In a surprising turn of events, Sydney has been struck by a challenging injury setback involving one of its promising young recruits. Max King, an academy standout for the Swans, is set to be sidelined for a substantial six-month period due to a stress fracture in his back, a situation that the team confirmed on Wednesday. This injury will unfortunately keep him out of action for the majority of the 2025 season.
Immediately following this diagnosis, the Swans indicated that King would begin his rehabilitation process, although he won't be able to run for some time as he focuses on recovery. Leon Cameron, the football boss of the Swans, shared the disappointing news, stating, "Max had been feeling some discomfort in his back, and the scans revealed that he has sustained a stress injury in his lower spine. While this is undoubtedly disheartening for Max as a young player, we believe in his work ethic and commitment to return to full fitness as quickly as possible."
Although King was not initially expected to make the starting lineup early in the season, he had recently caught the attention of observers with a thrilling three-goal performance in a recent match simulation. Drafted by Sydney with Pick 49 last year after they matched Adelaide’s bid, King is a product of the Swans' academy and has always looked up to Isaac Heeney.
Known for his extraordinary athleticism, King is a formidable forward with strong aerial abilities and exceptional ball handling skills. His potential at the AFL level is truly remarkable; he recorded an impressive vertical leap of 80 cm during the 2025 national combine, surpassing the next best result by 5 cm. Additionally, he achieved an equal-fourth place standing in the running vertical jump at 89 cm and ranked tenth in the 20m sprint with a time of 2.929 seconds.
In other news from the AFL, Collingwood coach Craig McRae was recently granted additional time off after returning to the club just last week as he prepares for his fifth season at the helm. According to SEN’s Sam Edmund, this decision follows a similar pattern with Geelong’s coach Chris Scott, who was also allowed extra time to prepare for the upcoming challenging season. During this period, assistant coaches have taken over to manage the pre-season training programs, reflecting a growing trend among clubs to prioritize the longevity and well-being of their coaching staff.
Edmund mentioned on X, "There’s a movement among several clubs aimed at safeguarding the long-term health of their coaching leaders." Scott, who has been leading Geelong since 2011, has recently secured a contract extension through 2029 as he guides the Cats in their pursuit of another championship after last season's grand final appearance. Meanwhile, McRae signed a new deal with Collingwood that ensures his position at Olympic Park until at least the conclusion of the 2028 season.
As the Gold Coast Suns gear up for their much-anticipated 2026 campaign, they are experimenting with player positions, allowing numerous players to try out new roles. A notable shift includes moving defender Wil Powell into a midfield position as he enters his eighth season in the AFL. According to Suns assistant coach Josh Drummond, the coaching team believes Powell can enhance their midfield dynamic. Drummond humorously acknowledged the change, saying, "I see a little tear forming in my eye here," highlighting his enjoyment in coaching Powell as he transitions from defense.
Drummond emphasized Powell's physical playing style and his ability to excel both offensively and defensively. "As a midfielder, he’ll be engaging in more contests, which is generally a good thing. He puts his all into every play and possesses an outstanding ability to compete and apply pressure, along with being an elite ball handler."
On the same note, Lachie Weller joined Powell in the midfield, though he expressed uncertainty about whether this arrangement would continue throughout the season. Weller noted, "We have a lot of depth in various areas, so we’re simply aiming to get some experience in different roles. I spent time in the midfield today—‘Powelly’ did too—we're just trying to mix things up a bit and distribute responsibilities as the season unfolds."
Additionally, 202 cm forward/ruck Ethan Read has been spotted training on the wing. Despite his height, Read possesses impressive endurance, having clocked a remarkable time of 5:56 in a 2 km time trial during the 2023 national draft combine. His skills and reflexes mirror those of a refined midfielder. Weller added, "What is he, around 200 cm? And yet he runs incredibly fast! He brings a unique dimension to our midfield group, and he’s been performing excellently."
Furthermore, dual All-Australian Touk Miller has made the move to half-forward, while top-10 draftees Zeke Uwland and Dylan Patterson have also been practicing with the defense, with Uwland additionally spending time on the wing.
These developments indicate an exciting period of transition and experimentation for the teams involved as they prepare for the upcoming season.
