Swans assistant coach John Longmire says forgotten forward Nick Davis was in contention for a recall to the senior side to replace suspended star Barry Hall, helping the club’s chances of bringing down the competition’s best team.
However fans will have to wait until selection before learning if the man who killed the Cats’ 2005 premiership hopes has earned a recall.
“He’s in line for a call up, he’s one that's certainly being considered,” Longmire told afl.com.au.
“We’ve obviously got a forced change to make and he’s certainly one in the mix.”
Davis has been in good form for the Swans’ reserve grade side that plays in the AFL Canberra competition.
He kicked eight goals in the reserves’ come-from-behind win at the weekend after booting five the week earlier.
However Davis wasn’t dropped just to rediscover his goalkicking form, with the Swans hoping the match-winner has also been able to improve the defensive aspect of his game.
“We’ve been keen for him to do other things than just kick goals,” Longmire said.
“We’re hoping that if he gets a recall into the seniors he’ll be able to do that.
“Obviously playing forward is not just about kicking goals, there’s a lot of other things involved and Nick’s been working on that".
Regardless of who comes into the side to cover Hall’s loss, the Swans can take a positive from his absence this week, namely that they have experience against the Cats without their star goalkicker.
Geelong beat Paul Roos’ side by 18 points at Skilled Stadium last year, and Hall was missing on that occasion.
The Cats led by seven goals at the main break before the Swans got back to within 11 points in the final term, giving Longmire belief his side can upset the unbeaten defending premiers.
“I think if we just play the footy we know we can play [we can win]," said Longmire.
“By maintaining our defensive pressure … our work rate without the ball, I think that we’ve certainly improved that part of our game as well.
“They’re a quality team with a lot of good players but we certainly travel down there in reasonable form as well and it should be a good game.”
