AFL 2022: Lance Franklin could miss at least a month if specialists recommend surgery

The extent of Lance Franklin’s finger injury is still to be determined. But what happens if the 1000-goal superstar needs surgery? Get the latest on his injury.

Jon Ralph

@RalphyHeraldSun

6 min read

April 10, 2022 - 3:12PM

News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

Jack Ziebell celebrates one of his five Saturday afternoon goals.

North Melb

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Lance Franklin could miss at least a month of football with a broken finger if a specialist recommends surgery on Monday.

The Swans star attempted to tackle North Melbourne’s Josh Walker in the third term of Sydney’s comeback victory and instead suffered a fractured finger.

Respected sports medico Peter Larkins said in general terms most players would have a plate and screws inserted to stabilise the finger and aid a quicker recovery.

He said if the injury involved the finger joints – where the bones connect – it could easily be four to six weeks.

The Swans do not believe his finger tendon was compromised, with those kind of injuries sidelining players for 8-10 weeks.

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“He will have had an X-ray straight away so they will know where the break is. If it’s a break inside the joint they would use a pin or screw and it’s hard to play with that in any less than four weeks.”

Collingwood’s Josh Daicos missed six weeks with a broken finger last year.

Sydney at least has an array of key position forwards with Logan McDonald, Hayden McLean, Joel Amarty and Sam Reid.

Lance Franklin could miss a month with a broken finger. Picture: Getty Images

MATCH REPORT: ROOS BLOW GOLDEN CHANCE AS BUDDY GOES DOWN

Daniel Garb

Sydney remains unclear on how long legendary forward Buddy Franklin will be out for after he suffered a broken finger in the club’s relieving 11-point win over a gallant North Melbourne at the SCG.

The eight time All-Australian kicked two goals before being subbed out in the third quarter for the energetic Ben Ronke as the Swans were able to spare their blushes and snatch a last gasp win.

“Looks like he’s broken his finger so we’ll see what the specialist says on Monday. It’s a bit too early,” Swans coach John Longmire said.

Lance Franklin broke his finger and was subbed out in the third term. Picture: Matt King/AFL Photos

“He’s okay he doesn’t like missing footy but he just went into a tackle and hurt his finger.”

That made for a complete contrast to Franklin’s last visit to the SCG two weeks ago when he dobbed his 1000th goal and was mobbed in one of the greatest scenes in AFL history.

While all in red and white will be content in victory, they almost succumbed to what would have been the upset of the season and one that would have been tough to top, for the entirety of 2022.

North’s response after last week’s humiliating 108-point defeat to Brisbane helped restore some much-needed pride to the club with coach David Noble opening up on how they enhanced their performance during the week.

“We pulled the game apart and shifted our mentality in how we want to be seen and went to work,” he said.

“It wasn’t a flogging session we just committed to getting our hands dirty in contest, our hands dirty in work rate. The boys should be really pleased with where that sits today but that’s one game.

“We have a Good Friday game next week, we’d love our fans to come out and then deliver that again.”

Todd Goldstein and Jason Horne-Francis after the final siren. Picture: Matt King/AFL Photos

North’s near miraculous victory was inspired by captain Jack Ziebell who was shifted forward and responded by kicking five goals.

His first came from his own endeavour as he caught Nick Blakey holding the ball in the opening minute to set the tone for the Kangaroos early.

“He’s a terrific leader, I floated it to him early in the week I felt there was an opportunity for us to draw the ball a bit deeper this week,” Noble said.

“I was really pleased, he worked hard and I thought his contribution was huge not just as a forward but as a captain.”

Roos blow golden chance at boilover of the year

Sydney has narrowly avoided being the victims of the upset of the season, hanging on late for an 11-point win over a North Melbourne side who restored some much-needed pride with a tenacious display at the SCG.

The relieving victory came at a big cost though with Swans coach John Longmire confirming Buddy Franklin suffered a broken finger late in the game which forced him to be subbed out. He’ll be sent for scans on Monday with a time frame on his injury unknown.

A two goal margin at the final siren flattered the Swans, with the Kangaroos possessing the chance to win the contest inside the final minute.

Atu Bosenavulagi’s decision to go short to Todd Goldstein, rather than kick long into attack, when trailing by five points, however, allowed the Swans to win the ball back and then ice the game through Isaac Heeney’s second goal of the afternoon.

“He saw an open option. I understand what he’s trying to do. It’s too hard to pinpoint that one, the last three minutes without identifying Atu there were several chances to get the ball in deep,” Roos coach David Noble said.

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North Melbourne’s Atu Bosenavulagi is hit by a strong Sydney tackle. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

While that will leave North Melbourne heartbroken, in the cold light of day, Noble will be buoyed by his team’s response to the 108-point humiliation in Brisbane last week.

Over four quarters against one of the gun teams in the competition, the Kangaroos were far more daring in possession going forward and delivered elite pressure that had Sydney on the back foot for much of the contest in front of their own fans.

And it was their skipper who inspired them with Jack Ziebell kicking five goals and then delivering a magnificent over the shoulder handball for Kayne Turner to goal late in the game, which had many thinking an unfathomable result was on the cards.

“A little bit of relief for us because we didn’t play well in that first half and we didn’t have the energy that North Melbourne were showing,” Swans coach John Longmire said post-match.

“When we hit our stride in the last quarter we were able to get the game back on our terms.”

Reigning best-and-fairest winner Jy Simpkin excelled in the midfield with 32 disposals, Luke McDonald and Aaron Hall were instrumental across half-back, while number one draft pick Jason Horne-Francis had his best game as a Kangaroo with 23 possessions and five tackles, playing almost exclusively on-ball.

Trailing by seven points at three-quarter-time, Sydney’s response came very late and it was Justin McInerney who helped get them back into the game on his return from injury as he finished with 30 touches, most of which came in the second half.

Justin McInerney celebrates his crucial final quarter goal. Picture: Matt King/AFL Photos

Luke Davies-Uniacke and Tristan Xerri after the final siren. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Callum Mills fought hard all game as well to finish with 28 possessions and, while the Swans usual match-winner in Heeney was quiet for most of the game, he did stand up late with two final quarter goals to spare the Swans blushes.

Roo response

After being humiliated last week against Brisbane, the Kangaroos had to show some of that famous Shinboner spirit of yesteryear and it was their skipper Ziebell who helped inspire them at the start with a big tackle on Nick Blakey in the opening minute. He pinged the Swans flyer holding the ball, deep in defence and then kicked the opening goal en route to three majors in the opening half. It set the tone for his side’s effort, instantly.

Looking at Ladhams

With ruckman Tom Hickey out for six weeks with a knee injury, plenty eyes were on Swans prized recruit Peter Ladhams in his first game for the club after being traded from Port. It was a slow start for the big man, though, as Tristan Xerri and Todd Goldstein had the better of him throughout the game in a sign of just how big the shoes of Hickey are to fill in Sydney.

Franklin’s change of fortunes

The last time he was at the ground, Buddy Franklin created one of the best scenes ever seen at the SCG as he dobbed his 1000th goal and was then mobbed. It was the ultimate contrast this week, though, as he left the ground early with a finger injury and was replaced by the energetic Ben Ronke.