THREE star Sydney Swans players will need to prove their fitness on Thursday before being named for Saturday night’s blockbuster against Hawthorn at the MCG.
Star forward Kurt Tippett (knee), gun midfielder Dan Hannebery (ankle) and premiership half-back Rhyce Shaw (ankle) are all in the mix to return from injury for the top-of-the-table clash according to coach John Longmire.
Tippett hasn’t played since Round 15, when he again injured his troublesome knee but the Swans are keen to get him back as soon as possible.
“If he’s ready to go this week and the medical staff thinks he’s ready to go, he’ll play,” Sydney Coach John Longmire said.
“We’d certainly like him back sooner rather than later because we want him in the team to help us win right now.”
Tippett has played just five games this year after battling a knee injury during the pre-season, playing his first game for the year against the Hawks in Round 8.
In those five games he has formed a formidable partnership with Lance Franklin, booting 14 goals in those outings including a haul of four against the Hawks.
Between them, the pair kicked 37 goals in those five games.
Hannebery, meanwhile is the least likely of the trio to get up for the game as he continues in an attempt to return from an ankle injury.
“We’re going to give them every chance, all three of them, but at this stage Dan Hannebery is probably the least likely out of the three,” Longmire said.
“But we’ll give them a chance and will make the decision on Thursday.
Hannebery was best on ground in the last meeting between the Hawks and Swans, picking up 40 possessions and most likely, three Brownlow votes.
Before suffering the injury in Round 13, Hannebery was one of the favourites for the Brownlow Medal, averaging 31.7 disposals between rounds 5 and 12.
Shaw has also been out with an ankle injury, which has halted another outstanding season from the defender.
A vital link-up player from defence along with Nick Malceski and Jarrad McVeigh, Shaw has re-captured the form that saw him a valuable member of Sydney’s 2012 premiership side.
He has averaged 22.4 disposals this year - ranked seventh overall at the Swans – along with 16.3 uncontested possessions (ranked second) and fifth for rebound 50s.
