SYDNEY Swans defender Michael Talia could miss up to three months of football after suffering a foot injury in Saturday night's 80-point win over Collingwood at the SCG.
On the same night that Magpies' star Dane Swan went down with a fractured foot and serious ligament damage that has all but ended his year, Talia is set for an extended stint on the sidelines, although he is expected to play again this year.
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The former Western Bulldog came from the ground in pain during the last quarter of his first game for the Swans and general manager of football Tom Harley told the club's website results of scans were not positive for the 23-year-old.
"Michael suffered quite a serious foot injury to his Lisfranc ligament – they call it the ACL of the foot," Harley said.
"He's suffered a partial tear in that and also some bone displacement in his foot.
"He'll be out for eight weeks and potentially up to 12, so it's disappointing news for Mick.
"He played really well and has settled into the club really well.
"I'm sure that apart from the support we will put around Mick to help him through this, he will rehab as aggressively as he can to hopefully have an impact in the back half of the season."
Veteran Ted Richards could be an option to replace Talia after he got through a NEAFL practice match on Saturday, his first game of the season.
In better news for the Swans, Harley said that Dan Hannebery (concussion) and Lance Franklin (shoulder) should be fit to take on Carlton this Sunday at Etihad Stadium.
