Sydney Swans star continued to battle niggling knee injury.
Sydney Swans veteran Adam Goodes says time is against him as he races to be fit before the start of the AFL finals in just two weeks’ time.
Goodes has been out of the Swans’ line-up since their shock loss to Port Adelaide back in round 13, with Sydney coach John Longmire suggested the duel Brownlow Medalist’s cartilage is taking longer than offcials had expected to heal.
“He’s not confident, he’s hopeful,” Longmire said of Goodes’ assessment of his own chances of returning.
“He’s wanting to play but his knee’s a little bit sore … he hasn’t had too many wins in his rehab, to use his own words this morning.”
Despite Longmire also missing Sam Reid (quad), utility Lewis Roberts-Thomson (knee) and the Swans’ leading 2012 goalkicker Lewis Jetta (shin), the premiers have not missed a beat in recent weeks.
Sydney have won six our of their past seven stretching back to the clash where they lost Goodes, with Kurt Tippett proving why he was worth waiting joining the side for, in being an excellent target up front for the side.
“He (Tippett) has provided us with a real marking target in our front half, it’s been so important in the back half of the year,” said Longmire.
“He’s such a big bloke that marks the ball so strongly … he works so hard at his game and he gets rewarded when he works hard at his game.
“I’m sure he’ll be tested out against a Geelong defence.”
Geelong hosts Sydney in a top-four blockbuster at Simonds Stadium on Saturday.
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