Callum Sinclair is finding form for Sydney as injured tall teammates fall by the wayside
IN his six years in the AFL Callum Sinclair has never been as needed as much as the Swans rely on him now. And the big man is determined not to let his side down.
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IN his six years in the AFL Callum Sinclair has never been as needed by the Swans as much as now.
Sam Reid’s quad tendon injury comes on top of Kurt Tippett’s shock off-season retirement and Sam Naismith’s season-ending ACL injury.
Sydney’s stocks of tall players has never been so thin. The inexperienced Darcy Cameron (204cm) the only player other than Sinclair over 200cm and healthy.
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Cameron is a chance to make his debut against the Western Bulldogs on Saturday at Etihad Stadium but the lion’s share of responsibility will sit on Sinclair’s shoulders.
“It’s probably something I’ve needed in my footy,” Sinclair told The Daily Telegraph.
“There are tough circumstances at the club with Sam and Tippo retiring. It’s a role I have to get done for the team. I have got some pretty good support around me, our midfield are pretty handy, they can make me look good and if I make a fool of myself those boys can clean it up and give me a pat on the back for it.”
With Josh Kennedy, Luke Parker and Dan Hannebery at his feet Sinclair has first-class help but they are little help to him when the ball is in the air and he’s going up against players like Nic Naitanui, who is 15kg heavier and can still jump higher than most in the league.
“It’s definitely challenging coming up against some pretty big boys,” Sinclair said.
“I’m enjoying the responsibility and the role, it’s also good fun running around the ground getting a few kicks as well. Over the years I’ve played on most guys now.”
While Naitanui had the better of him in the opening round Sinclair hit back against the Giants, winning the hit outs 45-23 against Rory Lobb and Jonathon Patton. He also looked much stronger in the marking contests, taking three inside forward 50 and converting all of them.
“Marking is something I’ve been a bit inconsistent with,” Sinclair said.
“I’m practising marking a lot more and I’m trying to make it my main strength. I’ve been patchy at times but the Giants game was a step in the right direction. In fairness Lobb going down early probably helped me a little bit, every week is a different challenge for me. It was important we got some momentum back after the loss to Port.”
Sinclair came to the Swans in a straight swap for Lewis Jetta at the end of the 2015 season, both have had their challenges with the big man playing 38 games in red and white and Jetta playing just 30.
Swans football manager Tom Harley said Sinclair rising to the challenge was something often seen among footballers.
“It’s amazing how players respond when they are one-out in a job,” Harley said.
“Some players enjoy that responsibility. Callum has had three games with some pretty good form. The fact he can go forward and hit a target is pretty good for us. They were the things we saw when we were scouting him at West Coast. He’s an important player and a popular team mate as well.”