Essendon coach Ben Rutten’s dreams were dashed when Lance Franklin’s suspension was overturned

AFL coaches don’t get much peace during a season, and a dream Monday turned into a nightmare Tuesday for Essendon mentor Ben Rutten.

Sydney Swans star Lance Franklin loves playing against Essendon. Picture: Jono Searle/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

Essendon coach Ben Rutten had one good night’s sleep this week when Sydney superstar Lance Franklin copped a one-match suspension for an errant elbow against Fremantle.

But the nightmares returned the next afternoon when Franklin, who has kicked more goals against the Bombers than any other team in the AFL among his 983 career majors, was cleared on appeal.

Franklin has monstered Essendon, kicking 73 goals from 17 games – a haul that includes two bags of nine.

The perfect scenario for Rutten would have been to call on five-time All-Australian defender Alex Rance from the Essendon VFL side.

But the former Tiger’s appearance was a one-off, leaving Rutten the real task of trying to stop a player who lights up when he sees red and black jerseys around him.

“I slept a bit better for maybe one night,” Rutten said on Thursday.

Essendon Bombers coach Ben Rutten says the Swans are more than a Buddy Franklin team. Picture: Albert Perez/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

“But no, we want to see our good players playing and Buddy is one of those, but we‘re also well aware that the Swans are much more than a Buddy Franklin team.”

Essendon’s finals hopes go on the line after last week’s loss to GWS, and Rutten knows his team can’t afford to let Franklin get a hold of them.

James Stewart, who has been turned into a key defender in 2021, looms as the man to get the job of at least standing next to Franklin when the game begins.

“I think the way Jayden Laverde has been playing with James Stewart and Jordan Ridley, the mix of those three guys and the way they’ve been defending throughout the course of the season has been really pleasing,” Rutten said.

“Ideally, we get one player on him, but we know how dynamic Buddy is and if he goes up and plays up the ground more, we might have a bit of different strategy against that, but if he’s playing more of a deeper role, then I think Jayden Laverde or James Stewart, one of those guys, will probably spend a bit of time on him.

“I’m sure they’re going to be looking forward to playing against another dynamic forward line group in Sydney and Buddy will be one player in that, but we’re not going to put all our preparation into him.”

Lance Franklin needs 17 more goals for 1000. Picture: Michael Klein

Franklin kicked three goals in the Swans‘ three-point win over the Bombers in round four, one of a number of close results for Essendon that could prove telling at the end of round 23.

The Bombers sit ninth on the ladder, but their next two weeks – against the Swans and then Western Bulldogs – will shape their finals hopes.

Midfielder Kyle Langford is expected to be available after missing the past two weeks with a hamstring strain, and Rutten is also confident livewire forward Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti will fire after kicking five goals in the past seven games and none in the past two weeks.

“There’s no doubt the last few weeks he’s been probably a little bit below his best, but we’re really confident he’ll be able to get back there really quickly,” Rutten said.

“He has copped a few knocks and bumps over the last few weeks which will probably take some toll, but he’s fit and ready to go and we’re really looking forward to it,” Rutten said.

“I know he‘s keen to get back to some of his best form. The last few weeks there’s been some really good opportunities that he’s created that he maybe hasn’t quite finished in front of goal, and that’s been not only him but across the board.”

Originally published as Essendon coach Ben Rutten’s dreams were dashed when Lance Franklin’s suspension was overturned