AFL: Sydney Swans forward Lance Franklin’s bid to beat his striking charge postponed until Wednesday
The Swans remain hopeful of clearing Lance Franklin to play against Melbourne on Saturday night but the hearing won’t go ahead on Tuesday.
AFL
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A decision on whether Lance Franklin beats his one-game striking ban won’t be made until Wednesday evening after the Swans requested extra time.
Sydney’s legal counsel, Duncan Miller SC, was unavailable on Tuesday and club officials sought AFL approval for the tribunal case to be held at 5pm on Wednesday instead.
Swans coach John Longmire revealed on Monday they would challenge the ‘intentional’ part of Franklin’s charge in the hope of clearing him to play against reigning premier Melbourne on Saturday night.
Match review officer Michael Christian offered the superstar forward a one-match suspension for striking Richmond’s Trent Cotchin, deeming the contact to be intentional, low impact and high.
The incident occurred late in the second quarter of Sydney’s come-from-behind victory at the SCG last Friday night.
“We’re just going to challenge the MRO view that it was an intentional strike,” Longmire said.
“There’s not much more I can say outside of that at the moment.
“I think his focus, generally, is on us winning and he’s a real competitor. I was disappointed that the free kick was given away, in that case.
“But, generally, he’s a real competitor who loves to win and really sets a good example for our team.”
The Demons will be without All-Australian defender Steven May (concussion), making Franklin’s playing status even more important.
It would be the seventh suspension of the champion 35-year-old’s career if he was unsuccessful at the tribunal.
Originally published as AFL: Sydney Swans forward Lance Franklin’s bid to beat his striking charge postponed until Wednesday
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