Swans’ Rampe to have hand surgery

Sydney are reeling from yet another injury to a key AFL player after Dane Rampe was booked in for hand surgery.

However, the Swans are hopeful their co-captain could play on Saturday.

Rampe broke his hand in the second quarter of the Swans’ seven-point win over Hawthorn, which snapped a four-game losing streak.

The key defender was clearly bothered by the injury but played through the pain to be one of the Swans’ best at the SCG.

Scans have since revealed a fracture but the Swans believe Rampe remains a chance to face St Kilda at the Gabba this weekend.

Rampe’s desperate defending and incisive kicking helped Sydney seize control of their clash with Hawthorn in the third term.

“Rampe was sensational,” Swans coach John Longmire said after the victory, praising the 30-year-old’s leadership.

“He played really well. He’s tough. He’s just a good player; he competes hard and he kept going.”

The injury-riddled Swans can ill afford to lose the 2016 All-Australian backman.

Lance Franklin, Josh Kennedy and Isaac Heeney headline a long injury list with Longmore forced to field and incredibly young side during the past month.

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