AFL 2022: Sydney Swans ruckman Tom Hickey defends fellow big man Peter Ladhams over VFL incident

Peter Ladhams almost certainly cost himself the chance to be part of the Swans’ AFL flag push with some ill discipline in the VFL but his ruck partner has gone in to bat for him.

Swans ruckman Peter Ladhams will miss the next three weeks through suspension. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Tom Hickey is confident two “brain fades” that saw fellow Sydney ruckman Peter Ladhams twice suspended this year won’t define his teammate’s career.

Ladhams will miss the Swans’ next three matches after a brutal, high and delayed hit on Taj Woewodin in the VFL on Saturday left the first-year Demon concussed.

Sydney officials opted not to appeal the ban, which was four matches before an early guilty plea reduced the sanction.

The incident followed Ladhams’ unnecessary gut punch to former teammate Ollie Wines in round 14 that cost him a week on the sidelines.

He was a potential wildcard for the Swans’ AFL flag assault, given his rich vein of form at second-tier level since returning from a broken thumb on his right hand, but Sam Reid will continue to support Hickey.

A four match ban for Peter Ladhams for this VFL hit. He can accept a three week ban with a guilty plea under VFL rules or fight it. A huge setback for Sydney’s ruck depth pic.twitter.com/Zqdze5X0A4

— Jon Ralph (@RalphyHeraldSun) August 29, 2022

Ladhams now needs the Swans to play four finals, including making the grand final, to have any chance of a senior call-up but only an injury is likely to present an opening.

“I had a little chat to him after it and he was very remorseful of how it happened and I think it’s something that he knows he needs to work on,” Hickey told News Corp.

“But he’s a quality guy, and he’s a quality player, so we’ll wrap our arms around him and it’s something that he can learn from again.

“He’s been applying himself at training and applying himself during games and hopefully two swallows don’t make a summer and he can really train hard and keep working at it.”

Sydney was transparent with Hickey about its pursuit of Ladhams in last year’s trade period, believing they could form a lethal on-field partnership in the short term.

Veteran Tom Hickey is still the Swans’ No.1 ruckman. Picture: Getty Images

But the Swans’ interest in Ladhams was more for the longer term, with Hickey preparing to turn 32 in March.

The 24-year-old big man played 11 times for Sydney this season and has played 43 in total, so has time on his side to develop and should be entering his prime next year and beyond.

The belief from all parties on Ladhams is that he is still figuring out how to be a physical presence.

“The way he is around the club and the way he is at training is not like that at all,” Hickey said.

“So I think it’s just been a couple of brain fades and maybe the first time versing your old mob can get the better of you sometimes.

“Then I think he just got frustrated through this game (at the weekend) and let his emotions get the better of him.”

Originally published as AFL 2022: Sydney Swans ruckman Tom Hickey defends fellow big man Peter Ladhams over VFL incident