Midfielder David Swallow looks set to play his first game of football in over 12 months with an appearance in the SUNS NEAFL team against Southport on Sunday likely if he successfully completes training this week.
“He’s got through the last couple of weeks really well,” GM – Football Operations, Marcus Ashcroft, told the Optomo Injury Report.
“(If) he gets through training on Thursday then he’ll be available to play in the reserves on Sunday so great news for David and great news for the footy club.”
Meanwhile, fellow West Australian Jaeger O’Meara has opted to undergo arthroscopic surgery on his knee.
O’Meara made his long-awaited return to football in early July but has been sidelined over the last couple of weeks with knee soreness. After extensive medical advice, minor surgery was determined as the best course of action.
“Jaegs had some irritation in his knee. He’s consulted with various medical people within the club and outside the club and it was decided the best course of action was for him to get some surgery on Thursday, which he’ll get down in Melbourne,” Ashcroft said.
“It’s really minor surgery, it’s just an arthroscope, just a minor clean up. Totally unrelated to his patella tendonitis.”
Powerhouse midfielder Jesse Lonergan will also miss the remainder of 2016 with surgery required on an injured shoulder.
“Unfortunately for Jesse, his shoulder did pop out, (and was)really painful on the night,” Ashcroft said.
“(He) didn’t play on the weekend with a view of hopefully being available to play this week but the medical advice is he needs shoulder surgery and he’ll get that done later this week and miss the rest of the year.”
The SUNS battled out Saturday’s game against GWS with Tom Nicholls (knee) and Alex Sexton (corked thigh) hampered by injuries suffered early in the contest.
Both Nicholls and Sexton will miss this Sunday’s clash with Essendon.
“Very courageous by Tommy to play when he hurt his knee early in the game. He won’t play this week,” Ashcroft said.
“Still determining the course of action for Tom, whether it’s surgery or not. He’s consulting with various medical experts over the next few days and a decision will be made either later this week or early next week but he definitely won’t play this weekend.
“(Alex is) another one who played with great courage on the night. Got the knock in the first couple of minutes of the game and soldiered on and played some valuable minutes.
“Pretty severe after the game and really sore still this early in the week. He won’t play this week and will be a test for the following week.”
There is some positive news on the horizon, with Adam Saad, Aaron Hall and Dan Currie set to be available this weekend.
“Saady’s played some good minutes the last two weekends. Played most of the game on the weekend in the reserves team and comes into consideration for senior selection this weekend,” Ashcroft said.
“Hally’s had a couple of weeks out. Again he’ll come into senior consideration this weekend. He’s passed everything he needs to pass on the training track and will be available for selection on Sunday.
“Dan Currie has been out for a long period of time, had some real bad luck. He’s broken two fingers in the same hand if you can believe that so only played two games in 14 weeks but has done enough now. Been given the medical clearance to be available to play this weekend.”
Optomo Injury Update: Round 21
Midfielder David Swallow looks set to play his first game of football in over 12 months.
