Taylor Adams dealt latest heartbreaking AFL finals blow

Sydney Swans star Taylor Adams has copped a devastating blow, making it two years in a row he’s been hit with finals heartbreak.

Taylor Adams during the Sydney Swans training session at the SCG on June 7, 2024.. Photo by Phil Hillyard (Image Supplied for Editorial Use only - **NO ON SALES** - ©Phil Hillyard )

It’s September heartbreak once again for Taylor Adams.

The Sydney Swans midfielder was in contention to be named for Friday night’s preliminary final against Port Adelaide at the SCG.

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Unfortunately it wasn’t to be for Adams, making it two straight years he has missed out on playing in the main September action.

The Swans elected to name Robbie Fox in the team in place of injured skipper Callum Mills who injured his hamstring through the week.

SEN’s Sam Edmund said upon hearing news he had missed out left Adams “extremely disappointed” and comes after his heartbreak last year.

The former Collingwood player was a part of the team who lost the 2018 Grand Final before he missed out on Grand Final victory last year after a hamstring complaint flared up ahead of the big game.

Adams was a broken man as the Pies celebrated the Grand Final last year. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Adams joined the Swans ahead of the 2024 season and played in 19 games throughout the season as the club claimed the minor premiership.

Despite being a key member of the midfield, Adams was dropped for the qualifying final against the GWS Giants.

When Mills was ruled out during the week with injury, all eyes turned to Adams however it was a heartbreaking outcome for the 30-year-old when he was overlooked and to make matters even worse he wasn’t named among the three emergencies.

Fox’s inclusion is the only change to John Longmire’s starting 23, with Caiden Cleary, Peter Ladhams and Aaron Francis the trio of emergencies.

Adams has missed out entirely. Photo by Phil Hillyard

Port Adelaide have recalled key forward Charlie Dixon who was a late out last weekend due to an ongoing illness.

Ryan Burton has also joined the side, after failing a fitness test last Thursday at Alberton Oval.

Making way for the duo is Todd Marshall (concussion) and last Friday’s substitute Will Lorenz, with the latter on the emergencies list alongside talls Ollie Lord and Dante Visentini.

SYDNEY SWANS v PORT ADELAIDE

First Preliminary Final - SCG from 7:40pm (AEST)

SWANS

B: D.Rampe - C, T.McCartin, N.Blakey

HB: M.Roberts, H.Cunningham, L.Melican

C: J.Lloyd, Ch.Warner, O.Florent

HF: L.Parker, L.McDonald, E.Gulden

F: T.Papley, J.Amartey, W.Hayward

FOLL: B.Grundy, I.Heeney, J.Rowbottom

I/C: J.Jordon, B.Campbell, R.Fox, J.McInerney, H.McLean

EMG: A.Francis, C.Cleary, P.Ladhams

POWER

B: La.Jones, B.Zerk-Thatcher, M.Bergman

HB: J.Sinn, A.Aliir, L.Evans

C: J.Burgoyne, O.Wines, W.Drew

HF: D.Byrne-Jones, E.Ratugolea, W.Rioli

F: M.Georgiades, C.Dixon, C.Rozee - C

FOLL: J.Sweet, J.Horne-Francis, Z.Butters

I/C: T.Boak, Q.Narkle, J.Mead, F.Evans, R.Burton

EMG: W.Lorenz, D.Visentini, O.Lord