Lance Franklin fires with four goals in Sydney’s comfortable win over Brisbane

A COUPLE of weeks ago Lance Franklin said he felt like a 25-year-old and he played like one against Brisbane in their JLT clash, booting four goals to lead the Swans to a comfortable win.

Sam Reid tries to break a Ben Keays tackle. Picture: Getty Images

A COUPLE of weeks ago Lance Franklin said he felt like a 25-year-old and he played like one against Brisbane in their JLT clash, booting four goals to lead the Swans to a comfortable 55-point win.

The Coleman medallist hit the ground running at the Moreton Bay Central Sports Complex, scoring the opening goal and giving away the second to Tom Papley.

He added another two to open the scoring in the second term and when he hit James Rose lace-out he had a hand in all but one of the Swans’ six goals first half goals.

By the time he had his fourth, late in the third quarter, the Swans had the game completely in their control.

Buddy had plenty of scoreboard support from his band of small forwards led by Tom Papley and Rose who finished with three each and Sam Reid two.

Dane Rampe also led a miserly defence holding Brisbane to just five goals for the match with the last three coming in junk time late in the fourth term.

Lance Franklin booted four goals against the Lions. Picture: Getty Images

The only downside for the Swans were ankle injuries to Aliir Aliir and Callum Sinclair.

Aliir made a bright start but didn’t return to the field after quarter time while Sinclair fell awkwardly in a third quarter marking contest.

Sinclair’s injury looks to be the more serious.

But Sydney coach John Longmire was optimistic after the match.

“They’re walking around OK so that’s a good sign,” Longmire said.

“We didn’t want to risk them so we’ll have to wait and see what happens. The positive is they’re walking around OK.”

Sinclair looked distressed when he fell to the ground clutching his left ankle but Longmire said the ruckman has a history of ankle injuries and feared the worst.

“Callum’s rolled that ankle a couple of times,” he said. “He probably had some of that going through his mind. We hope it’s not too bad.”

Swans ruckman Callum Sinclair hurt his ankle. Picture: Getty Images

The Lions were without three key players, best and fairest Dayne Zorko, 34-year-old recruit Luke Hodge and skipper Dayne Beams, who was on compassionate leave after the passing of his father Philip.

But their performance was disappointing.

Stefan Martin dominated in the ruck and was clearly their best player.

Eric Hipwood looked dangerous at times and finished with two goals, as did Ben Keays.

Allen Christensen also did well as he continues to progress well in his return from injury.

After their horror 0-6 start it’s clear John Longmire is making sure his team are up and running from Round 1.

He put his strongest possible team on the park in last weekend’s practice match against GWS and did the same again against the Lions with Zak Jones, Heath Grundy, Jarrad McVeigh and Dan Hannebery the only players missing, all with calf injuries.

Grundy and Jones are expected to play next week in the JLT match against the Giants but Hannebery and McVeigh are both in doubt for Round 1 clash against West Coast.

Sam Naismith was a late withdrawal and was replaced by Darcy Cameron in the selected side.

Originally published as Lance Franklin fires with four goals in Sydney’s comfortable win over Brisbane