Reid needs surgery, Swans in injury crisis

Sydney key forward Sam Reid was in the mix to return this week, but he's now facing another long stint on the sidelines because of a new Achilles injury.

Sam Reid of the Sydney Swans.

A new Achilles injury is threatening to sideline Sydney forward Sam Reid. (AAP)

Sydney's injury crisis has worsened, with Sam Reid booked in for Achilles surgery that could spell the end of his AFL season.

Reid hasn't played since round three but was set to return from a quad injury on Sunday, when the Swans clash with North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.

Instead the key forward, who has been restricted to 121 games in eight seasons because of a series of injuries, suffered a fresh setback last Saturday in the NEAFL.

Reid and Lewis Melican, who also hasn't played at AFL level in three months, will both go under the knife on Tuesday.

Coach John Longmire expects Reid to be sidelined for six weeks, while Melican will be out for eight weeks because of his recurring hamstring problem.

Given the pair's trouble this year, a lot will have to go right for either of them to play again in 2018.

The untimely setbacks come after the Swans recorded their lowest score of the season in an upset loss to Geelong, during which veterans Jarrad McVeigh (broken collarbone), Dan Hannebery (calf strain) and Kieren Jack (medial strain) all suffered injuries.

"We reviewed the game and one of the things I said at the end of the meeting was it's not about the players we haven't got, it's about the players we have got," Longmire told reporters on Monday.

"It was an interesting nine days from our Richmond game through to our reserves game on the weekend, I think we lost eight senior players.

"Our challenge is now to suck it up and get on with it ... you roll up your sleeves.

"You've just got to have that resilience."

McVeigh's surgery went well last Friday, leaving Longmire confident the 314-game champion will extend his decorated career in the red and white.

Jack remains a chance of facing the Kangaroos, while Hannebery will be out of action for a month.

"It's tough for him (Hannebery), physically and mentally, he wants to be out there helping our players," Longmire said.

"They're all disappointed, but you just have to get on with it."

In more positive news for the Swans, Isaac Heeney (concussion) and Tom Papley (hip) are both in line to return against North.

Longmire confirmed Irishman Colin O'Riordan, who has been with the club since 2015, is in the mix to debut.

"He'd be a chance regardless of the injuries," Longmire said.

"He works really hard on his game. He's a good two-way player. He's incredibly enthusiastic and he runs hard."


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Source: AAP


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