Don't miss any of the news involving the Swans as we bring you everything from the newspapers around the country on Tuesday 14th June.
Tippett’s not down and out
Ben Horne
Daily Telegraph, June 14
THE Sydney Swans have breathed a collective sigh of relief, with No. 1 ruckman Kurt Tippett expected to play again this season.
Club insiders were fearing the worst for Tippett after he tore a hamstring tendon in the loss to GWS, but scans have revealed he does not require surgery and may now only miss six weeks.
It’s still a major blow to the Swans top four hopes, after the impact of Tippett’s absence was there for all to see when he was forced from the field against the Giants.
But the fact the star 29-year-old — in the form of his life this year — could be back on deck in time for the run into the finals can only be seen as a positive after the damage initially appeared as though it could be season ending.
Tippett has been underrated by many since moving to the Swans, but many experts are of the firm belief that Sydney’s premiership hopes hinge enormously on his availability.
Talented big man Callum Sinclair is expected to play a greater role in the No. 1 ruck position in Tippett’s absence, while this could be the big break that highly fancied Swans youngster Sam Naismith has been looking for in the top grade.
Currently sitting in third spot on the ladder, the Swans must now grit their teeth and get their hands dirty if they want to stay there as Tippett works hard behind the scenes to rehabilitate the hamstring which was torn to down behind his knee.
After hosting the Melbourne Demons this week at home, the Swans face a difficult stretch against top five sides the Western Bulldogs, Geelong and Hawthorn.
“The scans have confirmed that Kurt Tippett suffered a tear in one of his hamstring tendons that join his knee,” said the Swans in a statement.
“The initial prognosis is that he will miss up to six weeks.”
Swans star sidelined: Hamstrung Tippett hit for six
Andrew Wu
SMH, June 14
Sydney ruckman Kurt Tippett’s 2016 premiership dream is still alive but the in-form big man faces up to six weeks on the sidelines after a torrid derby for the Swans.
The Swans are facing a major test of their depth during the middle of the season with Sam Reid also out injured, while youngster Harry Marsh has been sidelined for this week’s clash with Melbourne. But speedster Gary Rohan has been cleared of hamstring damage and is expected to play.
Scans on Monday confirmed Tippett has torn one of the hamstring tendons that join his knee, but does not require surgery.
Should his recovery go as planned, Tippett will return in round 19 and have five games under his belt leading into the September action.
Swans hit by Tippett injury
Peter Lalor
The Australian, June 14
Sydney had their worst fears confirmed when scans revealed Kurt Tippett has injured a hamstring tendon which the club says will keep him out for up to six weeks.
The ruckman left the ground late in the second quarter of the game against the Giants at Spotless stadium on Sunday.
With Tippett on the pine the Giants kicked six consecutive goals in a spell that announced their bright future and hinted at immediate problems for the Swans. Coach John Longmire moved Lance Franklin to the midfield in the third quarter, Callum Sinclair took over the ruck and in doing so the previously tall forward line was cut down to size.
Tippett had scans yesterday which confirmed a tear in the hamstring.
Divide and conquer
Richard Hinds
Daily Telegraph, June 14
IT is no longer just a sales pitch. Whether it knows it or not, Sydney is a city spoiled for AFL choice.
At the packed Spotless Stadium on Sunday evening the beloved Swanees were mowed down by the irresistible young Giants in a game that provided wonderful entertainment — although no clear-cut indication whether the balance of power has permanently shifted.
The Giants ran in waves on their home turf, but the Swans were fatally wounded. Honours in the Sydney derby are split 1-1 this season with the thought of a September decider now mouth-watering.
But on a rollicking evening punctuated by the instant cult hero Steve Johnson’s final goal and witnessed by a venue record crowd of 21,541, a question lingered.
Was this the first demonstration that AFL mathematics do work and 1 + 1 = 3? Will two Sydney teams lead to a significant surge in interest in the game as the Giants excite, the Swans continue to contend and the intracity rivalry grows?
