Injury update please!

[Sandridge]

I've gone through the season thinking that we're in great shape - in the top 4 and so many players out injured. What will we be like when we get the injured players back?

All of a sudden, we're up to Round 16 and we're losing more to injury than we're getting back.

Can anyone with a bit more medical understanding than me give a realistic appraisal of where our injured players stand?

It seems LRT is out for the season.

Reid's "at least 6 week" sounds like "out for the season" to me.

Goodesy's "six weeks" also sounds ominous.

How close are Rhyce and Jetta to returning?

Considering the injuries to so many top players, I think we've been absolutely sensational this year but the fact that some players don't seem close to returning puts a serious dent in our finals chances.

[Bloodthirsty]

Yeah I've never felt so frustrated. We got Tippett to play alongside our players, not replace them. Winning 3-4 finals matches against the other top 4 teams sporting less key injuries than us is wishful thinking.

[707]

The competition is fierce come finals and usually teams with small injury lists are the ones that get to the last Saturday.

We've had a good previous years but been hit badly this year.
In Defence AJ is probably the biggest blow and that has been magnified by Mattners retirement and Shaws long absence.
In attack Tippett hasn't so far been the topping on the cake because we've lost LRT, Reid and Goodes for long periods.
Midfield has only had Jetta missing recently, although his form was patchy leading up to that.

Reading this mornings injury report, I think we can add LRT to the won't play in 2013 list. Shaw does seem close to resuming but has missed a huge amount of the season and therefore fitness base. Reid becomes problematic now I reckon, but Goodes will appear late in the season, on one leg if necessary!

What the long injury list does is make us extremely vulnerable to further injuries as the critical mass of senior players is right on the cusp at present. We really need to get some back in the next few weeks without losing any. Top four could very easily slip out of our grasp, we may come to rue the draw with Freo and the loss to Port.

[DK_]

The competition is fierce come finals and usually teams with small injury lists are the ones that get to the last Saturday.

Alternatively, you could say the teams which are able to make the most of the players brought into the team will do best. Reference the popular conclusion that our bottom six won us the premiership last year. Jared Crouch is doing a fine job of keeping us in the race in this respect.

However, I agree with your conclusion - we're toeing a very fine line to losing a critical mass of senior players.

[Triple B]

Reference the popular conclusion that our bottom six won us the premiership last year.

Problem is, our bottom six in the GF last year were probably 19, 20 , 21, 22, 23 and 24th best on our list. This year we look to be going into the business end of the season with our bottom six being 25 thru 30, if that.

I still hold hope tho, this club just doesn't roll over and die anymore....

[mcs]

Alternatively, you could say the teams which are able to make the most of the players brought into the team will do best. Reference the popular conclusion that our bottom six won us the premiership last year. Jared Crouch is doing a fine job of keeping us in the race in this respect.

However, I agree with your conclusion - we're toeing a very fine line to losing a critical mass of senior players.

Completely agree with this point. I fear we are one or two players (especially should we lose good quality midfielders) from really struggling and a promising season being completely ruined by injury.

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Problem is, our bottom six in the GF last year were probably 19, 20 , 21, 22, 23 and 24th best on our list. This year we look to be going into the business end of the season with our bottom six being 25 thru 30, if that.

I still hold hope tho, this club just doesn't roll over and die anymore....

That's what I love about our club, we don't ever know when we are beaten anymore. I know its unlikely, but even if not one of our missing stars came back, I'd still give us a genuine chance of winning the flag if we finish top 4. But we are sooo close to having lost a critical mass that we probably can't recover from.

[ernie koala]

So it would seem....

Out for the season : Definitely

1) Alex Johnson (gone)
2) Marty Mattner (gone)
3) Lewis Roberts -Thompson (very nearly gone... medicos don't sound at all confident he'll be back this year)

Out for the season ; Probably

4) Sam Reid (6-8 weeks, means 3 months on the sidelines, returning on the eve of finals....unlikely)
5) Gary Rohan ( Can't see them risking him after so long out...seems to me they are setting him up for next year)

Out for the season : Possibly

6) Adam Goodes (6-8 weeks takes him to the eve of the finals...if all goes well he should play)
7) Ryce Shaw ( 4 months out, needs match and general fitness....and no recurrence!)
8) Lewis Jetta ( After 5 weeks .."injury is 50% better"...doesn't sound to good to me)

Hmm...Agree with others, we'll need a lot of luck injury wise, and every thing to go right for those rehabbing, to have a decent shot at September glory...

There is certainly no margin for error.

[alt_mattr]

I actually don't mind if we don't win a premiership this year. I want to follow a team which has a good shot at the title every year and the injuries are hurting our chances this year, but helping them for next year because the younger players get good game time.

[swanwolf]

I'm unwilling to write off 2013 as a development year and so are the Swans. It may require a bit of luck, all premierships do, but a grand final win with what we have will be one for the ages. Our club, whatever the team's composition, can do this.

We are the Bloods.

[DK_]

That's what I love about our club, we don't ever know when we are beaten anymore. I know its unlikely, but even if not one of our missing stars came back, I'd still give us a genuine chance of winning the flag if we finish top 4. But we are sooo close to having lost a critical mass that we probably can't recover from.

If we can avoid any more injuries, I think we are definitely capable of taking it out. From the team which took apart Adelaide with a near-perfect game of footy, only Goodes is missing, replaced by Tippett. Since then, our youngsters have gained match experience and are starting to have a real influence. Witness BJ's four goal haul and Mitchell's incredible continuing dominance.

I've got faith in Goodes returning. Saying a mere knee injury will keep Goodes out of the finals is like saying a paper cut would have made the Terminator give up on Sarah Connor. In all seriousness, his commitment and professionalism in managing injuries is legendary. If anyone can come back, it's Goodes.

[DK_]

I'm unwilling to write off 2013 as a development year and so are the Swans. It may require a bit of luck, all premierships do, but a grand final win with what we have will be one for the ages. Our club, whatever the team's composition, can do this.

We are the Bloods.

F.. Yeah!!

[wolftone57]

So it would seem....

Out for the season : Definitely

1) Alex Johnson (gone)
2) Marty Mattner (gone)
3) Lewis Roberts -Thompson (very nearly gone... medicos don't sound at all confident he'll be back this year)

Out for the season ; Probably

4) Sam Reid (6-8 weeks, means 3 months on the sidelines, returning on the eve of finals....unlikely)
5) Gary Rohan ( Can't see them risking him after so long out...seems to me they are setting him up for next year)

Out for the season : Possibly

6) Adam Goodes (6-8 weeks takes him to the eve of the finals...if all goes well he should play)
7) Ryce Shaw ( 4 months out, needs match and general fitness....and no recurrence!)
8) Lewis Jetta ( After 5 weeks .."injury is 50% better"...doesn't sound to good to me)

Hmm...Agree with others, we'll need a lot of luck injury wise, and every thing to go right for those rehabbing, to have a decent shot at September glory...

There is certainly no margin for error.

Ernie Rohan plays his first game for the reserves this week. It is week 16 and there are still 7 games after this week to go. Rooster will play 30 mins this week, 60 mins next week and a full game the week after. That still leaves 5 games to get match fit for finals time. I think he will be in the mix in the last 3 weeks at the very least.

Goodes is only 5 weeks not 6-8 look on the Swans website.

Shaw is training now and wants to be back this week but the medicos are probably going to make him wait one more week. He will play reserves, nobody gets an automatic call up now.

Jetts had a scan and there was no damage so he has just got stress soreness. This will fix within a few weeks normally but he has taken a little longer but is quite near probably 2-3 according to the website and Matt Cameron. Remember 8 games still to go.

Reid may make it by finals time maybe not. LRT will not play by the looks of it.

Good things to happen Morto is fit.

Xav Richards is fit

Jesse is in hot form

Membrey is worth a try

Towers is starting to show why he was a no 1 draft pick

The form of the seniors is not too bad, we are not losing too many and there have been some beaut shocks.
Brandon Jack has made the transition really well. Any kid of 19 and a few days that can kick 4 goals in an AFL game is a pretty hot kid and he will only get better.

Lambie is almost there and once he gets the one touch right he will be a star. That run to goal where he lost the bounce but he was never completely out of control is just a start and after BJ got another goal out of it. We need a few weeks of good weather to see just how good.

Luke Parker is starting to show just how brilliant he could be, some of his twists and turns have been sensational in the last few weeks.

Tippett is going mammoth. He is really doing his preseason.

Rampe is really good and so cool

Dre is a very good link man and long goal kick

Hannas, Joey & Kizza continually win ball and deliver

All the younger brigade have been pretty good

There are some older blokes who need to pick up the pace a bit. Reg, Bolts, even Teddy has been a bit scrappy on occasions, Mal (his kicking to advantage on Sunday about 40%), Ryano who gets so much of it and wastes at least 30% of what he gets every week and last week more. I wish he would lift his eyes, Benny so good most of the time but the last few weeks really down and his delivery has been atrocious. He had a similar patch last year.

Yes injuries are going to impact big time and a premiership may be beyond us this year but never say never. These young blokes are very determined and what's more bloody scarily talented. Let's see what transpires.

[Bloodthirsty]

I definitely think that for us to be a rival force in September, Tippett needs a partner-in-crime up forward. On the weekend it just felt like it has since Hall left - one main forward having a crack. I hope the coaches decide that Morton is that partner forward and really get them working well together come finals time, as we can't rely on Reid to be fit. Tippett is awesome but would be even better working in tandem with someone else, and I think that Morton is the best option. This lessens the impact of the loss of Goodes.

Shaw will be back, and the backline will start to look like it should again. Jetta's injury is frustrating but BJ seems to be a quality like-for-like replacement. I wouldn't rule out Rohan as an x-factor come business time. Everitt replaces LRT as our swingman. I guess if all this starts working out and we continue to win big games, then we actually do have genuine depth to forge ahead. As we all know, however, it's a question of whether we can be spared any further injuries from this point.

[ernie koala]

Goodes is only 5 weeks not 6-8 look on the Swans website.

Yes injuries are going to impact big time and a premiership may be beyond us this year but never say never. These young blokes are very determined and what's more bloody scarily talented. Let's see what transpires.

Firstly Wolfie, I never said never...I said we'll need a lot of luck injury wise ie: no new ones of significance. And every thing to go swimmingly with those in rehab....For a shot at September glory.

As for the Swans website...I stopped believing their injury timeframes a long time ago....They are rarely accurate and generally underestimate time out. I'll bet we won't see Goodsey before the Cats game, at the earliest...that's 6 weeks at least.

[The Big Cat]

A couple of plusses to contemplate. If McGlynn had been fit last year he would have been in our GF team. So that's +1. If Rohan had been fit he would have been in our GF team. He should be back so that's +2. If Tippett had been on our list last year he would have been in our GF team so there's +3. If Tom Mitchell had been available and playing like he is now, he would have been in our GF team so there +4. The point I am making is, sure we have a few out, but we have some upside in those that didn't play last year but are NOW IN OUR BEST 22.

[alt_mattr]

I am very glad bolton decided to play on. With all the injuries we need every capable body we can get and having a smart, experienced footballer out there must be doing the new guys a world of good. I think in general we need to acknowledge that our awesome older players are a big reason the new guys are playing so well.

[Ratna]

I think that the injuries that will hurt in the finals are those to the defenders. Our midfield can hold up against anyone, but with the ebbs and flows of the modern game there will be periods when teams like Geelong and Hawthorn get the upper hand. Last year we had the ability to withstand some periods well but IMO with those missing that we will not be able to avoid periods of heavy scoring by good opposition that will hurt in big games. Having said that I love that we are blooding new players and that they are stepping up when given the chance.

[giant]

Love the positive vibes from some on this thread - wish I could share the love. Too many talls, too many defenders, too much trouble.

[Ludwig]

I think that the injuries that will hurt in the finals are those to the defenders. Our midfield can hold up against anyone, but with the ebbs and flows of the modern game there will be periods when teams like Geelong and Hawthorn get the upper hand. Last year we had the ability to withstand some periods well but IMO with those missing that we will not be able to avoid periods of heavy scoring by good opposition that will hurt in big games. Having said that I love that we are blooding new players and that they are stepping up when given the chance.

Definitely agree that this is our big vulnerability. We desperately need Ted, Reg and Dre to stay healthy and be in good form (that means You REG). Even when fit and about they can hardly contain the Geelong and Hawthorn forwards. Tippett is another key, as he gives our forward line structure and we can manage to fill in any empty spaces around him.

On the bright side, our engine room is purring along nicely and has been pretty healthy. It would be nice to have Jetts back, but he's hardly been the force he was last year and BJ is alreadly matching Jetts' productivity. We've been getting by without Rhyce, but i will be good to have him available.

We are still in decent shape for the finals if we can get Goodes back and halt the injury demons from here on, which is a pretty big ask given how things have been going this year. I don't know if we are quite good enough go all the way without AG. He's always been our X-factor and our big game player. I think we are building toward a future where we can be a great team without him, but we are not quite there yet.

[Bloodthirsty]

Definitely agree that this is our big vulnerability. We desperately need Ted, Reg and Dre to stay healthy and be in good form (that means You REG). Even when fit and about they can hardly contain the Geelong and Hawthorn forwards. Tippett is another key, as he gives our forward line structure and we can manage to fill in any empty spaces around him.

On the bright side, our engine room is purring along nicely and has been pretty healthy. It would be nice to have Jetts back, but he's hardly been the force he was last year and BJ is alreadly matching Jetts' productivity. We've been getting by without Rhyce, but i will be good to have him available.

We are still in decent shape for the finals if we can get Goodes back and halt the injury demons from here on, which is a pretty big ask given how things have been going this year. I don't know if we are quite good enough go all the way without AG. He's always been our X-factor and our big game player. I think we are building toward a future where we can be a great team without him, but we are not quite there yet.

Yeah we'll get there. Geelong is pretty good without Ablett.

My concern the last 2-3 years is that once a few of our champions move on, we'd be middle-of-the-table quality for a while, cos you can't replace the guys we're talking about. But the Swans have once again will proved everyone wrong, even their own fans. That's not to say people saying this are being negative - it's just trying to think realistically. Swans will defy this trend for a while to come. I can see us being a top 4 team for another 2-3 years. The question for me though remains whether enough things can go our way in 2013 to go all the way again.

[rojo]

When we hit the finals I think LRT and, if he is not match fit, Goodes, are going to be the ones we miss the most. Hopefully KT can fill the Goodes void somewhat but there is no big body to throw down back to help counter the giant forwards. That is where Everitt and White should be options but they are not. A possible 'wildcard' is Mummy. If he can get back to his very best by the finals he will be a big plus for us. We just have to declare him injury free from now on. I don't dare contemplate Rohan, I would be happy if he was held back until next year, knowing how he plays, but they may have to chain him to the wall in the dungeon to keep him off the field if all goes well with his comeback!