The rumours swirling about Swans star Lance Franklin have angered his club

ADAM Goodes has paid tribute to Swans teammate Lance “Buddy” Franklin, whose name has been dragged through the mud.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 30: Lance Franklin of the Swans captures his breath during the round 22 AFL match between the St Kilda Saints and the Sydney Swans at Etihad Stadium on August 30, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

LANCE “Buddy” Franklin’s name has been dragged through the mud since stepping away from football.

His club is behind him all the way.

Sensational rumours Franklin had an affair with a teammate’s partner have been shot down by the Sydney Swans.

The 28-year-old Swans forward is being rested for the remainder of the season as he continues to deal with mental health issues, according to the club.

The nature of Franklin’s shock decision to take an indefinite break from the game sparked a number of rumours that claim Franklin’s decision to walk away was not solely the result of a mental illness.

Retiring star Adam Goodes, who has been through his fair of share of controversy this season, threw his support behind Franklin at Swans training on Thursday morning.

Awesome to see @adamroy37 in the #23 this morning at training. #ProudlySydney pic.twitter.com/UkqrkpDTZa

— Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) September 17, 2015

Swans general manager of football Tom Harley hit out at the Buddy rumours, saying they are completely false.

“We were really transparent last week and almost we were compelled to be in regards to the mental health issues that Lance has got and also the epilepsy and there’s nothing further to add,” Harley told Sky Sports Radio.

Lance Franklin has the support of Sydney Swans.

“Unfortunately, this time of year being a high-profile player, there is a lot of scuttlebutt and I can pour cold water on all of that. It’s absolute rubbish and it’s really unsavoury to be honest.

“We really do need to be respectful of the situation at the moment. People need to respect that the club’s been really transparent and honest since it came to hand last week. There’s nothing further to add.”

Harley said the club has never felt the need to address the prospect Franklin’s issues could be a long-term problem.

“Mental health, particularly is really prevalent,” he said.

“In fact the AFL playing group mirrors society. I know the AFL and the AFL Players Association are doing a lot of work around that.

“The debate is mirroring society in the rates of mental health. A good result? Probably not, considering the amount of resources and attention that the code puts into it.

“Lance isn’t unique in this situation, so from the internal playing point of view it’s all about getting him right.

Lance Franklin will be back next season.

“You can look at it in black and white terms that it’s an injury that’s forcing him not to be available for selection. We don’t see any long term issues with Lance at all. It’s just the immediacy of the next couple of weeks.”

Harley said Franklin is receiving care from within the club and through his family and friends.

“I won’t go into the specifics of it other than to say he’s got all the care and support that he needs both externally and internally,” he said.

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire this morning said fans need to give Franklin space to deal with his mental health.

“Let’s be honest, we’ve heard them all [the rumours],” McGuire told Triple M Hot Breakfast.

“We’ve heard the mail on everything that Buddy was doing, all sorts of things. You name anything that could be salacious in regards to this situation and it’s been alleged.

“I don’t really care if things are happening behind the scenes, the guy is crook at the moment. Let’s have some space. We’ve got plenty of good football to talk about at the moment, so let’s park Buddy Franklin for the moment and we’ll get to that story in due course.”

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said there was nothing more to Franklin’s medical problems than what has been made public.

“I feel I have enough information — you don’t know everything and I’m not trying to sound outraged,” McLachlan told Fox Footy’s AFL360.

“I feel confident enough that this issue is as described and please give him the space he needs to deal with it because it’s unbelievably tough.”

Swans chairman Andrew Pridham dismissed the rumours and told The Herald Sun Franklin will “be back bigger and better next year”.

He also stressed there is nothing untoward with Buddy’s leave of absence despite a number of rumours about the former Hawthorn premiership player using illicit substances and prescription drugs.

Speaking in Sydney on Thursday, Franklin’s fiancee Jesinta Campbell said Buddy was “great, thank you”.

“He’s got the best support around him and we’re so grateful to everyone who has reached out to us and he’s getting the best help possible and he’ll be back before we know it,” she said.

Originally published as The rumours swirling about Swans star Lance Franklin have angered his club