Sydney's tall stocks have taken another hit with Swans forward Sam Reid the latest big man to go down following Sydney's defeat to the Gold Coast Suns in Round 6.
The Swans have suffered injuries to several key players in recent weeks, and as well as Reid they will now be without midfielder George Hewett (concussion) as they look to bounce back from two losses in a row when they return to the SCG this Saturday to face Geelong.
Superstar forward Lance Franklin (bone bruising) and ruckman Tom Hickey (knee) were already missing from the team that lost to Gold Coast by 40 points, as well as key defenders Dane Rampe (finger) and Tom McCartin (hamstring).
Reid is set to join his tall teammates on the sidelines and miss "a couple of weeks" after hurting his calf during the loss to the Suns.
The 29-year-old played in the ruck for much of the match against Gold Coast, in the absence of Hickey, picking up 18 hit-outs to go with nine disposals.
Nick Blakey will be monitored during the week for the crucial match against Geelong at the SCG on Saturday night, following a heavy collision in the first quarter against the Suns that left him with a badly corked thigh.
The QBE Sydney Swans Academy product spent about 20 minutes off the field after the clash, returning to play a total of 43 per cent game time but and only picking up another three disposals as his movement was severely restricted.
"He obviously got the cork, he's better today than what he was yesterday," John Longmire said.
"It's a day-by-day thing, we'll see how the week pans out."
The Swans could look to recall Logan McDonald this weekend, after the tall forward was rested with a run in the VFL. McDonald kicked one goal in his half of football and Longmire said he would decide the team selection later this week.
"We thought he could do with less load. So the plan was to do that, just to play him for the first half, which he did. Hopefully he feels well this week," the Sydney coach said.
"We've got to pick out what's best for the team, and what's best for Logan. It's a combination of both."
The Swans have injury concerns at the other end too, after McCartin sat out the Gold Coast match with hamstring tightness and co-captain Rampe missed a second week following surgery on a broken finger.
The key defenders would be the likely match-ups for Geelong's twin towers Tom Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron, and Longmire was hopeful on both defenders returning this week, but noted Rampe's return would be guided by the surgeon.
"Tommy was pretty close last week, so we're hoping if he gets through training this week he'll be right," he said.
"We're not quite sure yet with 'Ramps'.
"He's done it [come back quicker than expected] before, but we'll be absolutely guided by the surgeon, which he hasn't seen yet."
