Sydney are assured recruit Taylor Adams will likely be match-fit for an opening-round debut after sustaining a knee damage in the course of the Swans’ 25-point pre-season loss to Brisbane.
Adams had impressed in his first hit-out within the pink and white on Thursday, earlier than a sort out from Brisbane’s Cam Rayner despatched him to floor within the third quarter at Blacktown International Sportspark.
The former Collingwood participant instantly grabbed his left knee and was dominated out of the remainder of the AFL group sequence match with a light medial ligament pressure.
The Swans went on to endure an 8.8 (56) to 12.9 (81) loss to the Lions of their ultimate gown rehearsal earlier than the season opener.
Sydney assistant coach Jarrad McVeigh was optimistic Adams wouldn’t be out of motion.
“He got a knock to his knee so we played that conservatively,” McVeigh mentioned after the sport.
“He’s still clearly a chance for next week.”
Already pushed again as a result of sweltering climate circumstances, the match was delayed one other half-hour after the western Sydney venue, maybe taking a leaf out of the Gabba’s guide, was plunged into darkness by an influence outage.
The Lions confirmed no indicators of a hangover from final yr’s grand ultimate loss to Collingwood.
With the Lions close to full power, it was Brisbane’s common stars – Dayne Zorko (two objectives, 20 disposals), Lachie Neale (22 disposals, eight clearances), Keidean Coleman (19 disposals) and Hugh McCluggage (31) – who fired the guests to dominance.
A scare ran by way of the Lions camp when Neale, in his first hit-out following low season groin surgical procedure, appeared in ache after younger Swan Angus Sheldrick blew into the Brownlow Medallist’s shoulder within the second time period.
Neale nursed the damage and was capable of play the remainder of the sport.
Zorko stole the present early. The veteran midfielder, coming into his thirteenth season nonetheless chasing an elusive premiership, flashed the identical grit as his 23-year-old debutant self with an aesthetic objective within the opening 30 seconds.
Brisbane had no scarcity of firepower with eight totally different goalkickers, as Lincoln McCarthy kicked three objectives and Eric Hipwood two.
Though all eyes have been on Adams in his unofficial Swans debut, it was former Demon James Jordon who performed the very best out of the brand new recruits.
The 22-year-old had 31 disposals and 4 clearances, numbers rivalling these of powerhouse midfielder Errol Gulden (24 disposals, two clearances, one objective).
Earlier, Adams confirmed his class and racked up 15 touches and 7 clearances earlier than he was injured.
Adams’ former Collingwood teammate Brodie Grundy (27 hitouts) once more starred within the ruck.
John Longmire’s males have been with out star midfielder Luke Parker after the previous skipper broke his arm over the last quarter of their follow match towards GWS.
The 2016 All-Australian joins captain Callum Mills on the sidelines for the opening-round conflict with Melbourne on the SCG on March 7 and can meet specialists once more on Friday to find out a return-to-play timeline.
Tom Papley and Chad Warner (rested) have been additionally on the sidelines with defender Jake Lloyd (hip soreness).
Lions younger gun Devon Robertson may make a return when Brisbane host Carlton on March 8 after overcoming a wrist damage, whereas Tom Doedee stays out of motion with an ACL damage.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
