Kieren Jack is a chance to play this Sunday after he was named in a squad of 25 for the game between the fifth-placed Swans and the 10th-placed Tigers.
Swans coach John Longmire said Jack’s speed would be helpful against the fast-paced Richmond side, but the midfielder still had to jump a few hurdles before Sunday.
“Kieren did some more agility work and ran pretty well earlier this week but he has to get through the training session tomorrow, and even if he gets through the training session he has to pull up really well the next day,’’ Longmire said.Swans coach John Longmire said Jack’s speed would be helpful against the fast-paced Richmond side, but the midfielder still had to jump a few hurdles before Sunday.
“We’ve got our fingers crossed but we really don’t know, and won’t have an idea till Saturday and maybe even Sunday. Richmond are really quick, they have some real speed, so Kieren would be very handy.’’
Longmire said Richmond were a dangerous side, and boasted a range of talented midfielders and forwards.
“They have a very talented midfield, they win the contested ball but run well and get it to (Jack) Riewoldt, but they don’t just have him, they have three or four really good goal kicking options,’’ Longmire said.
“They are the most efficient team in the competition in regards to kicking.’’
The Swans have won just one of their four games at the SCG this season, and Longmire is urging all supporters to get to the ground to back the team.
“It’s critical, there is no better ground in the AFL than the SCG full of Sydney Swans supporters, and we hope to get as many as we can there this Sunday, thousands of the red and white army, and hopefully they are yelling nice and loud to make sure our players get over the line.’’
Swans defender Rhyce Shaw will play his 150th AFL game, while midfielder Craig Bird will bring up his 50th.
Shaw has become an integral part of the Swans team on-and-off the field since he moved to the Club after playing 94 games with Collingwood.
After two injury interrupted seasons, Bird has become a mainstay of the Swans team in 2011, highlighted by his display against the Brisbane Lions last Saturday night.
The full squad for Sunday's game is:
B: T.Richards, L.Roberts-Thomson , A.Johnson
HB: T.Kennelly, H.Grundy, M.Mattner
C: R.Shaw, J.Bolton, N.Smith
HF: B.McGlynn, S.Reid, J.Kennedy
F: J.McVeigh, A.Goodes, R.O'Keefe
Foll: M.Seaby, C.Bird, D.Hannebery
I/C from: T.Dennis-Lane, K.Jack, L.Jetta, L.Johnston, N.Malceski, J.Moore, A.Everitt
In: K.Jack , J.Moore , L.Johnston
