John Longmire says he accepts Lance Franklin’s one-week ban was crucial so as to ship a message to guard gamers’ heads, because the Swans ponder going small to exchange him.
Franklin will miss the Swans’ recreation in opposition to former membership Hawthorn on Sunday afternoon after accepting the suspension for his excessive hit on Gold Coast defender Sam Collins.
Longmire wouldn’t be drawn on evaluating Franklin’s punishment to the Kysaiah Pickett and Shane McAdam incidents from spherical 1 however recommended the star ahead’s lesser ban was as a result of he didn’t have a option to deal with as an alternative of bump.
“I think as a general rule it’s important to note that if you’ve got the option to bump or tackle you’d much rather tackle – but in Lance’s situation on the weekend, he didn’t have that option,” Longmire stated.
“His initial thought was it was a bounce that went the wrong way, and both he and Collins were adjusted to that and then he braced for contact rather than bend down, so we accept the one week and move on.
“His was certainly different to the other bumps on the weekend … we support the fact the head needs protection, I think the education of players in that regard is really strong.”
Longmire stated Franklin had skilled properly on Wednesday and would have one other session on the weekend as he builds in the direction of a spherical 3 return.
“He trained really well today, he’ll train again on the weekend and be available next weekend we hope if everything goes well,” he stated.
Sydney was considering going smaller in opposition to Hawthorn, with premiership ahead Sam Reid nonetheless unavailable for an additional three weeks as a consequence of a glute criticism.
“We’re working through whether we go small or bring in a Joel Amartey-type player,” Longmire stated.
“Sam Reid won’t be available to play … Logan McDonald will play again this week – he’s an important player in our front half.”
Hayden McLean was launched because the substitute in the course of the ultimate quarter in opposition to Gold Coast, however there was no concern for ruckman Peter Ladhams, who was changed, Longmire stated.
“(Ladhams) is pretty important for us at the moment and he had some good time, so we thought we’d give Hayden McLean a go in the ruck – it was only for about 15 minutes,” he stated.
Longmire stated robust midfielder-forward Angus Sheldrick had stood out within the Swans’ VFL follow match, whereas fellow on-baller Matt Roberts and 209cm ruckman Lachlan McAndrew remained on the cusp of choice.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
