Sydney Swans fans have been urged to stay patient with multi-million dollar recruit Lance Franklin following an underwhelming debut for his new AFL club.
After kicking just two goals in his two pre-season games, the former Hawthorn spearhead booted just 1.1 in his first AFL game for Sydney in their shock 32-point opening-round loss to the Giants.
Franklin was well held by GWS co-captain Phil Davis and looked frustrated as he fumbled marks and was reduced to a peripheral figure.
Sydney midfielder Ben McGlynn, who has played more alongside Lance Franklin than any other Swans player, believes the superstar will blossom as he adapts to a new style of play.
“There’s going to be a lot of pressure on him to perform,” said McGlynn, who played 44 games for Hawthorn before moving to Sydney prior to the 2010 season.
“He was out-manned a few times last night.
“We probably used him on the wrong occasions, but we’ll find that balance.
“I’m sure that he’s a great player and he’s going to be a good presence for us.
“We’ve just got to get him up going and the frustration probably will be there for some games.”
The Swans, who started their pre-season a few weeks later than the Giants, looked off the pace in the final quarter in which the Giants kicked 6.4 to 0.5 to secure their first win in five Sydney AFL derbies.
Former Sydney ruckman Shane Mumford, who was influential in his Giants debut, backed his old club to rebound.
“They are a great side and I’m sure they will bounce back next round and come out flying again,” Mumford said.
“You won’t keep them down for long, that’s for sure.”
Fresh from signing a two-year contract extension last week, McGlynn wasn’t fazed by the unexpected loss and said Sydney would regroup for their next game at home to Collingwood.
“It’s definitely no time to panic, it’s a long season,” McGlynn said.
He offered no excuses for the Swans’ listless display, in which they kicked just three goals in the last three quarters.
“We definitely didn’t turn up and play the brand of footy that we’re known for and it’s very disappointing,” he said.
Tall utility Lewis Roberts-Thomson suffered a groin injury, while luckless defender Alex Johnson will require a third knee reconstruction in a year after lasting just ten minutes in his comeback in the reserves on Saturday.
