Swans embracing injury challenge ahead of AFL finals

The Swans lost star forward Tom Papley (ankle) for potentially the rest of the home-and-away season during Sunday's two-point defeat to the Brisbane Lions.

Veteran defender Dane Rampe (calf) and forward Will Hayward (ankle) also suffered injuries at the Gabba, with their time on the sidelines still unclear.

Swans coach John Longmire all but admitted Papley was irreplaceable as a small forward who pinch hits in the midfield.

Former captain Luke Parker and star midfielder Isaac Heeney could be options to push deeper inside-50 while Papley recovers.

"It's like any any top-line player, you don't automatically replace them with like for like," Longmire said on Tuesday.

"We have to think through that and come up with a solution to that.

"We just have to adapt.

"Every team goes through some challenges at different times with key personnel missing.

"It'll be our opportunity to make the most of that challenge now so it's just part of football."

After sitting out the match against the Lions due to soreness, captain Callum Mills should return for Sunday's clash with the Western Bulldogs at the SCG in what would be just his second appearance of the season.

Winger Justin McInerney (knee) remains sidelined, while midfielder James Rowbottom (cheekbone) is pushing to return after also missing the clash in Brisbane.

"He did a drill (at training last) Thursday, he pulled up really well from that, but we didn't want to push him too hard," Longmire said of Mills.

"It gives him another week's training, which he's been able to do."

Despite losing three of their last four matches, the Swans still remain two games and significant percentage clear on top of the ladder with five matches remaining in the home-and-away season.

Longmire was joined at his Tuesday press conference by 2012 premiership player Sam Reid, who has retired, effectively immediately, following a torturous run with injury.

The injury-plagued tall, who was drafted in 2009, was pushing for a return after not appearing at AFL level since the 2022 grand final.

But an injury setback while playing for the Swans in the VFL at the weekend has forced Reid to call it quits after 181 games.

The 32-year-old put together one of his best seasons in 2022, but an injury during the preliminary final meant he was sore going into the decider against Geelong.

Reid's retirement means Parker is the only remaining member of the Swans' 2012 premiership team to still be playing.

Reid said that grand final upset of Hawthorn stands out as the on-field highlight.

"Since arriving from Victoria all those years ago I've grown up from a 17-year-old school kid to now having a wife and two kids of my own," Reid said.

"The club has looked after me and my family so well and I can't thank them enough for the opportunity I've been given.

"I will look back with so many great memories of playing here - the people I've been able to work with have been incredible and a big reason why I lasted 15 years."

Swans coach John Longmire hailed Reid's contribution through adversity, calling him a pleasure to lead.

"He has faced many challenges with injuries over the years, and his commitment and dedication to rehab has always been of a very high standard," Longmire said.

Australian Associated Press