Sydney's Tom McCartin has reportedly been ruled out of their club's upcoming Round 10 clash with Carlton with concussion symptoms.
McCartin copped a massive knock to the head during Round 8's clash with GWS that subsequently saw him enter the mandatory protocols and be ruled out for a minimum of 12 days.
However, given his history and the lingering effects of the most recent concussion, the key defender will miss another week, according to journalist Daniel Garb.
Coach John Longmire said last week that McCartin was "feeling really good" but won't risk the long-term health of one of their stars.
"He's feeling really good, which is a real positive. He wasn't knocked out during the actual incident so that's a relief for everyone and he can recall everything that happened, and he's pulled up well," Longmire said.
"His recollection is really clear and he can remember everything. That's all we can go on for the moment. He's obviously in the protocols and we'll follow that but he's feeling okay."
McCartin has a history of concussions - with his brother Paddy forced to medically retire last season due to the amount of head trauma he had experienced - missing several games throughout 2020 and 2023.
Sydney brought in Aaron Francis to replace McCartin against Fremantle, who was serviceable in the 48-point defeat, amassing 16 possessions and eight marks.
However, the task for Round 10 poses vastly different as Carlton possesses two of the best key forwards in the competition: Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow.
With the absence of McCartin for this finals-like clash, Francis will have his work cut out for him while recruit Joel Hamling was brought in for depth and could be used to bolster the backline.
Despite the difficult looming assignment on Friday night at the SCG, the Swans - who shot to the top of the ladder over the weekend - will have supreme belief that they will get the job done despite the personnel missing from the line-up.