Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020
Justin McInerney is targeting the Sydney Swans’ Round 23 match against Essendon Football Club for his return from a serious hamstring tear suffered against St Kilda Football Club in June.
The 25-year-old was averaging career highs of 23.4 disposals and three clearances before the injury. Sydney Swans sit second with a 13-4 record, behind Fremantle Football Club at 15-2.
Elsewhere in the AFL, Josh Worrell has been charged following a traffic accident involving a pedestrian.
The Sydney Swans’ official injury report initially placed Justin McInerney on an eight-to-10-week recovery timeline. The midfielder is now confident his rehabilitation is progressing as planned.
“Soft tissues are a bit of a different one. They play a bit more on your mind and I think with the end goal of finals coming up, it makes it a little bit tougher,” Justin McInerney said.
Justin McInerney initially believed the injury would sideline him for only a month because he was able to jog from the field. Scans later revealed a far more serious tear.
While unable to play, he has assisted the coaching staff from the bench by passing messages to teammates. His speed and ball movement would give the Sydney Swans another running option heading into the finals.
Logan McDonald could return against Adelaide Football Club on Friday after missing two matches with a quadriceps strain. Braeden Campbell is also in contention after playing his first VFL match of the year.
Sam Wicks remains about four weeks away, while Joel Amartey is targeting the finals after an Achilles injury. No return date has been set for Peter Ladhams following his groin problem.
The Sydney Swans will brand their Round 24 meeting with North Melbourne Football Club as “Round 42” to support Australian Red Cross Lifeblood. The number represents the 42-day shelf life of donated blood.
