AFL: Sydney Swans ruck recruit Peter Ladhams poised to replace Tom Hickey after interrupted pre-season

Peter Ladhams was Sydney’s big trade addition last year but didn’t play in the first two rounds. But the Swan is poised to make his club debut

Peter Ladhams is in line to make his Swans debut next week as Tom Hickey’s replacement. Picture: Getty Images

Ruck recruit Peter Ladhams tuned up for his potential Sydney debut next week as Tom Hickey’s replacement with a second-straight VFL hitout at Blacktown against Gold Coast on Friday night.

There were eyebrows raised when the Swans picked Joel Amartey this week over Ladhams to support Tom Hickey and play a forward role, but the 24-year-old has had a severely interrupted pre-season.

Ladhams, who played 32 games for Port Adelaide, not only dealt with knee tendinitis this past summer but also contracted Covid-19 and suffered a concussion in an intraclub game.

Amartey was forced to ruck almost solo against the Western Bulldogs on Thursday night after Hickey exited the contest in the third quarter with a suspected medial collateral ligament injury.

Coach John Longmire had limited information about Hickey’s status after his side’s 11-point defeat and wasn’t willing to speculate post-game about whether he might be available next week.

Peter Ladhams, pictured against Tim English in his Port Adelaide days, is poised to play his first game for the Swans next week. Picture: Getty Images

Hickey, 31, has a history of knee injuries but missed just one match last season after sustaining a posterior cruciate ligament tear.

“We’re not sure what the story is,” Longmire said.

“Let’s see what it is first (before concerning ourselves with whether he needs to be replaced), but it’s a suspected medial. That’s all I’ve got.”

Ladhams amassed 18 disposals, eight marks, two goals and 18 hit-outs in the VFL season-opener last week against Bulldogs big men Stefan Martin and Jordon Sweet in a good indication of what he has to offer.

Sydney sent a future third-round selection and slid four picks in the first round last year to acquire Ladhams from the Power.

The severity of Tom Hickey’s latest knee injury is unknown. Picture: Getty Images

Speaking to News Corp in the pre-season, Longmire said there was “absolutely a chance” Hickey and Ladhams would play in the same team and that the partnership would “add a real flexibility”.

“We thought Tom Hickey was terrific last year, but it did make us a bit vulnerable at times,” Longmire said.

“He did his PCL and was able to still come back and play after missing only one week, which was a great effort.

“We think the two of them can play in the same team and it was great to get Peter ... we believe he has a great future at the footy club in the ruck role.”