Lewis Roberts-Thomson will return to the senior side for the first time since round 15 last year, when the Sydney Swans take on Port Adelaide at the SCG this Saturday night.
The Swans defender has played the last three games in the reserves after recovering from a string of hamstring-related injuries over the off-season, and said he is excited to get back to senior football after the frustration of the past few months.
“I’ll be playing this week, which is very exciting,” Roberts-Thomson said.
“There have been a lot of ups and downs over the past few months, but finally we’ve made some steps forward and we’re finally getting to play a game of footy.”
Roberts-Thomson initially injured his hamstring in training in the lead-up to last year’s round 16 win over Carlton, and has since suffered further complications relating to the hamstring in his calf and glute due, in part, to trying to rush back for the 2010 finals.
“I suppose as a footballer, you’re trying to get back on to the park as soon as possible, so you try and push the boundaries, but unfortunately it didn’t work in my favour. I learnt to take things a bit more slowly, but finally we are there,” he said.
Roberts-Thomson said that he never doubted he would get back to playing despite the frustration that came with being forced to watch from the sidelines.
“I love playing, and I’ve had the support of the footy Club and my team mates, so there was never really a doubt that I would get back to playing footy, but in saying that it was very frustrating over the last few months,” Roberts-Thomson said.
“The nerves haven’t really set in just yet, but no doubt come Saturday night I’ll be a bit nervous stepping back onto the SCG.”
The Swans will be looking to extend their current win streak against Port Adelaide to seven this Saturday night, and Roberts-Thomson said that although the team has been playing well, the Power will be another tough opponent.
“I think across the board the team has been going really well,” he said.
“Teddy (Richards) and Heath (Grundy) have played some really good footy and hopefully they can continue that throughout the year.
“It’s really exciting for us that our defence is standing up, but this weekend against Port it’s going to be another really big challenge.”
Sydney Swans coach John Longmire said he was pleased to regain the services of one of the six remaining 2005 premiership players, and welcomed the versatility Roberts-Thomson brings to the side.
“The last two weeks in our reserves he’s been really good,” Longmire said.
“He’s got some form back, he’s got some fitness back, we know he’s a quality player.
“I think a player like Lewy, who is very versatile, is important. I think his number one role will be to stop the key forwards … but he also has the flexibility to play in other positions.”
The final team selection for the Sydney Swans v Port Adelaide game will be announced on sydneyswans.com.au at 5pm this afternoon.
Want to see Lewis and the rest of the team take on Port Adelaide on Saturday night? Great tickets are still available, with full details able to be found here.
