THE FUTURE of Sydney Swans key forward Henry Playfair will depend largely on what happens at the NAB AFL Draft on Thursday.
While fellow delisted Swan Luke Ablett has nominated for the draft in a bid to continue his AFL career at another club, Playfair is yet to nominate for any of the drafts.
The former Cat has been plagued by a hamstring injury throughout his two years at the Swans, playing just 11 games in his first year and none in 2009.
With the Swans committed to former Lions forward Daniel Bradshaw in the pre-season draft, it appears that Playfair’s best hope of continuing his career lies in the December rookie draft.
Swans coaching co-ordinator John Longmire said the picture would become clearer once the dust had settled after Thursday’s draft.
The Swans have selections No.6, 14, 38, 54, 55, 81 and 90 at the draft, but only the first five are effectively live selections.
Pick 90 will be used to promote rookie Kristin Thornton to the senior list while pick 81 will remain unused to leave a space free for Bradshaw in the pre-season draft.
“We’ve got to sort through with [Playfair] in regards to how he sits with what we get on draft day. We’ve still got to work through that,” Longmire said.
“We’ll know closer to draft day what might be available with those selections.”
Longmire confirmed that the new rules allowing clubs to rookie mature-age, experienced players created more options for the 26-year-old.
“That’s certainly an option. We’ll sit down both during and after the draft and assess our options there,” he said.
Playfair has continued to train with the main group since being delisted earlier in November.
Longmire said he looked to have recovered well from mid-season surgery on his troublesome hamstring.
“Henry’s been doing everything that’s been asked of him so far. He’s been doing everything that all the boys are doing and it’s so far, so good for him,” he said.