Goodes set for return against Suns

Sydney Swans coach John Longmire expects big-name players Adam Goodes, Kieran Jack and Rhyce Shaw to return for the third round of the NAB Cup.

Sydney Swans veteran Adam Goodes with prized recruit Kurt Tippett. Picture: Michael Dodge. Source: Getty Images

CO-CAPTAIN Adam Goodes will headline a list of welcome inclusions for Sydney on the weekend, as coach John Longmire looks to juggle the playing time of some of the pillars of the Swans' premiership defence.

Goodes trained well yesterday and will make his first appearance since his 2012 Grand Final knee injury when the Swans host Gold Coast at Blacktown on Saturday night.

The dual Brownlow Medallist, who spent all summer recovering from a torn PCL, and Rhyce Shaw (calf) will play their first pre-season matches.

Nick Malceski and Shane Mumford could possibly do the same but it is the return of Goodes - the champion who turned 33 in January - that is expected to play only a half against the Suns, that will excite red-and-white faithful the most.

"He has been training really well the past few weeks," Longmire said of the 319-game veteran, who will turn out for his 16th season with the Swans.

"He won't play the whole game, but he'll come in and hopefully get some quality game time under his belt.

"He'll play a half of football this week, hopefully, and then we'll look to give him more game time next week."

Rebounding defenders Nick Smith (knee) and Marty Mattner (hip) will again miss out, but the pair could return next week as they look to prove they are match fit for the Swans' Round 1 clash with Greater Western Sydney on March 30.

"A lot will depend on the next couple of weeks at training, but we're not looking at that just yet," Longmire said of the duo's chances of playing in Round 1.

The injuries, coupled with the Swans' later start to pre-season training due to their premiership success, has made for a difficult start to 2013.

"We've really been limited by some injuries and players coming back into the team, and some little niggles that we've had over the last couple of weeks," Longmire said of his charges, who have dropped their first three pre-season games.

" It's a challenge, but it's a challenge other teams cope with as well.

"So it's not unusual.

"It's just a matter of making sure we maximise all of our training and game time, and that's what we intend to do.

"We think we'll be right by Round 1 - and we've got to be."

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