Sydney defender Tom McCartin will miss yet another game because of concussion as the Swans take an ultra-conservative approach to his recovery.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
McCartin will be sidelined for a third consecutive match when the Swans travel to Melbourne to play the Western Bulldogs on Thursday night.
The key backman was concussed in round eight when hit high by GWS' Callum Brown in an incident which resulted in a three-game ban for the Giant.
McCartin also missed nine games last season because of concussion and his older brother Paddy retired last year because of ongoing concussion issues.
Swans coach John Longmire says Tom McCartin has been training but lacks the necessary amount of competitive drills to return against the Dogs.
"The Thursday night (game) counts against him a little bit, if it was a weekend game he might have been a better chance" Longmire told reporters on Tuesday.
"He trained today he got through fine.
"The doctors obviously have taken a conservative approach to it.
"He has been pulling up well, he's been running and training, but as far as the competitive training to go to the next step, he probably hasn't done enough of it at this point."
The ladder-leading Swans have a bye after meeting the Bulldogs - another factor in keeping McCartin on the sidelines this week, Longmire said.
The Dogs enter the Marvel Stadium fixture in 11th spot after squaring their win-loss ledger at five-five by upsetting GWS last weekend.
"We're just getting a sniff of maybe what we can do and what we're capable of," Dogs coach Luke Beveridge told reporters on Tuesday.
"But as we keep saying, we wear the inconsistent appraisal of us - it is just who we have been.
"We're looking to shed that and be a more consistent team in game, as much as results-wise.
"Playing against the top side this week in a Sydney team ... what a great challenge for us coming off a couple of good weeks."
Dogs captain Marcus Bontempelli was subjected to a heavy tag by the Giants and restricted to 18 disposals.
Sydney's James Jordan has been deployed as a tagger with great success by Longmire this season and looms as a potential match-up for the top Dog.
"If your skipper in Marcus isn't necessarily shooting the lights out possession-wise, that's OK," Beveridge said.
"He doesn't have to, it's all about the team and winning the game."
Australian Associated Press
