It is fair to say the Sydney Swans’ coaches’ box breathed a little easier when Lance Franklin kicked four goals in Saturday’s big win over Essendon while nursing a corked thigh.
The star forward collided with Bombers defender Brendon Goddard in a marking contest during the opening quarter of last weekend’s Elimination Final, Goddard’s knee hammering into Franklin’s upper leg, forcing him off the ground to be assessed by trainers.
Despite being visibly hampered, the 2017 Coleman Medallist shrugged off the injury to ignite the Swans’ second-quarter surge kicking three goals in three minutes in a brilliant display of goalkicking.
The 30-year-old took some convincing after three-quarter-time but, with his side in command, reluctantly agreed to ice up and sit out the rest of the match with eyes on a semi-final encounter against Geelong.
Senior coach John Longmire said post-match there wasn’t anything to worry about with Franklin and, as of Tuesday, nothing has changed.
Speaking for HCF Injury Update, Head of Football Tom Harley said Franklin is all but locked in for this Friday night’s clash at the MCG.
“Lance has recovered really well,” Harley told SwansTV.
“When you’re assessing injuries during a game, the fact players can play through the games is a really positive sign.
“He’s an absolute pro in what he does post-game.
“We have training on Wednesday and he’ll train, and play on Friday night.”
In other injury news, young defender Lewis Melican’s availability for Friday night’s semi will come down to how the young defender trains in the team’s final session on Wednesday.
Harley expects the 20-year-old, who missed last weekend with a quad issue, to train fully and be available.