Fit-again Swans ruck set to fire in finals

Sep 11, 2017 - 6:04 AM Much like fellow ruckmen Brad Ottens and Clark Keating, Sydney's Sam Naismith has overcome injury and timed his run to AFL finals perfectly.

Ottens featured in only six games during 2009 but played a pivotal role in Geelong's premiership success, returning in the final round of the regular season and never looking back.

Brisbane big man Keating was restricted to only 12 games in both 2002 and 2003 but was at his best when it mattered most: grand-final wins over Collingwood.

Naismith didn't spend as long on the sidelines as Ottens or Keating, but a debilitating hip injury threatened to derail his premiership hopes this year.

Prior to his recall in week one of the finals, Naismith hadn't played at the highest level since July 28.

Coach John Longmire backed him to deliver ahead of Kurt Tippett against Essendon, knowing Naismith's tap work would be crucial as Sydney attempt to create history after a woeful 0-6 start to the season.

The 25-year-old repaid the faith, proving fitness and form in the Swans' dominant elimination-final win.

"As soon as you jump on the park, there's no excuses," Naismith told AAP.

"You simply have to be fit, firing and ready to go, so in that regard it doesn't matter what has happened once you're out there.

"I tried to play as hard as I could in the reserves the week before ... it was good to come in with a game under my belt and perform strongly."

Naismith, who had 33 hitouts and five tackles in the Swans' 65-point win at the SCG, was happy to shake off the rust ahead of Friday night's semi-final at the MCG against Geelong.

"It's really set me up for what will hopefully be a long finals campaign," he said.

"I've got confidence in my body. I'm over the hip injury and ready to go."

Naismith admitted his selection hopes were "a little bit up in the air" last week, when Longmire mulled which two ruckmen to pick for the knock-out clash.

The NSW product, who hails from Gunnedah, added Tippett had taken his demotion well.

"He was fine. He took it in his stride," Naismith said.

"We all bring different strengths to the table and it's whatever Horse wants to do.

"Cal (Callum Sinclair) and Tippo have been playing well lately ... we get on well, we're all pushing each other.

"It's healthy in September."

Source: AAP