Sydney star Isaac Heeney says teammate Taylor Adams is nearing a return to full training after an interrupted pre-season.
Adams partially tore his Achilles tendon leading into the Christmas break, before he was involved in a nightclub altercation that left him knocked unconscious in January.
The former Magpie was at Sydney nightclub, Club Rose Bay, three weeks ago and was taken to St Vincent's Hospital via ambulance.
Heeney acknowledged the difficult times Adams has gone through to make himself available for the beginning of 2026.
"He's tracking good, he's tracking really good, yeah, he obviously had a bit of an Achilles problem, but he's back, he's nearly back to full training I think, which is nice," Heeney said.
"He'll drip feed into that and hopefully, yeah, play some games leading up, but he's flying around at the moment, he's fit, he's one of the hardest working blokes I've ever met, so, you know, yeah, he puts his head on the pillow at night, knowing he's given everything."
Swans CEO Matthew Pavlich reiterated Heeney's stance on the midfielder, saying he's building up towards playing football after the traumatic incident.
"It was a nasty incident, and we did support Taylor as best we could through that period," Pavlich said.
"Through that period, it was a tough one for him mentally. He's in good shape. Obviously rocked him when the incident happened, and he's worked his way through that.
"Physically, with his Achilles, he's on track. He's running. He's one that's further behind, clearly. But speaking to him, he's ready."
The Swans will head to the Whitten Oval to take on the Western Bulldogs next Thursday, before an official practice match against GWS at Henson Park.
The Bloods will kick off their 2026 campaign with an Opening Round clash against Carlton at the SCG, taking on former Sydney players Will Hayward and Ollie Florent for the first time.
