As Callum Sinclair signed a two-year contract extension, Sydney's big man stocks were dealt a blow with injured ruckman Sam Naismith suffering another injury setback.
The Swans are unsure when Naismith will return to the field after he underwent arthroscopic surgery on the knee he had reconstructed last year.
Callum Sinclair has signed a two-year contract extension that keeps him in Sydney until the end of 2021.Credit:AAP
While players can typically return within a year of tearing an anterior cruciate ligament, Naismith's time on the sidelines will go well beyond the 12 months. The Swans had been hopeful last month Naismith would return within the first six weeks of the season, but that is no longer the case.
The 26-year-old was sent for surgery after complaining of pain in the back of his knee as he was increasing his running loads.
Advertisement
"He had a clean-up of scar tissue in the knee, which went well," Swans football manager Charlie Gardiner said. "Recoveries can be relatively quick. We're hoping to see him back running soon but the return date is still unknown and won't be until later in the season."
Naismith, who underwent a knee reconstruction last March, has not played since the 2017 finals series. He is highly rated by the Swans but has played only 28 games since joining the club in the 2012 draft period due to numerous injuries.
I wouldn't say I was disappointed in my first two years. I played a very different role to what I play now.
Callum Sinclair
There is now more pressure on Sinclair, who will again have to shoulder the bulk of the ruck duties this year.
The Swans have a dearth of ruck options on their list. Back-up will come from youngster Darcy Cameron, who has played one game, and the uncapped Hayden McLean, who was signed as a rookie under the AFL's new preseason supplementary list rules earlier this month.
Sinclair has put pen to paper on a two-year contract extension that will keep him at the Swans until the end of the 2021 season.
The former West Coast giant joined the Swans at the end of 2015 in a straight swap for Lewis Jetta but struggled in his first two years in the red and the white when used more as a forward due to Naismith and Kurt Tippett being ahead of him in the pecking order.
He came of age last year when given more responsibility in the ruck, finishing ninth in the club's best and fairest award, and was one of the best in the opening-round loss.
"I wouldn't say I was disappointed in my first two years. I played a very different role to what I play now," Sinclair said.
"I had full faith in my ability to make Sydney a long-term career here. I'm really happy the club sees that as well."
Sinclair said he had learned to balance the ruck and forward duties. A key aspect of Sinclair's game is his marking, which improved considerably last year wRead More – Source
[contf] [contfnew] 
Australian Breaking News Headlines
[contfnewc] [contfnewc]
