Sydney Swans make call on star who was dropped from the team after clashing with teammate over an ex-girlfriend on a night out
- Sam Wicks recalled that the Sydney Swans were due to play West Coast
- The 24-year-old forward was ‘rested’ against Richmond’s last start at the MCG
- Accused of inappropriate behavior towards teammates’ ex-partner
- Wicks denies the accusation, with the club ruling that he was innocent of wrongdoing
The Sydney Swans have recalled Sam Wicks ahead of this weekend’s match with West Coast in Adelaide.
John Longmire’s men take on the Eagles at Adelaide Hills as part of Gather Round – and the coach played a straight bat when asked why Academy product Wicks did not feature in the last start defeat to Richmond at the MCG.
Wicks is believed to have acted inappropriately towards a teammate’s former partner – an accusation the forward denies.
Swans’ hierarchy reportedly investigated the matter and determined Wicks was innocent of any wrongdoing.
“He’s back with the whole playing group,” Longmire said.
The Sydney Swans have recalled Sam Wicks ahead of this weekend’s match with West Coast
Wicks is believed to have acted inappropriately towards a teammate’s former partner – an accusation the striker denies (pictured, after a goal against Collingwood)
Swans’ hierarchy reportedly investigated the matter and determined Wicks was innocent of any wrongdoing
“I’m not going to go into the details other than to say last week we decided to pick the team we felt would best go to Melbourne.
“Sam will be available for selection and we will see what that looks like.”
Speaking to Fox Footy on Monday, Longmire said off-field dramas involving playing groups are nothing new.
“Most of the things you’ve dealt with in football in my time have been non-football,” he said.
“That’s just one of those things you have to make sure you get through. We think we’ll get through that okay.
“We are mature enough to be able to work through that and get our focus on football.”
Wooden spoon favorites West Coast are struggling this season – and they will be out for revenge after the Bloods beat them by 171 points on a bad day for the club last year.
The Eagles have also become just the sixth team in AFL/VFL history not to win a quarter of their opening three games.