Callum Sinclair will spend at least three weeks on the sidelines because of a dislocated shoulder as Sydney prepare to field an AFL team without a recognised ruckman.
The Swans are hopeful Sinclair will return later this year but if the joint doesn’t respond well to rest then he is likely to be booked in for season-ending surgery.
Sinclair’s setback – and the prospect of him not playing again this year – has plunged the club into a ruck crisis.
Sam Naismith is still recovering from the knee reconstruction he underwent last year while fellow ruckman Darcy Cameron, on the comeback trail from a quad strain, has endured an injury-plagued 2019.
Mid-season draftee Michael Knoll is the only fit ruckman but coach John Longmire hinted the former college basketballer, who once played against Ben Simmons as a junior, is far from certain to debut against Essendon.
“He’s been here for a few weeks. It’s such a whirlwind, he went from Melbourne to Adelaide then halfway through a season … he’s packed up his whole life again,” Longmire said on Monday.
“He hasn’t been playing football for that many years.
“We think he’s got really good potential. Whether that’s this week or not, I’m not sure.
“We’ll look at that … Michael’s an option, Aliir Aliir’s an option, Sam Reid’s an option.
“There’s other things we can do, get creative with it.”
Defender Aliir and key forward Reid were thrust into the ruck after Sinclair suffered his injury in the opening minute of Saturday’s clash with Gold Coast at the SCG.
Suns skipper Jarrod Witts helped himself to 55 hitouts but Longmire was impressed with both Aliir and Reid in the Swans’ 42-point win.
The one upside to the dilemma is the Bombers, who Sydney face at the MCG on Saturday, are dealing with a similar conundrum after ruckman Tom Bellchambers tweaked his calf.
Sinclair’s scan results were positive but Longmire admitted it “doesn’t mean he is definitely going to come back”.
“It’s not bad enough to absolutely do it (surgery) just yet, so we’ll give him a few weeks to settle it down, strengthen it up and see how we go,” Longmire said.
Cameron is a chance of returning via the NEAFL this weekend but the Swans will be conservative with the 23-year-old, recognising his importance in their push for an unlikely finals berth.
“We don’t want to take a risk. We’re mindful if we push him back this week, lose him then we might lose both ruckmen for the rest of the year,” Longmire said.