Sydney celebrity Lance Franklin is on observe to characteristic towards Fremantle in what may very well be the champion goalkicker’s last AFL match in his residence state of Western Australia.
Franklin has struggled to search out continuity in what is probably going the final season of his adorned profession, hampered largely by a persistent knee concern.
But coach John Longmire expects the 36-year-old will play at Optus Stadium on Saturday night time.
If so, will probably be the primary time in two months Franklin has performed in three consecutive weeks.
The 352-game veteran’s trigger has been helped by the Swans’ nine-day break between matches after their nailbiting win over the Western Bulldogs final spherical.
“It gives us an extra few days’ break, which is important,” Longmire advised reporters on Monday.
‘If it was a six-day break then the state of affairs would most likely be a bit completely different.
“He actually trained today and trained pretty well, so that’s a good sign.
“If he does what he must do on Wednesday, and pulls up OK from right now’s session, he’ll be in line to play on the weekend.
“We can’t give any guarantees until we get to the game, but so far he looks OK.”
Originally from WAFL membership Perth, Franklin has an excellent document at Optus Stadium, the place he kicked eight targets towards West Coast within the venue’s first AFL match in 2018.
The document was equalled by former Eagles spearhead Josh Kennedy final yr and solely handed by Carlton’s Charlie Curnow (9) this season.
Franklin additionally kicked six targets towards Fremantle at Optus in 2021 and has 15 from three appearances there.
Chad Warner is also match to face the Dockers this week after lacking three matches with a calf pressure.
The robust midfielder’s return could be an enormous increase for Sydney as they search to proceed a late-season push in direction of the highest eight.
Longmire stated Angus Sheldrick was “touch and go” to play once more this season after present process ankle surgical procedure final week, whereas Lewis Melican will miss a number of video games with a hamstring harm.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
