Unsung Swans hero primed to bring up quick-fire century
Andrew Wu
SMH, May 11
Jake Lloyd is not being glib when he says his first 100 games have gone quickly. It's because they have.
When the Sydney running defender takes to the MCG on Friday night, he will become the equal third fastest, with former West Coast great Glen Jakovich, to reach triple figures. The two who got there sooner than Lloyd's four years and 22 days from debut are North Melbourne legend Wayne Schimmelbusch and Hawthorn goal sneak Luke Breust, who may well be his direct opponent.
"I've heard a few things floating around about the milestone but I'm not too worried about it. You've got to have some luck to get through so many games without missing," said Lloyd, who has missed only three games since his debut in 2014.
Franklin out for a third week with injury as Giants dump Patton
Andrew Wu
SMH, May 11
Sydney officials don't know when Lance Franklin will return after the champion forward was ruled out of the Swans clash with Hawthorn on Friday night.
There was a selection shock across town with former No.1 draft pick Jonathon Patton axed by Greater Western Sydney, while key forward Jeremy Cameron and ruckman Rory Lobb return from injury.
The Swans have named youngster Tom McCartin for his debut as they aim for a third consecutive week to cover the massive absences of Franklin and Sam Reid in their key forward posts.
McCartin is the younger brother of St Kilda's top draft pick from 2014, Paddy McCartin.
The Swans may be forced to give midfield aces Luke Parker and Isaac Heeney more time in attack to give bite to their inexperienced forward line, which includes first- and second-season players Will Hayward, Ben Ronke and McCartin.
Swans football manager Tom Harley expressed confidence during the week that Franklin would recover from his heel injury and line up against the Hawks, but plans for a return this week were scrapped after the four-time Coleman Medallist could not prove his fitness at training on Wednesday night.
"While he did a little bit of training last night, it [the heel] got a little bit sore," Swans coach John Longmire said.
"It's something we're not quite certain of his return date. It's a tricky injury.
"He's pretty hard. He can play with injuries, but we didn't want to push it too much and put him at risk so we decided to can this week."
Sydney Swans face Hawthorn at MCG without Buddy Franklin
Peter Lalor
The Australian, May 11
Sydney’s chances of knocking off Hawthorn in tonight’s blockbuster match at the MCG took a blow yesterday when the Swans’ plane left for Melbourne without Buddy Franklin.
A bigger worry for the Sydney side is that the champion is no guarantee to return next week.
The Swans had hoped the big forward would return after missing two weeks with what is said to be a bruised heel, but he was ruled out after a training session on the SCG on Wednesday.
Coach John Longmire didn’t sound confident about the forward’s prospects last night.
“He didn’t quite get through the required amount of training we were after and we didn’t want to push him too hard so the decision was made not to play him this week,” Longmire said.
“As we said at the start, it’s a bit of an unpredictable injury so we are unsure what the time frame is, he did a little bit last night and still felt it.”