Swan Rohan out for 3-4 weeks

He’s getting stars Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippet back and he’ll have to do without injured speedster Gary Rohan, but Sydney coach John Longmire intends throwing different forward looks at rival AFL clubs.

The Swans were able to kick 14 goals in a winning score against Port Adelaide last Thursday despite Franklin and Tippett both missing the game through suspension.

They are both available for Sunday’s clash with the lowly Lions in Brisbane, but Rohan will be out for three to four weeks with a hamstring strain.

Rohan was one of several players Longmire ran through his forward line in the absence of Franklin and Tippett.

Adam Goodes and Sam Reid each kicked three goals from key forward positions with debutant and backup ruckman Toby Nankervis also spending time in the front half.

A number of smaller players also rotated through that area giving the Swans a more unpredictable look.

But Longmire denied they would fall back into a more routine model with Franklin and Tippett back.

“Obviously we’ve got a couple of big blokes there to draw the ball as well, but we need to be mindful that we’d still like some variation,” Longmire said on Monday.

“Regardless of who is there we’ll still try and do that.”

Injury prone utility Rohan was in fine form in the past couple of weeks prior to his latest setback.

“It’s disappointing for him, but I’m sure he’s got some confidence out of the type of footy he’s been able to play over the last few weeks,” Longmire said.

“He’s been able to put some pressure on the opposition and be good with the ball as well, so I’m sure he’s confident that he can play at that level when he gets back.”

Longmire said fullback Ted Richards was feeling fine after being concussed last Thursday, but medical staff would make the final decision about the veteran’s availability to play on Sunday.

“We’ll see how the week progresses, obviously the 10-day break helps,” Longmire said.

He was coy about where swingman Reid would line up against the Lions.

“We’ll play him where we need him,” Longmire said.

“He’s really embraced his role to be able to be flexible and his first half on the weekend was very good.

“We’ve played him throughout a number of positions this year and he’s certainly adapted to all of those.”

Last-placed Brisbane’s 2-11 record would suggest they shouldn’t pose Sydney too many problems, but Longmire stressed the Lions had competed well the past two weeks against Adelaide and Fremantle.

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