Swans regain talls as gun Dog hurt again

Sydney is poised to welcome back co-captain Dane Rampe on Thursday night as young Bulldogs tall Sam Darcy requires surgery for a broken jaw.

Rampe has been sidelined since round 4 with a serious neck injury, but is set to return to bolster the Swans’ backline against St Kilda after a difficult period for his side without a host of key position players.

His inclusion would also mean the Swans play with one of their three captains, with Callum Mills (calf) and Luke Parker (suspension) both sidelined for the blockbuster clash.

Promising key forward Joel Amartey could also return at the senior level or via the VFL after he suffered a high grade hamstring injury against Richmond in round 5.

Sydney will be tempted to rush Amartey back to the senior level to ease the burden on main target Lance Franklin in his milestone game.

Swans medical boss Damian Raper said both were in the selection frame, while Mills and Logan McDonald (ankle) are running again and edging closer to a return.

“Dane’s neck injury has improved significantly. He has trained solidly throughout the bye week and is expected to be available for selection against St Kilda,” Raper said.

“Joel has trained fully over the past two weeks and will be assessed for a return to match play this weekend.”

Peter Ladhams is yet to begin running again as he recovers from an ankle injury, while Tom McCartin will “build his training loads” over the coming days as he eyes a round 14 return.

Raper said it was likely young forward Marc Sheather would miss the remainder of the season due to the navicular stress injury in his foot.

Sam Darcy will be unavailable for Bulldogs selection for at least three weeks after breaking his jaw in his VFL comeback on Saturday, which came after five weeks on the sidelines due to a small hole in his lung.

The Bulldogs said the earliest possible return for the 208cm forward would be after the club’s round 15 bye.

“After consultation with specialists, it has been determined that an operation to stabilise the fracture will accelerate his recovery and minimise risk of ongoing issues,” a club statement issued on Tuesday said.

“Sam’s return to play plan will become clearer after the operation, but he is expected to make a return to playing soon after the club’s mid-season bye.”