Lance Franklin to miss Sydney AFL finals series clash with Fremantle due to ‘ongoing mental health condition’
SYDNEY Swans coach John Longmire has addressed the media after news club star Lance Franklin will miss Saturday’s clash with Fremantle due to an “ongoing mental health condition”.
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The Sydney Swans have been rocked by a finals eve bombshell with superstar forward Lance Franklin withdrawing from Saturday’s qualifying final against Fremantle in Perth with mental health issues.
Franklin is being treated for an ongoing unspecified mental health condition.
“It’s a serious condition that he needs to spend some time away from the football club,” Swans coach John Longmire said.
“He won’t be paying this week, how long that will take we will have to wait and see. Our thoughts are with Lance and we hope he’s going to be OK.
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“He’s getting the best possible care to address the condition he’s got and we’re confident he’ll be able to get better soon, we can’t put a time frame on it (his return).
“He wants people to know about it and understand what he is going through. It is serious but treatable.”
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In regards to this you need to put the football to one side. It is a challenge for him every day not just a football thing
John Longmire 
Longmire would not specify how long Franklin had been dealing with the condition.
“It’s been an ongoing condition for a while with Lance but these type of things are very private and you have to be mindful of that. Team mates , staff, coaches and the media and supporters have to be mindful of that.
“It’s a condition that is very treatable but it needs time to be able to address it.”
Longmire has been lobbying behind the scenes for a number of years for the AFL to address the issue of mental health among the players.
The Swans have had a consulting psychologist working with players and staff for several years.
“It’s something most people don’t have to have a press conference about and can deal with it in their own way,” Longmire said.
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“They can get on with their life and no one knows. If we had our choice and Lance did we’d like the same situation.”
“He wants people to know about it and to understand what he’s going through and we’d ask people to respect that fact. It’s something that is serious but treatable.”
Swans football manager Tom Harley said the club was doing everything possible to support Franklin through his illness.
“Our first priority is looking after Lance’s health,” he said.
“Lance has been open with the Club about his condition and while we consider it a private medical matter, he is aware he has our full support.
“The timeframe on his return is unclear at this stage. He will certainly miss this week’s match and we will continue to monitor his condition,” Harley said.
If you or anyone you know is struggling with any mental health concerns contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
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