Promising Sydney Swans ruckman Sam Naismith will reignite his comeback from a long-term injury battle in a match against the table-topping Brisbane Lions at Tramway Oval on Saturday.
The 27-year-old donned a NEAFL jumper for his first match since 2017 as Sydney met Brisbane on July 28, and while an injury setback has sidelined him ever since, the towering Swan is ready to be wheeled out again.
Sydney development coach Lloyd Perris says Naismith is a huge addition to the team.
“We’re rapt to have him back in the side because we know he’s a really strong, physical presence, he competes really hard and he often gives us first use in the ruck,” Perris said.
“He’ll bring his strengths, he should be able to get through his limited minutes and he’ll shift through the ruck and forward line.
“We’ve got plenty of other talls, including Darcy Cameron, and we expect Sam and Darcy to share the ruck duties. We’re really excited about what the ruck-forward combination between those two can do for us.”
The Moore Park clash will also see the Swans’ NEAFL outfit welcome back rising midfielders Ryan Clarke and James Bell.
The duo featured in the senior team’s emphatic victory against Melbourne at the MCG last Friday night, in which Bell booted his first goal at the top level and celebrated with a stellar Indigenous dance.
Perris said intent would be critical in Bell’s NEAFL return.
“James Bell was rewarded with a couple of AFL games after some really good form in the NEAFL, and we just want him to bring his hardness and his leadership,” Perris said.
“That’s what he had brought all year for us in the NEAFL, and it’s obviously a really important time for us to have him back in the side.”
The NEAFL fixture will precede the senior team’s clash with St Kilda at the SCG.
The AFL match will see Lance Franklin make his 300th senior appearance, former co-captains Jarrad McVeigh and Kieren Jack play farewell games and Aliir Aliir join the 50-game club.
The club is also set to celebrate its fourth Pride Game for premiership points in an annual tradition involving the Swans and Saints.
Perris called for the Swans faithful to cheer on the NEAFL team ahead of the AFL fixture.
“We’d absolutely love to have as many people at the game as possible,” Perris said.
“It’s a really big game for us, it’s obviously a really big day for the club and we want to get it going in the right direction as early as possible. It should also be a beautiful day, so if we could have as many people there as possible to support the boys that’d be fantastic.”
Who: Sydney Swans v Brisbane Lions
Where: Tramway Oval, Moore Park
When: Saturday, 10:15am
Round: 21
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Sydney Swans team:
B: 51. R Barkley 6. J Thurlow 48. M Knoll
HB: 16. Z Foot 47. T Pink 52. E Gulden
C: 32. J Bell 1. J Rose 27. J McInerney
HF: 60. S Gaden 46. J Amartey 57. M Geddes
F: 17. D Cameron 41. H McLean 4. R Clarke
R: 35. S Naismith 45. S Wicks 19. M Ling
Int: 55. C Kilpatrick 54. K Martin 53. K McKellar 50. S Thorne 58. R van Huisstede
