AFL: Sydney Swans coach John Longmire expects suspended ruckman Peter Ladhams to learn from gut punch

Peter Ladhams will miss the Swans’ big clash with St Kilda through suspension, but his coach expects him to be better for the incident.

Peter Ladhams’ emotions got the better of him in his first match-up with his old side Port Adelaide. Picture: Getty Images

Sydney coach John Longmire believes the high emotion of facing his old side was to blame for Peter Ladhams’ gut punch to Port Adelaide’s Ollie Wines that will cost him a week out.

Ladhams’ moment of madness means he will be unavailable for Saturday night’s clash with St Kilda and its dual ruck threat of Paddy Ryder and Rowan Marshall.

That would have been the perfect scenario for the Swans to unleash Ladhams and Tom Hickey together, something that has happened only twice this season.

Sydney will accept ex-Power big man Ladhams’ one-match ban and Longmire said there was no previous bad blood between him and Wines.

“I had a chat with him (on Monday) about it. He’s a 24-year-old who’s played 40 games, so he’ll learn from that,” Longmire said.

Ollie Wines was unimpressed with Peter Ladhams’ gut punch that will cost the new Swan a week on the sidelines. Picture: Getty Images

“He’s still learning about his footy and he’s still developing as a player and he’s been good for us. He didn’t get that part of the game right, but we all learn from things like this.

“I’ve no doubt Peter will come through that and learn from it and be a better player because of it.

“I think just the moment of playing against the old team and it probably built up a little bit. He grew up a street-and-a-half away from Alberton Oval, so it was the first time he’s been able to do that.”

Hickey looms as Ladhams’ obvious replacement after amassing 21 disposals and 38 hit-outs in his VFL return.

Knee and toe setbacks have limited him to only five games in 2022, but Longmire said he came through unscathed from his weekend game.

Tom Hickey is set to return in place of suspended ruckman Peter Ladhams. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Longmire stopped short of guaranteeing Hickey would play, but Callum Sinclair copped a knock in the same match and other options Hayden McLean and Joel Amartey are forward-rucks.

The only other fit ruckman on the list is 208cm project Lachie McAndrew, with Sam Naismith (knee) out for the season.

“There are always choices when you go into it, but in the end, (Hickey’s) done a couple of weeks of work with training. He’s played the one game,” Longmire said.

“Is he right to go this week? We back the fact in that he’s had some experience, he plays well and he knows what he’s doing on a footy ground.

Paddy Ryder remains a key part of St Kilda’s success. Picture: Getty Images

“The Saints have got two quality rucks … and we understand that that’s one of the opposition’s real strengths.”

St Kilda has suffered consecutive defeats and the loser of its clash with the Swans faces the unenviable prospect of being outside the top eight at the end of round 15.

“It’s just a reflection of the season – it’s very competitive and that’s just how the season has ended up,” Longmire said.

“We play the Saints this week and they’re a very good footy team this year, so I just think it’s a reflection of the season and all clubs are faced with that.

“It’s something the AFL aspires to – to have a really even season – and anyone on any given day is capable of beating anyone else. That’s what the AFL wants and that’s what they’ve got.”

Originally published as AFL: Sydney Swans coach John Longmire expects suspended ruckman Peter Ladhams to learn from gut punch