Veteran Sydney Swans defender Heath Grundy is expected to soon return to action after lower back tightness saw him miss the club’s opening JLT Community Series fixture on Saturday night.
The 255-game stalwart missed Sydney’s clash with GWS after finishing the final training session of last week with back soreness.
But Swans Head of Football Charlie Gardiner said Grundy would make a quick return.
“Given the time of the season we didn’t think it was worth the risk to play him against GWS, so we’re managing him and expect him to play in the next couple of weeks,” Gardiner said.
Young midfielder Oliver Florent took part in the pre-season match and sprained his foot, and the Swans’ 2018 Rising Star is also expected to spend some time on the sideline.
“Ollie sprained his foot in the game in Blacktown on Saturday, and [although] he was able to play through that game, the [early] prognosis is that he may miss a week or two with that foot injury,” Gardiner said.
As was reported on Monday, up-and-coming Sydney defender Jack Maibaum last week suffered an ACL rupture and is thus set to miss the entirety of the 2019 season.
The 20-year-old signed with the Swans via pick 45 at the 2016 AFL Draft, and he’s since become a key pillar of the club’s NEAFL outfit.
Gardiner said the news on Maibaum’s injury was a big frustration.
“Jack saw the specialist on Monday afternoon and the specialist confirmed it’s an ACL rupture and he’ll be out for the season, which is bitterly disappointing for Jack and the club,” Gardiner said.
As has also been reported in recent weeks, star Sydney forward Lance Franklin and new recruit Daniel Menzel are progressing well in the lead-up to the season after both undergoing groin surgery in December.
Gardiner said Franklin and former Cat Menzel were continuing to build on their workloads.
“Lance is progressing really well in his recovery. He’s joining in on skills sessions now, he’s ramping up his running and he’s ramping up his training loads, including his agility work,” Gardiner said.
“Dan is around the same level. He’s starting to join in on skills sessions and we’re looking forward to seeing both Lance and Dan out there playing soon. It’ll be a case of ‘play when ready’ for both of them.”
Veteran defender Nick Smith is building up his training load as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury, and when he’ll be ready to return to play remains unclear.
Meanwhile, young midfielder Matt Ling remains on the road back from a toe injury.
The 19-year-old is back running and is building up to full training.
