Lance Franklin injury: Sydney forward out for up to four weeks with knee problem

Sydney has had a flying start to the season, but the long injury layoff expected for superstar Lance Franklin could slow the Swans’ roll.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 17: Lance Franklin of the Swans celebrates kicking a goal during the round five AFL match between the Sydney Swans and the Greater Western Sydney Giants at Sydney Cricket Ground on April 17, 2021 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/AFL Photos/Getty Images)

Lance Franklin’s rollercoaster season is on ice again, with a right knee injury sustained during Saturday night’s loss to the Giants set to sideline him for the next month.

The champion Swan had kicked his fourth goal only minutes before he locked knees with young GWS defender Connor Idun, who was charging towards him from the other direction.

Franklin was noticeably limping afterwards but never left the field and recovered to kick his fifth major in the final term, but scans have since determined he suffered bone bruising in the incident.

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Lance Franklin and Connor Idun collide at the SCG.

It’s a tough blow for Franklin and Sydney, given he’s been in great touch – kicking 11 goals in three matches – and it’s unrelated to the series of soft-tissue injuries that have held him back.

Making matters worse is that in-form big man Tom Hickey could miss eight weeks with a posterior cruciate ligament setback from a ruck contest shortly before Franklin’s one.

They join key pair Isaac Heeney (broken hand) and Dane Rampe (broken finger) in being out, but coach John Longmire said James Rowbottom (knee) would return after a week in the VFL.

Franklin was confident he could be back within a fortnight, but medical staff will tread more cautiously with the club’s prized possession, Longmire said.

“We didn’t know what it was (at the time) and didn’t have the benefit of having a scan during the course of the game,” Longmire said of the 34-year-old.

The collision leaves its mark.

He know he’s in a bit of trouble.

“He said it was OK. It initially really hurt, then the adrenalin (kicked in).

“It was only yesterday it got sore … that’s what tends to happen most of the time. It’s not until afterwards you realise something is there.”

Hayden McLean and Callum Sinclair are among the leading options to replace Franklin and Hickey, respectively, but Longmire stopped short of publicly rubber-stamping their selection.

He also didn’t rule out resting some of his young players after an impressive start to the season.

Longmire was generally unconcerned about Franklin’s situation, saying it was “what happens in football” and that the reinforcements needed to be ready to step in.

Buddy has been in superb form in recent weeks.

“It’s unfortunately just a collision-type injury that you can’t do much about,” he said.

“Hopefully, it’ll be just a few weeks and he gets going again, but you’ve got to roll with the punches a bit.

“That’s what happens in the game and we need to make sure we treat it as such.”

Franklin missed all of last year with a serious right hamstring tear, then sat out of Round 1 this year because of a pre-season calf issue and was rested in Round 3 as the Swans take a long-term view.

Originally published as Lance Franklin injury: Sydney forward out for up to four weeks with knee problem