The Sydney Swans have made one change for Saturday night’s clash with Hawthorn at the MCG, with Kurt Tippett set to return to face the reigning premiers.
The 27-year-old, who coincidently played his first game for the season against the Hawks in round eight, comes into the side in place of Brandon Jack, who has been omitted.
Speaking to SwansTV for Centrum Team Selection, John Longmire said Tippett, who missed the last two matches with knee inflammation, had ticked all the boxes at training this week and would be an important inclusion for the Swans on Saturday night.
“He’s an important player for us, and it’s good to get him back in the team,” he said.
“He’s missed a couple of weeks, but he’s done what he’s needed to do over the last week or so and has been out running and has been pulling up really well and that’s a good indicator.
“He did all the training today and got through really well, so he comes into the team.”
Longmire said it was tough to leave Jack out of the side this week, who has shown plenty of promise in just his second season at the club.
The coach implored Jack to continue to work hard and said he had little doubt that the 20-year-old would work his way back into the senior team later this season.
“We just want him to keep working,” Longmire said.
“He hasn’t done much wrong, he just needs to keep working and keep persisting.
“He’s been able to contribute to us in games and is becoming an important player for us.
“He’ll get his chance again, so it’s just a matter of keeping on persisting and he’ll get back in the team.”
While Tippett passed his fitness test this week, Dan Hannebery and Rhyce Shaw will remain on the sidelines with their respective ankle injuries.
Longmire said he expected Shaw to be fit to return next week but said Hannebery’s injury would require more time.
“Shawy did a bit of training today and looked OK, but not quite right for this week but we’re hoping he should be alright for next week,” he said.
“Hanners is still out and probably won’t play against Essendon.
“At this stage we don’t think he will play next week.
“His ankle injury was a lot worse than Shaw’s was originally.”
The Swans, who will be aiming to post their thirteenth consecutive win, will travel to Melbourne tomorrow afternoon ahead of Saturday night’s huge clash with the Hawks.
Longmire described this weekend’s match as a big game for both sides, and said the Swans were looking forward to testing themselves against the in-form Hawks this week.
“Both clubs acknowledge that it’s a big game between two teams who are in reasonable form,” he said.
“It’s something that everyone is looking forward to I’m sure, and certainly our players are looking forward to it.
“Hawthorn has got a number of players back who didn’t play against us last time, so they will be really strong and we’re looking forward to the contest.
“It’s a great venue and I’m sure there will be a big crowd there.”
Sydney Swans v. Hawthorn
MCG
Saturday, July 26, 2014
7.40pm
B J.Laidler, T.Richards, N.Smith
HB N. Malceski, H.Grundy, D.Rampe
C L. Jetta, J.Kennedy, G. Rohan
HF B. McGlynn, L. Franklin, A. Goodes
F S. Reid, K.Tippett, L. Parker
Foll M. Pyke, K. Jack, J. McVeigh
I/C C. Bird, H. Cunningham, J. Lloyd, D. Towers
Emg B. Jack, T. Membrey, T. Nankervis
In: K. Tippett
Out: B. Jack (Omitted)
