Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Sydney key forward Joel Amartey is fit again, leaving Swans coach Dean Cox with a tough selection call for a preliminary final against Fremantle.
Off-contract Amartey hasn’t played at AFL or VFL level in three months since partially tearing an Achilles tendon in the club’s round-16 loss to Brisbane.
Hayden McLean has impressed in Amartey’s absence, with a three-goal haul in their gutsy 53-point qualifying final win over the Lions only adding to his case.
McLean had been forced to ply his trade in the VFL following Charlie Curnow’s arrival this season, with Amartey preferred alongside Logan McDonald.
But with Amartey coming off a long injury lay-off and McLean’s added strength as a back-up ruck, the Swans might opt not to tinker with their forward line for Friday’s SCG clash.
It comes as Amartey is reportedly weighing up a significant five-year deal from Carlton.
Cox already has one forced change to make as the Swans aim to become the first team through to the grand final, with captain Callum Mills facing the possibility of missing the entire 2027 season following an ACL injury.
Star winger Justin McInerney is likely to return to the side, despite missing three months of football with a hamstring injury.
Fellow key forward McDonald didn’t give his thoughts on selection, but was adamant a lack of game time wasn’t a worry for Amartey.
McDonald was the star in a red-hot Swans attack against the Lions, finishing with a career-best six goals in the qualifying final win.
“I’ve seen how hard he (Amartey) has worked over the last few months to get himself right and fit,” McDonald said on Wednesday.
“His body’s in a good state where he’s able to contribute if required.
“I’ve got full faith, if the coaches make that decision, that he’ll go out there and help us win.”
McDonald had been in a similar predicament the last time the Swans were in finals.
Sydney had rolled the dice and McDonald took an ankle concern into the 2024 grand final.
But the key forward was substituted at halftime after re-injuring the joint.
Isaac Heeney was also hampered by a stress reaction in his ankle and sat out most of the final term.
The midfielder is now one of five Swans players serving a club-imposed suspension that rules them out for the rest of the year.
Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, James Jordon and Riley Bice are the other Swans who won’t play again this season.
McDonald’s ankle injury dogged him into the following year, with the 24-year-old sidelined for the entire 2026 season.
Yet to reflect on his tough road back to the finals stage, McDonald credited three-time Coleman Medallist Curnow’s impact.
Drafted with pick No.4 in 2020, McDonald has also learned from AFL legend and former Swans teammate Lance “Buddy” Franklin.
“I’m very fortunate to play with two of the best forwards ever,” McDonald said.
“When I came in very young with ‘Bud’, I was in absolute awe of him. I just looked up to him.
“Even though his body probably didn’t allow him to at times, he didn’t let a moment go to waste.
“Getting Charlie this year … the way he’s helped my development and tried to put me in positions to succeed, I think it’s helped bring the best out of me.”
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