The Sydney Swans announced today that defender Nick Smith has been placed on the clubs' long-term injury list, following a long layoff as he continues to recover from a hamstring tendon injury.
The 30-year-old injured his hamstring in the first quarter of Sydney's Round 21 match against Melbourne last year.
Originally classed a 6-week hamstring tendon injury, Smith is now at risk of missing the entire 2019 season, after suffering multiple setbacks.
"Nick's got a hamstring tendon injury, at this early stage it looks like six weeks for Nick which obviously makes the season challenging," Harley said.
"He had a scan yesterday, we'll gather all of the facts as to the next steps with Nick.
“Clearly it was disappointing he wasn't able to play any further part in the game on Sunday and it looks like he'll be having an extended period on the sidelines also."
Out of contract at the end of the season, Smith has been unable to return to full training, and recently underwent surgery to remove scar tissue on his hamstring, which had been inhibiting his movement.
According to AFL rules (page 111), Smith will be eligible to play again in Round 14, but is expected to miss anywhere from 8 weeks to 14 weeks, depending on the severity of re-injury, and remodelling of the hamstring muscle groups to remove the scar tissue.
Forward Lance Franklin has been ruled out of Sydney's Round 9 clash against North Melbourne on Saturday, after suffering a setback in the Swans' final training session on Thursday last week.
Initially expected to miss just the week for a 'minor' hamstring strain, Franklin has now missed four matches and is an outside chance to play in Round 10.
Ruckman Sam Naismith's return is still unclear, having undergone knee arthroscopy surgery 6 weeks ago on the same knee he suffered an ACL rupture on, back in March 2018.
Naismith experienced soreness in the knee as he ramped up his training load.
The Sydney Swans have not disclosed a return date for Sam Naismith, Heath Grundy or Nick Smith.
| Player | Injury | Time | Sam Reid | Hip | Test |
| Lance Franklin | Hamstring | 1-2 Weeks |
| Jarrad McVeigh | Quad | 4-6 Weeks |
| Harry Cunningham | Adductor | 6-8 Weeks |
| Sam Naismith | Knee | Indefinite |
| Nick Smith | Hamstring | Indefinite |
| Heath Grundy | Back | Indefinite |
| Darcy Cameron | Calf | Indefinite |
| Durak Tucker | Knee | Indefinite |
| Jack Maibaum | Knee | Season |
Sydney Swans Injury Update - AFL Injury List
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