Lance Franklin failed to play any part in the final quarter of Sydney’s win over Essendon but a corked thigh won’t sideline him from Friday’s AFL semi-final against Geelong.
Franklin limped to the bench during the first quarter of the SCG elimination final, had his right leg strapped then spent most of the quarter on an exercise bike.
Franklin had just one kick during the first term but finished the first half with four goals, with the Swans booting 10 goals to bust the game open during a lopsided second quarter.
The four-time Coleman medallist was put on ice at three-quarter time but coach John Longmire indicated he could have played if the game was in the balance.
Longmire added Franklin is in no doubt of missing the knock-out clash with the Cats, while captain Josh Kennedy expressed similar sentiments.
“The fact he went out and continued to play, I’ve got a fair bit of confidence in him,” Kennedy told Fox Footy.
“The fact he was able to play out the game (is positive).
“He’s a real competitor and has a history of playing pretty well under injury.”
Ruckman Sam Naismith was also full of praise for Franklin’s capacity to play so well under duress.
“He always seems to find a way,” Naismith said.
“He’s a special talent. I don’t think anyone needs reminding of that.”
The Swans’ other fresh injury concern at the start of a six-day turnaround is young defender Lewis Melican, who was a last-minute scratching from the clash with Essendon because of a tight quad.
“He’s not ruled out at the moment,” Longmire said, when asked about Melican’s hopes of facing Geelong and playing his first final.
“So he’s a chance.
“We’ll have to see what he does on the training track.”
Longmire wouldn’t be drawn on how much Franklin might be able to train this week.
“Blokes get corkies every week .. he’ll be fine,” Longmire said.
“He’ll work at it. He’ll do whatever he needs to do to get right.”