Sydney coach John Longmire has suggested Taylor Adams’ experience would be “important”, with the former Magpie sweating in place hoping to avoid the heartbreak of 2023 when he missed the Collingwood win through injury.
Star Swans forward Tom Papley was also identified as being able to “step it up significantly” in training this week, with a series of key inclusions helping the minor premiers in Saturday’s all-Sydney qualifying final at the SCG , would give a boost.
Papley, who has not played since Round 20 due to an ankle injury, could be one of four potential players for the clash with GWS, with all-Australian Isaac Heeney, rested from the Round 25 win over Adelaide, also set to is to return .
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Running machine Justin McInerney should also return to play against the Giants, as well as defenseman Tom McCartin, but Longmire knows he has to balance how many players he brings back at a time.
“Papley, McInerney, McCartin and Heens, they all trained today and came through well,” Longmire said on Tuesday after his team’s most important session of the week.
“Hopefully they do the same on Thursday.
“I usually don’t get too ahead of myself until the last training session. I wait a moment and kick that can onto the road.
“We are just focusing on this week and who is available. They have followed the training they had to do in recent weeks and were now able to step it up. They were also lifted this week.
“In Juzzy’s case, he’s in great fitness and he’s an elite runner, so it’s all about how he feels on the ball, during the game, and he’s done everything he can in that space.
“Paps is a quality A-level player and he was able to step up significantly today, which is a good sign.”
The inclusions could jeopardize the place of 30-year-old Adams, who moved to Sydney after his heartbreaking end to last season.
Adams has made 19 appearances at his new club and Longmire highlighted how important his experience could be to a young Swans side looking for a premiership.
“I think anyone who has experience in finals is important,” Longmire said.
“We always talk about a whole squad of players you need at this time of year, and we had to get through the season with the whole squad.
“Taylor in particular has played a lot of football for us this year and we will need that in the coming weeks. Everyone has a role to play in the team.
“It is important to be able to look at the team, what it looks like after the last training and then select the team.”
The Swans have lost all three finals they have played against the Giants, but won both local derbies in 2024 by 27 and 29 points.
“We don’t spend a lot of time looking at (the Giants’ record),” he said. “The most relevant (match) this year is in terms of playing style and personnel, because it has the most relevance.
“But even those are subtle changes. Both teams have had players in and out and will be a little different this week.
“We looked at what the Giants have done in the last month and their footy has been electric. Their ability to run and gun and turn defense into attack very quickly is a real strength of theirs.
“We know they’ll be pretty much at full strength. They are a team that has won seven of their past eight games, the form team of the competition. We have to be at our best.”
