Sydney are set to lose midfield star Dan Hannebery for Friday’s AFL blockbuster against Hawthorn, but Lewis Jetta and Lewis Roberts-Thomson could both return from long-term injuries.
Hannebery hurt his knee in Saturday’s loss at Geelong and the short turnaround to Friday’s ANZ Stadium clash with the ladder-leading Hawks means he has little chance of playing that game.
The 22-year-old midfielder has been one of fourth-placed Sydney’s stars this season, averaging 26 possessions a game and has played every match so far.
“We hope it’s just a week, we expect it to be just a week,” Sydney coach John Longmire told reporters on Monday.
“He just got a knock to the side of the leg and it’s still sore today.”
The injury-hit Swans lost veteran back Rhyce Shaw to a season-ending anterior crucial ligament knee injury he suffered against the Cats.
Longmire offered some hope Jetta and Roberts-Thomson could finally get a run this week.
Big man utility and dual premiership player Roberts-Thomson hasn’t played since round four because of a knee problem.
Speedster Jetta has missed the past 11 games with a shin injury.
“Lewis Jetta and Lewis Roberts-Thomson, we’ll discuss probably as the week progresses,” Longmire said.
“They look to maybe playing this weekend, Sam Reid probably won’t.”
Key forward Reid has missed the past seven matches due to a knee injury.
Longmire was hoping dual Brownlow Medallist Adam Goodes, who has sat out the past nine games since having knee surgery, will train on Wednesday.
In one piece of good news, veteran Jude Bolton, who on Monday announced he would retire at the end of the season, will return against Hawthorn after missing the Geelong game through illness.