AAMI Community Series 2021: GWS Giants defeat Sydney by 28 points
Sydney has ruled out a surprise Lance Franklin comeback in Round 1, but a trio of exciting Swans youngsters could make their debut.
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First-year key forward Logan McDonald is in the frame for a Round 1 debut after Sydney officially ruled superstar Lance Franklin out of its season-opener.
Franklin – who has not played an AFL game since Round 23, 2019 – watched on from the stands during the Swans’ AAMI Community Series loss to Greater Western Sydney on Sunday as he continues his recovery from a calf injury.
Sydney has not put a time frame on the 34-year-old’s return since his most recent setback in January, but Franklin will at a minimum miss a Round 1 clash against Brisbane Lions at the Gabba on March 20.
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“Lance won’t play Round 1,” Sydney coach John Longmire said.
“He’ll play when he’s ready to play. Hopefully if he continues the way he’s going it will be pretty early, but it won’t be Round 1.
“It’s one game, it’s an important game, but it’s not the only game of the year.
“If it’s Round 2, if it’s Round 3, whenever it is, he’ll come in and play. Hopefully everyone understands that we’ve got to get him right for the whole season and that means he might not play every game for the whole season. That’s okay, too. We’ll just work through it.”
Franklin’s absence opens the door for a debut for McDonald, last year’s No.4 draft pick.
McDonald played only the second half of the match against the Giants, but gave the Swans a contest in attack and finished with 1.2 from nine disposals and five marks.
“We certainly felt like he (McDonald) was able to give us another marking target in our front half and we were able to do other things with (Isaac) Heeney, (Will) Hayward and these guys rather than being the keys,” Longmire said.
“So we’re still working through that, what it looks like.
“He (McDonald) got pushed out a few times but he’s smart, he works hard and he’ll give it everything he’s got.
“Whether it’s Round 1 or whenever it is, I think he’s not a bad looking player.”
MORE: EVERY SUPERCOACH SCORES FROM GIANTS v SWANS
Veteran GWS defender Phil Davis played 80 minutes in a reserves practice match as he works his way back from a knee injury.
“It looked like he was covering the ground really, really well,” Giants coach Leon Cameron said.
“That was his first real hitout. We’ll have another intra-club probably Saturday. How much game time that will be, we’ll judge how he pulls up. But there’s 14 days until the Saints and no doubt he wants to put his hand up to play. But we’re also mindful that he’s missed a fair chunk of the pre-season and we’ve got to make sure when he does come in, he’s right to go.”
IN A NUTSHELL
GWS
A little bit familiar for the Giants, whose best footy is the first half was electric before they went missing in the third term and had a 37-point lead whittled away to two points. But GWS bounced back in the final term and were ultra-efficient at scoring once inside-50 across the afternoon, booting 18.6 (114) from just 51 inside-50s.
SYDNEY
Struggled to score in the first half despite dominating possession, with Sam Reid virtually the only key target in attack. But the midfielders got in on the goalkicking action thereafter and experienced players like Luke Parker lifted. There are plenty of quality kids who look ready to take the next step this year – including Nick Blakey and Tom McCartin – which is exciting for Swans fans.
SELECTION PUZZLES
GWS
Is a three-tall forward line too much? The Giants clearly think it might be. They played Harry Himmelberg, Jeremy Finlayson and Jake Riccardi in their practice match against the Swans the previous weekend. But in their AAMI Community Series match, Himmelberg was the only one of the three to play the whole game. Riccardi kicked 1.1 from six disposals in the first half before sitting out the second half when Finlayson came on for a run after halftime.
SYDNEY
How many draftees can you play in Round 1? The Swans might have three debutants after what appears to be a stellar 2020 national draft haul. Swans Academy products Braeden Campbell (pick 5) and Errol Gulden (pick 32) look to have picked themselves after producing some outstanding football in two practice matches over the past two weeks. It wouldn’t surprise if key forward Logan McDonald (pick 4) also made an appearance in the season-opener after impressing in the second half against the Giants, providing a target and kicking a goal.
ONES TO WATCH
GWS
Jacob Hopper was the standout for the Giants with his clearance work and looks set for another big year through the middle. He had seven centre clearances in the first half alone and finished with eight among 25 disposals for the game. Tim Tarranto looked sharp once again as he looks to bounce back from an injury-interrupted 2020 season, while draftee Tanner Bruhn all but locked himself in for a Round 1 debut by kicking four goals.
SYDNEY
The 2020 draftees aside, there is plenty to like about a lot of the other young Swans. Nick Blakey is a special talent who continues to show signs of improvement, Tom McCartin looks settled in his new role down back, Oliver Florent looks like he wants to make his fifth season his best yet and there is still plenty of upside in James Rowbottom and Will Hayward.
SIDELINED
GWS
Veteran defender Phil Davis played in the reserves practice match as he works his way back from a knee injury. Dashing midfielder Lachie Whitfield (bruised liver) is still pushing for a Round 1 return, but small forward Brent Daniels (hamstring) could miss the season-opener, as could recruit Jesse Hogan (quad). Braydon Preusss and Adam Kennedy are long-term injuries, both having had recent shoulder reconstructions.
SYDNEY
There is still uncertainty about Lance Franklin’s Round 1 availability after he missed again with a calf complaint. Franklin did not play at AFL level all in 2020 due to various soft tissue injury issues. Ruckman Sam Naismith (knee) is expected to miss a large part of the start of the season.
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