Injury-hit Swans brace for AFL finals hopefuls Bulldogs

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Injury-hit Swans brace for AFL finals hopefuls Bulldogs

No Tom Papley, no Dane Rampe, no James Rowbottom – no worries.

Injury-hit Sydney are confident they have the depth to overcome a late-season lull and dent the Western Bulldogs’ top-eight hopes in the process.

The ladder-leading Swans have lost three of their last four matches and return home to the SCG on Sunday licking their wounds after a nail-biting two-point defeat to Brisbane.

Star forward Papley is unlikely to feature again in the home-and-away season after sustaining a medial ankle ligament injury at the Gabba, while defensive stalwart Rampe (low-grade calf strain) will be out for up to two weeks.

James Rowbottom (cheekbone) and Justin McInerney (knee) are also still sidelined.

But captain Callum Mills is back for his second game of the season after a week out and forward Sam Wicks has been recalled, leaving utility Robbie Fox confident his side will be able to cope with the injuries.

“We’ve been blessed this year to have so many midfielders, so a couple of boys might be out of the team, but we’ve got boys coming back in and can play different roles,” Fox said.

The Swans face a talented Bulldogs outfit that have beaten top-four fancies Carlton and Geelong in consecutive weeks, bringing them within reach of the top eight with five rounds left to play.

Marcus Bontempelli, Adam Treloar and Ed Richards were outstanding in the contest as the ninth-placed Dogs handed the Cats a 47-point smacking last round.

“It was very impressive, but no surprise really,” Fox said.

“They’ve got an amazing midfield … and then up forward they’ve got all that star power. Their backs are very assertive and have a lot of run and dash.”

Despite their recent losses, the Swans remain two games clear on top of the ladder and have a chance to extend the gap following Carlton’s defeat on Friday night.

“We’ve had some close ones but if you look at it, we’ve lost by a kick every game,” Fox said of recent defeats to Brisbane (two points), St Kilda (two points) and Fremantle (one point).

“We’ve had a chance every game.

“We’d like to get wins but we’re lucky enough at the moment that these losses aren’t hurting us yet.”

Fox will line up for his 100th AFL game on Sunday, eight years after being drafted as a rookie in 2016.

The 31-year-old says he’ll be fighting against the Bulldogs like it’s his last game.

“My journey has been a bit different. Getting drafted at 23, one-year contracts pretty much every year,” Fox said.

“Every year I’m thinking what’s next after footy because every year could be my last. I enjoy every game like it could be my last.

“I’m very grateful for them just giving me a chance. I probably didn’t warrant a chance. They just saw something in me.”

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