SYDNEY – As the Sydney Swans prepare for their season opener against Carlton, the team is managing the training loads of key players, including star forward Tom Papley. Despite a disrupted pre-season due to a calf issue, the Swans are optimistic that Papley will be fit for the March 5 clash at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
Papley’s summer campaign was interrupted, but the 29-year-old is currently following a modified training program. Swans coach Dean Cox expressed confidence in Papley’s recovery, indicating that the forward is gradually increasing his training intensity.
“At this stage, yes [we’re confident of that],” Cox said. “We’ll want to get some minutes into Tom. One thing most people know is you don’t take injured players in early, so he’s doing some decent kilometres each week and he’ll build back in.”
Pre-Season Preparations and Key Player Management
The Swans are set to face the Western Bulldogs on February 19 and Greater Western Sydney on February 26 in pre-season warm-up matches. These games will be crucial for assessing the readiness of players like Papley, who was limited to 11 games last season due to heel and hamstring issues.
Coach Cox highlighted the importance of managing player workloads during this “awkward period” of pre-season match play. The team is being particularly cautious with captain Callum Mills and vice-captain Isaac Heeney, both of whom participated in significant match simulations last Friday.
“He [Heeney] had a little tight hamstring midway through December, did all his Christmas program and he’s been reluctantly running laps,” Cox explained. “But the thing with him is he’s had a massive couple of years and he came into handball games about 10 days ago and it was like he hadn’t left.”
Injury Concerns and Player Health
Meanwhile, Brodie Grundy and Joel Amartey are undergoing concussion protocols and were unable to train last week. Midfielder Taylor Adams, who returned to the club midweek after a concerning incident, will miss the start of the season due to an Achilles injury.
Adams was knocked unconscious and allegedly assaulted days earlier, but Cox reassured fans of his resilience and determination.
“Taylor’s OK. Obviously on Sunday and Monday (after the incident) he was a little bit worse for wear. His approach through the last year has been as positive as he possibly can be through some trying times,” Cox noted.
Looking Ahead to the Season
The Swans are entering the new season with a cautious optimism, balancing the need for rigorous pre-season preparation with the health and safety of their players. The club’s strategic management of player fitness could prove pivotal as they aim to start the season strong against Carlton.
As the countdown to the season opener continues, all eyes will be on the Swans’ ability to field a fit and competitive team. The club’s approach to managing training loads and player health will be critical in navigating the challenges of the upcoming AFL season.
