Maxfield hopeful

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  • SWANSBEST
    On the Rookie List
    • Jan 2003
    • 868

    Maxfield hopeful

    Maxfield hopeful
    By TIM MORRISSEY
    25jul03
    STUART Maxfield has been included in the Swans list to play Fremantle at the SCG on Sunday, but the Sydney captain admits there are no guarantees he will play.

    The 31-year-old midfielder has to pass a fitness test today on his injured right knee, which is likely to require surgery at the end of the season.

    Maxfield yesterday remained optimistic of his chances after getting through a light run.

    But he is playing a waiting game for the important Dockers clash.

    "Hopefully it should be right but I have to get through training [today] . . . then we'll know if I'm playing," Maxfield said.

    "The knee is probably better than what we first thought but the actual problem is still a bit unknown unless you [surgically] go in there and have a look and find out exactly what's going on.

    "But it's all pretty positive at the moment."

    Maxfield missed the last 10 games of the 2002 Swans season after undergoing arthroscopy to mend a chip to the joint surface inside his knee.

    When asked if he was already anticipating having post-season surgery, Maxfield replied: "Possibly, but I'm not too sure.

    "It's not a tendon strain, if anything there's been some sort of damage to surface inside my knee."

    Sunday's Fremantle clash is looming as one of the most important games of the season for the second-placed Swans, who have won 11 of their 16 matches and only need one more win to guarantee their ticket to the finals.

    Since the league introduced the top-eight finals format back in 1994, only two teams have missed out on playing football in September after posting 12 wins, and that was Richmond in '94 and '98.

    The Swans have been able to cover for Maxfield's absence this season with wins over Carlton and St Kilda.

    "It's always disappointing when you get injured and have to miss a couple of games," Maxfield said.

    "You'd like to pretty much get through the season unscathed.

    "But I think it's been great the way the rest of guys on this team stand up every time someone gets injured.

    "We are able to bring someone into the side and get the job done."

    However, with a tough run to the finals ahead, starting with the in-form Fremantle followed by Adelaide, Hawthorn, Brisbane Lions, Collingwood and Melbourne, the Swans would love to have Maxfield's courage and leadership on the field.

    If Maxfield does get through today's fitness test, he's likely to come in for Jarrad Sundqvist. If not, the 20-year-old midfielder should keep his spot again this week.

    Promising young forward Scott Stevens, who has been excelling in the seconds, replaces the injured Ryan O'Keefe, who sustained a calf muscle strain in the previous round against Carlton at Optus Oval.
    WMP
  • dimelb
    pr. dim-melb; m not f
    • Jun 2003
    • 6889

    #2
    If there's any doubt, save Maxi for later. There are more important clashes ahead than the Dockers. And it's good to see Stevens get another go - this is another young bloke worth persisting with.
    He reminds him of the guys, close-set, slow, and never rattled, who were play-makers on the team. (John Updike, seeing Josh Kennedy in a crystal ball)

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