Sydney forced to rely on 19-year-old rookie amid injury crisis
Ally Morphett's season-ending knee injury joins absences for four other star players, forcing Sydney to deploy teenage draftees in key roles.
Sydney's injury crisis is severe. Coach Colin O'Riordan is rotating teenage player Maddie Quinn between key forward and ruck, the most demanding roles on the field.
Star ruckwoman Ally Morphett will miss the season with a knee injury. Players Alice Mitchell, Alex Neyland, and Brenna Tarrant are out with ACL injuries.
Midfielder Sofia Hurley is out for two months after ankle surgery. O'Riordan says Quinn and recruit Taylor Smith have stepped up well in their new positions.
But Quinn gets heavily bashed. The team may use forward Caitlin Reid, who has played once.
O'Riordan sees losses to top teams as valuable learning for a young group.
- 19
- Quinn's age
- Up to two months
- Hurley's sidelined duration
Why it mattersA depleted team relying on teenagers during the critical run into finals could determine how far Sydney progresses this season.
AustraliaSydney Swans supporters are watching their team navigate finals pressure while teenagers and rookies step into roles normally filled by experienced players.
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