The Swans’ ruck stocks have taken a heavy hit going into the finals after Peter Ladhams was suspended for three-matches following a crude and unnecessary clash in the reserves on Saturday.
Ladhams, who hasn’t played in the AFL since round 17 due to a broken thumb, was charged with rough conduct after he flattened Casey’s Taj Woewodin off the ball.
Peter Ladhams has been suspended after steamrolling an opponent in a VFL finals fixture.Credit:Channel Seven
The incident was judged to be high impact and high contact, which would result in a four-match ban. It can be downgraded to three games if he accepts an early guilty plea.
Ladhams’ absence leaves the Swans exposed should leading ruckman Tom Hickey go down with injury in what has already been an interrupted season for the big man.
The loss of Ladhams comes as lively small forward Tom Papley looks set to line up in Friday night’s qualifying final against reigning premiers Melbourne at the MCG.
The pre-finals bye could not have been more welcome for the Swans, allowing Papley to serve the 12-day concussion protocols without missing a match after being subbed out of the Swans’ last regular season game against St Kilda.
Tom Papley celebrates a goal during the Swans’ come from behind victory against Melbourne earlier in the seasonCredit:Getty Images
Originally, there was speculation that Melbourne and the Swans would play on the Thursday night but after a delay in announcing the final schedule, the AFL listed the Richmond-Brisbane elimination final clash as the opening match, allowing Papley the required break to be able to play.
Swans co-captain Callum Mills is delighted.
“It helps with Paps coming back, so I think that was a huge bonus,” Mills said on Monday.
“If you ask Paps, he’s the biggest fan in the world of [the pre-finals bye], but we’re lucky in that instance.”
For Ladhams, it was the second needless ban the 24-year-old has incurred this year after transferring from Port Adelaide during the off-season.
He was suspended for punching ex-Port Adelaide teammate Ollie Wines earlier this year during a 10-minute spell of madness against his old side.
Swans coach John Longmire benched him and Fox Footy commentator Mark Ricciuto claimed the behaviour was why the Power let him go.
Longmire later said that Ladhams had “let the moment get to him a little” in his first clash against his old club but was clearly misguided in his hopes that Ladhams would learn from the incident.
The Swans are looking to atone from last season’s sudden finals exit to the unfancied GWS Giants.
The Swans lost to the Giants by a point in last year’s final at Launceston.Credit:Getty Images
Despite the match featuring two Sydney teams it was played in Launceston because of Covid restrictions.
“We’re in our own beds, which is a bit different from last year. We’re not in a hub,” Mills said.
“The situation is completely different and I think there’s just an excitement about it [the finals].
“We had obviously missed out on two years [of finals] and we were pretty bummed about that, but to have the experience of last year and the boys got a taste for it, I think everyone’s really hungry going in this week.
“It’s going to be a contested, hard style of footy.”
The Swans beat Melbourne at the MCG midway through the season, but Mills played down the significance of that victory.
The Swans beat Melbourne in round 12.Credit:Getty Images
“It was a fair while ago now. Melbourne has been playing really good footy the last month,” Mills said.
“We like playing at the MCG, so we’re keen to get down there and have a crack against Melbourne. They’re a seriously quality side and they’ve had good experience in September.”
Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.
