Robbie Fox's grand final photo back in spotlight as Taylor Adams suffers more AFL heartbreak

Robbie Fox has been entrusted with replacing Callum Mills in the Swans' team for their AFL preliminary final, just 12 months after copping backlash from Sydney fans for wearing a Collingwood jumper at the grand final. The Swans have gone with Fox ahead of Taylor Adams in another devastating blow for the former Magpies player.

Adams missed the grand final last year because of injury, and then requested a trade from Collingwood to Sydney. It was thought he'd get more playing time in the midfield at the Swans, but it hasn't worked out that way and he's fallen right out of favour.

As for Fox, his selection marks a curious turn of events after he drew the ire of Swans fans last year when he was spotted wearing a Collingwood guernsey at the grand final. Fox is good mates with Magpies player Brody Mihocek, and donned the Collingwood colours to show his support.

But many felt it was a bad look for an AFL player to be wearing the guernsey of a rival team, particularly while still under contract. Broadcaster Jim Wilson - a big Swans fan - was among the many to question Fox's decision.

"You can support your mate without wearing an opposition jumper, pretty naive to say the least," Wilson wrote on social media. Some argued it was nice to see the Swans player putting allegiances aside to show his support for a good mate, but others agreed it wasn't a good look.

One fan wrote: "It's fine to support a mate but as long as Fox is on the Swans payroll the only guernsey he should wear is the Swans." However another commented: "No reflection on his allegiance or dedication. More a reflection on his character, it shows him in a good light! A good mate who can wholeheartedly support someone and enjoys their success even when it's the same success that you want to achieve."

Taylor Adams suffers more heartache after grand final miss

Fox won the race to take Mills' spot for Friday night's contest against Port Adelaide at the SCG after the skipper strained his left hamstring at training last week. It means more finals heartbreak for Adams, who was squeezed out of the Sydney side by several returning stars earlier this month.

Adams moved to Sydney in search of more midfield minutes this season, having played in Collingwood's losing grand final in 2018 and missing out on last year's premiership with a hamstring injury. The 30-year-old was reduced to tears as Collingwood players celebrated their triumph last year, and was left heartbroken that he wasn't a part of it.

Adams has fallen so far down the pecking order that he wasn't even included on the emergency list for the Swans' clash with Port. According to leading reporter Sam Edmund, Adams was left highly "frustrated" by the decision.

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Charlie Dixon and Tom Stewart return for preliminary finals

Meanwhile, Port have recalled veteran forward Charlie Dixon to replace Todd Marshall (concussion), and Ryan Burton has overcome a calf problem that saw him miss the Power's semi-final win over Hawthorn. Burton replaces two-game teenager Will Lorenz, who was the substitute against the Hawks.

Geelong have also made a change to their side to take on Brisbane at the MCG on Saturday, with Tom Stewart returning from a hamstring issue and illness. Sam De Koning has been overlooked along with veterans Tom Hawkins and Cam Guthrie.

with AAP