Sydney on-baller Justin McInerney is eyeing a return from a serious hamstring injury in Round 23 against Essendon as he hits the halfway mark of his rehab.
McInerney was downed in the Swans' Round 13 narrow win over St Kilda when he pushed hard towards the ball in the second term. Despite jogging off, and "felt pretty good", scans revealed something much more sinister, putting a dampener on a career-best season.
The 8-10 week recovery timeline has been gruesome, but the smooth-moving midfielder is now pushing towards 70 percent intensity.
"I'm five weeks down, and the goal is five to go," McInerney said.
"I'm running now. I'm at about mid-60s (per cent intensity) and hoping to hit 70 per cent today.
"I'm tracking along and banking some 9km sessions at a lower intensity, just getting the Ks in the legs so that when I come back, I'm ready to go."
McInerney is confident the Bombers clash will be his return game, but is aware soft-tissue rehabilitations aren't always linear, and is open-minded to a Round 24 match-up with North Melbourne.
"Soft tissue injuries are a bit different; they play a bit more on your mind," he said.
"With the end goal of finals coming up, it makes it a little bit tougher. But with the support network and the physios we have at the club, they do a great job of giving you confidence that when you get back, you'll be ready to go, and it will be very strong."
While he's been sidelined, McInerney has been spending time on the bench, helping out the coaching staff with delivering messages as well as his teammates.
The Swans sit six points clear of Hawthorn in second position after losing to Fremantle last week. They'll host Adelaide at the SCG on Friday.
