Sydney Swans Head of Physiotherapy and Medical services, Damian Raper has provided an off-season injury update, presented by Castlereagh Imaging.
Sydney Swans Head of Physiotherapy and Medical services, Damian Raper has provided an off-season injury update, as several key AFL players were unable to complete the 2025 season.
Raper said players have been given time off since the season finished to freshen up and enjoy some time away from the club.
“It has been three weeks since our last game, with players given plenty of downtime,” Raper said.
“Running loads will build from this week onwards, with preseason beginning in a cardiovascular block before progressing into speed through October and then transitioning into more football.
Senior players, Joel Amartey and Justin McInerney both suffered season-ending injuries late in the 2025 season, with both players to begin rehabilitation programs immediately.
“Justin injured his PCL against Brisbane and has now come out of the brace. He is expected to begin running in 2–3 weeks before returning to the normal off-season program, while Joel has come along well, doing lots of sprinting and conditioning, and is expected to have a normal off-season,” Raper said.
Swingman Joel Hamling sustained a hamstring injury in July against GWS and missed the remainder of the year but is expected to complete a full pre-season.
Key forward Logan McDonald missed the entire year with a significant ankle injury but will hit the ground running in November.
Renowned reconditioning specialist, Bill Knowles will spend two weeks at Swans HQ in the preseason in a bid to fast-track some of the players fitness levels, including McDonald’s.
“Logan’s ankle is now looking really strong and healthy with no issues,” Raper said.
“He has returned to full training load and will complete a two-week conditioning block with US specialist Bill Knowles during the off-season.
“Bill will work (with players) on absorbing load and conditioning the rest of the body to return to the demand of AFL next season.”