Swans players on the mend
the latest injury list shows most players will play during the pre-season series...
The Swans are expected to have nearly a full list to choose from for the first round of the AFL home and away season.
Senior coach John Longmire said at this stage of he hoped that all players, apart from Craig Bolton (Achilles) and Campbell Heath (knee) would play at least one pre-season game before the Swans take on Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday March 27.
The latest injury list released by the Swans medical department shows players who have been in rehabilitation, such as Daniel Bradshaw and Shane Mumford, are likely to play during the pre-season series, either in the NAB Cup or Challenge games.
The Swans play the Greater Western Sydney Giants and the Gold Coast Suns on February 19 at Blacktown Olympic Park in the first week of the NAB Cup.
A number of players who have had post-season surgery or been in rehab - such as Mumford, Bradshaw, Tadhg Kennelly, Lewis Roberts-Thomson, Nick Smith and Sam Reid - won’t be available to play on February 19 but will return progressively.
Ruckman Mumford, who injured his posterior cruciate ligament in the semi-final against the Western Bulldogs last September and then needed surgery, will join in full training next week and is expected to play in week three of the pre-season game series.
Bradshaw, who took nine marks in the semi against the Western Bulldogs, is also expected to return to the playing field in the first weekend of March, as is talented youngster Nick Smith.
Reid, who made an impressive debut in the round 22 game against Brisbane last year, should be available in week two or three of the pre-season series, either on the weekend of February 26 or March 5.
Kennelly, who injured his knee in Ireland during the off-season, is likely to fit in just one practice game before the season proper begins, and that is also the case for Roberts-Thomson.
Roberts-Thomson, who was one of the Swans most consistent players till he was injured late in 2010, is recovering from thigh Surgery.
Campbell Heath was back at the Club yesterday, just a day after having LARS surgery on his ruptured ACL, and should only miss 12 to 16 weeks of football if all goes to plan.
Craig Bolton, who recently relinquished the co-captaincy, is in doubt until the early part of the season with a chronic Achilles problem.
Ruckman Mark Seaby, who missed most of 2010 with a broken foot, has been training strongly and is itching to make his comeback.