Buddy and big guns pumped for Derby
Neil Cordy
Daily Telegraph, February 22
LANCE Franklin will lead a host of big stars having their first competitive hitout this year when the Sydney Swans take on their rivals Greater Western Sydney Giants at Henson Park in Marrickville on Friday night.
Buddy will be joined by Swans skipper Josh Kennedy along with key players Luke Parker, Dane Rampe, Kieren Jack, Sam Reid and Tom Papley.
The Giants have put their best feet forward as well, naming midfield guns Josh Kelly, Dylan Shiel, Steve Coniglio and Callan Ward along with game-changing forwards Jeremy Cameron and Jonathon Patton.
Franklin spent plenty of time in surgery in the off-season with three separate operations on both knees and one ankle.
However, coach John Longmire says there is nothing to worry about with his star forward who has not missed a game in the last two seasons.
“The procedures he’s had were only minor,” Longmire said.
“Modern players are lucky if you get through without some sort of clean up no matter how old you are.
“He’s on a program that best suits him, he’ll get exposed to some footy this week which will be great for him and for our supporters.
“Hopefully he can build on that in the coming weeks.”
Tom punts on Swans career
Neil Cordy
Daily Telegraph, February 22
WHEN Tom McCartin’s name was called at November’s draft he was still a year 11 student and the youngest player in the lottery.
Three months later he’s decided to put his year 12 studies on hold and it’s already paying off. McCartin has been a standout among Sydney’s recruits and has impressed everybody with his footy smarts and work rate.
“He was the youngest kid in the draft last year but you wouldn’t know it the way he’s attacked his pre-season,” Swans coach John Longmire said.
“He’s been fantastic and has had some great players to play on. He’s still only young, he’s only just turned 18 and is still learning the game and we have to be mindful of that. He’s played on some very good players like Dane Rampe who’s been full of praise for the way he attacks it, he goes really hard and his endurance is really high for a big bloke and he’s aggressive.”
The teenager was presented with Lewis Roberts-Thomson’s No. 30 jersey on Monday night. His rapid progress has surprised many, especially after missing the entire 2016 season with a back injury.
“I missed about 15 months,” McCartin said.
“It was the whole pre-season of footy in 2015-16 and the following year which was my bottom age year at the Falcons. It hasn’t been an issue at all this pre-season. I’ve kept on top of it by doing strengthening exercises and that helps.”
Hannebery set to miss the opener
Neil Cordy
Daily Telegraph, February 22
SWANS midfield gun Dan Hannebery is set to miss the historic season-opener against West Coast at Optus Stadium in Perth as he continues to struggle with a calf injury.
The three-time All Australian had recovered from a sore groin and hips he carried through the 2017 but picked up a calf injury before Christmas when he stepped up his running workload. With round one now just over four weeks away and Hannebery is facing a challenge to prove his fitness and John Longmire is in no hurry to push the issue.
“It’s not necessarily about round one for Dan,” Longmire said. “He’ll be touch and go for the start of the season. It’s making sure he gets in the best possible shape to have the best season he can have. If it’s not round one it’s not. It’s about making sure he’s right for most of the season.”
The 26-year-old has been remarkably durable in his nine seasons in the AFL playing 193 games including 21 finals. After playing seven games in his first year while still at school he has averaged 23.25 games per season since, Longmire believes it’s not surprising he is showing some wear and tear.
“That’s part of AFL footy,” Longmire said.
Swans to test out Franklin and Kennedy in Giants trial
Greg Denham
The Australian, February 22
After resting most of their senior players for the AFLX tournament last Saturday, the Swans will turn up the dial this week as Buddy Franklin and captain Josh Kennedy lead a pack of returning Sydney stars.
Coach John Longmire said the star goalkicker and his experienced midfielder would be given some game time against Greater Western Sydney in a practice match tomorrow night in Marrickville in Sydney’s inner west.
Because of the reduced pre-season schedule, both the Swans and Giants jumped at the chance to play each other in a trial game before they start their JLT Community series practice matches next week.
GWS start their JLT campaign against Collingwood in Canberra next Thursday, while Sydney play Brisbane two days later. The two NSW clubs then play each other again on March 9 at Blacktown in their final hitout before the start of the premiership season.
Franklin, who had surgery on both knees and an ankle towards the end of last year, and Kennedy, who had a minor knee operation post-season, trained yesterday and are advanced enough to join teammates in the practice match.
