The Gold Coast SUNS have been dealt another bout of bad luck with star midfielder David Swallow set to miss the remainder of the season after re-injuring his right knee.
In just his second game back from the same injury, Swallow suffered another posterior cruciate ligament strain in Saturday night’s 22-point loss to the Western Bulldogs in Cairns.
The club’s medical staff will determine the best course of action for Swallow’s recovery in the coming days, once they have consulted the West Australian’s surgeon.
The 2015 club champion has endured a frustrating season due to injury, given he missed ten weeks after the original injury and will now only register six appearances for the entire season.
Despite being substituted out of the weekend’s game in the opening quarter, key forward Charlie Dixon remains a chance to play against Greater Western Sydney this weekend.
The 24-year-old injured his right ankle in his opening involvement in the game, and after battling through the opening quarter he was unable to continue.
“Charlie hurt his ankle in practically the first contest of the game. He managed to play out the first quarter, but was quite sore and we had to sub him out,” GC SUNS head physiotherapist Adam Russell told SUNS TV.
“Subsequent MRI’s have shown that his ankle isn’t as bad as we first thought. We will do all we can to see if he’s available for this week.
Dixon has been plagued by ankle issues in recent years with the issue rearing its ugly head only a few ago when he was forced out of the game against Carlton after a collision with the Etihad Stadium fence.
After missing last weekend’s game at Cazaly’s Stadium, mature-aged rookie Adam Saad is a chance to return against the Giants on Saturday afternoon.
The rebounding defender suffered a groin injury against North Melbourne, forcing him to forego the trip north. But, after missing just his second game since debuting in round one, Russell is confident the games leading bouncer will return.
“In some good news, Adam Saad has recovered from his groin injury that he got against North Melbourne and will take his place against GWS this weekend,” Russell said.
Defender Seb Tape was another casualty from the weekend’s trip to Cairns with the hard-nosed utility suffering a hamstring strain in the closing stages of the loss. The South Australian is expected to be sidelined for up to a month with the injury.
Optomo Injury Report: Round Sixteen
David Swallow's season is over, but Charlie Dixon remains a chance to play against the GWS Giants.
