Don't miss any of the news involving the Swans as we bring you everything from the newspapers around the country from Friday 11th September.

FINALS fever has taken a back seat for the Sydney Swans this week as the players digest the news Lance Franklin is struggling with mental illness and epilepsy.

As the injury-depleted Sydney prepare for their epic first qualifying final against Fremantle in Perth tomorrow, Swans midfielder Ben McGlynn acknowledged their thoughts remained with Franklin.

“I don’t think any of the boys have worried about football really,” McGlynn told The Daily Telegraph. “He’s one of our mates and not just one of our teammates.

“It puts football into perspective. It’s just a game and your health is more important than running out on the weekend and kicking the footy.”

AN inspirational speech from retiring Swan Rhyce Shaw has lit the finals fuse for Sydney’s rising star Isaac Heeney.

“It really got my emotions going but hit the nerves hard as well,” said Heeney, who will make his finals debut against Fremantle at Domain Stadium in Perth tomorrow.

“I’m looking forward to the game, it will be an unreal experience and one that I will cherish.”

Shaw delivered his emotion charged address to the teammates he’ll be playing his eighth and last finals series with at a pre-finals lunch on Monday.

THE Swans finally received some good news with Jarrad McVeigh and Ben McGlynn named to take on Fremantle in tomorrow’s qualifying final.

The experienced pair come in for Kieren Jack (knee) and Lance Franklin, who was placed on leave this week due to a serious mental health condition.

Sydney have recalled experienced midfielder Ben McGlynn for his second game in more than three months as they aim to defy the odds in Perth on Saturday.

McGlynn, troubled by hamstring problems this year, returns in place of injured co-captain Kieren Jack. McGlynn has played just one senior game since the end of May but gained valuable miles the past fortnight in the reserves, starring in each of his two games.

The club’s other co-captain Jarrad McVeigh also returns, however they will be missing several of their best players, including Lance Franklin. ‘‘McVeigh has a lot of finals experience,’’ Swans coach John Longmire said.

‘‘He’s versatile in the positions he can play and gives us great leadership. He’s an important player and an important driver of this football club. McGlynn is the same, he’s also quick and he’s hard at the ball. While we’re disappointed to have Jack and Franklin out we know we have two good players coming back in who we know will contribute for us.’’

Sydney are determined to avoid another first-half flogging from Fremantle in Perth, foreshadowing a ferocious start to ­tomorrow’s qualifying final.

The Dockers jumped the Swans in each of their past two matches in the cauldron-like ­atmosphere at Domain Stadium.

Fremantle kicked nine goals to two in the first half of their clash earlier this season and outscored Sydney 7.11 to 2.2 by the long break in a preliminary final there two years ago. They fought back in both games but each was lost.

Swans midfielder Josh Kennedy said a good start tomorrow was vital.

“It’s going to be on early and in finals football the intensity goes up another level,” Kennedy said yesterday. “We’re going to have to match it or beat them in that area from the first bounce, so it will be a real focus no doubt for both sides and a good start is crucial.”