Sydney coach John Longmire refuses to rule out luckless ex-Pie Taylor Adams ahead of grand final
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Sydney coach John Longmire refused to rule out a return for veteran Taylor Adams ahead of their grand final next Saturday.
Adams has missed both of the Swans finals this season, with the club electing to name Robbie Fox for Friday night's 36-point preliminary final win over the Power, to replace injured skipper Callum Mills.
It means Adams' chances of cracking in for a grand final berth look slimmer and slimmer.
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And Adams has been here before, not that it makes it any easier.
Last season, he heartbreakingly missed out on Collingwood's premiership, after suffering a hamstring strain on the eve of their preliminary final win over GWS.
Taylor Adams of the Swans and Braeden Campbell celebrate their preliminary final win. AFL Photos via Getty Images
He went on to miss out on their three-point grand final win over the Lions, just weeks later requesting a trade to the Swans in hopes of gaining a solid spot in their best 22.
But an injury setback at the start of March, suffering a medial ligament strain in his left knee, saw his spot on the rocks yet again.
Adams managed to play a solid role in the home-and-away season when he returned but was pushed out of the side in favour of veteran Luke Parker, after he returned from injury, a VFL stint and a six-week suspension.
Longmire admits it's never easy making those difficult selection decisions, which he'll have to do all over again in less than a week's time for their grand final.
Isaac Heeney celebrates the win. Getty
"I've been there as a player, a couple of times, both with injury and non-selection," he said.
"His (Adams') attitude's been terrific. He was out on the ground tonight soaking in the moments.
"We're not sure what happens this week. Just keep working and see how the week progresses."
As for the excitement of the grand final, Longmire played it cool, keeping a lid on what's to come.
Swans coach John Longmire celebrates their preliminary final win over Port, with Dane rampe in game 250. AFL Photos via Getty Images
"You enjoy the process of the week. It's the method," he said.
Longmire also admitted he had not seen Dane Rampe's last hit on Port Adelaide's Zak Butters, which could draw MRO attention in the lead-up to the grand final.
"I didn't see it, sorry. I don't know," he said.
Rampe's high contact on Butters. Fox Footy
On the injury front, the coach revealed key forward Logan Mcdonald was put on ice after rolling his ankle.
He will head for scans to reveal any damage or if it could be a syndesmosis injury, which could prove to be the grand final heartbreak in a week's time.
The Swans will await their grand final opponent, with the Cats and Lions facing off on Saturday afternoon for the second spot on that last Saturday in September.
