Swans sweat on Tippett and Franklin ahead of Power clash
A bump and a sore knee leave the Swans sweating on heavyweight duo
Sydney Swans coach John Longmire is hopeful both Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippett will not be missing for next Saturday's crunch clash with ladder leaders Port Adelaide.
Franklin bumped Clay Cameron after a clearance from the Suns defender in an incident eerily similar to his clash with current teammate Nick Malceski when representing Hawthorn.
Last year's incident kept Franklin out of the qualifying final in 2013 but Longmire thought there was nothing in the clash.
Tippett's predicament seemed potentially more serious when he was withdrawn after the Swans' physio massaged his left knee on the sidelines during the third quarter.
With Tippett missing the finals last season and the start of this campaign due to tendinitis in the knee, Swans fans would have feared the worst, but Longmire is hopeful the injury is not serious.
"Structurally, the doctor said it was okay," Longmire said.
"It was obviously sore enough to sub him so I'm not sure.
"It's not connected (to the tendinitis). It's a different thing."
If either of the two star forwards are missing, Longmire will be pleased with Sam Reid's return to form against the Suns.
Goalless in his past three matches, Reid booted three goals in the third quarter to help the Swans kick clear of their opponents.
"Sam's a pretty versatile player for us - he can play in a number of positions," Longmire said.
"He's held himself well in (the ruck). He took a few contested marks and dropped one, so he should have ended with four.
"He played well at the back then as we saw he can go a bit deeper. He's a disciplined player but also extremely flexible and important.
"It's important to have a range of different options when you've got the ball. The forward work was pretty good and the speed in the front half.
"It allows Kieren Jack and Jarrad McVeigh and those blokes to rotate through and (give us) a real quality of depth to our midfield."
Another option, if needed, could be Mike Pyke who came through a reserve outing unscathed after returning from a hamstring injury.
"Pykey played in the reserves and got through pretty well," Longmire said.
"I think he went okay - he played 90 minutes, which is what we wanted."
Ben McGlynn, who ended the match with 22 possessions despite having half an eye on Gary Ablett, was kept off the field as a precaution in the final stages after copping a knee to the head from Greg Broughton, but Longmire said he was fine after the match.
Ahead of next week's massive clash against Port Adelaide, the Swans' coach was quick to talk up the Power.
"Clearly (Port Adelaide) are the form team in the competition," he said.
"They're two games clear of the competition. We'll go in full of confidence but knowing we have to be at our best to beat them.
"We knew it would be a bit of a challenge (against the Suns) and they kept working to the end of the game. It wasn't an easy one.
"To beat a team who has won the same games as you, virtually at full strength (is) a very good win."
Gemma Bastiani delves into stars of the 2024 Telstra AFLW Draft
10:57
The most spectacular marks of 2024
Relive the best marks of the 2024 Toyota AFL Premiership season
01:21
Why McDonald could become AFLW's best key forward
Gemma Bastiani delves into stars of the 2024 Telstra AFLW Draft
00:15
Opening Round QLD | March 6-9
Be part of AFL Opening Round to kick-off the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season in QLD. March 6-9. Brisbane Lions host Geelong at the GABBA and Gold Coast SUNS take on Essendon at People First Stadium.