swans fans will have a better idea after Saturday’s season-opener against the Western Bulldogs at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium.
Melican featured in Sydney’s two JLT Community Series fixtures against GWS and Gold Coast, and he says 2019 is so too shaping as a year of improvement for himself.
“I’ve been pretty good. I had a few surgeries at the end of last year and got everything cleaned up,” Melican said.
“I’ve been a bit delayed in getting back into full training in the pre-season, but since hitting the track I haven’t looked back.”
Melican’s return from injury has seen him cross the white line with three of Sydney’s seven draftees for the Swans’ pre-season hit-outs against GWS and Gold Coast, and forward Nick Blakey and midfielders Justin McInerney and James Rowbottom received nothing but his praise.
“Nick, Justin and James were all solid in our two JLT games, and it’s clear that we have some exciting young players coming through,” Melican said.
“It’ll be interesting to see when they get their chance in the AFL.
“There’s always a good crop coming through, which is exciting for us.”
