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Sydney coach John Longmire is unsure whether four-time Coleman medallist Lance Franklin will return in Hobart or miss a fourth straight AFL game through injury.

Lance Franklin is no certainty to return from a hamstring injury in round nine of the AFL season, while Sydney teammate Isaac Heeney is playing through the pain of some restrictive niggles.

The Swans were initially optimistic that Franklin would miss a single game because of what they believed to be a minor hamstring strain.

However, Friday night's after-the-siren thriller was the third match from which the superstar has been sidelined.

Franklin resumed running a week ago but failed to prove his fitness for the SCG clash with Essendon, which he watched from the coaches' box.

"I don't know. I really don't know," Swans coach John Longmire said after his side's five-point win over the Bombers.

"I'm hopeful but he's no certainty.

"I'm hoping he's able to ramp it up again on Monday."

Sam Reid could also be at risk of missing the trip to Hobart to face North Melbourne, depending on how he pulls up after a knock to the hip.

Longmire was quick to shoot down the notion that Heeney, who was below his best against Essendon, could be rested but admitted the young gun was physically battling.

"He's got a couple of sore spots," Longmire said.

"That's the kind of competitor he is, he doesn't make excuses. He just gets out and gets it done, works hard.

"We understand how he's going physically but he's pretty tough."

Former Swans captain Kieren Jack was assessed for concussion on Friday night but given the all clear to continue playing.

Essendon star Michael Hurley rolled his ankle during the upset but should be cleared to face Fremantle next weekend.

"It was sore but he could still put weight on it, get out there and play," Bombers coach John Worsfold said.

"You never really know how they pull up from it but we're confident he'll be OK."

Worsfold noted he was "really disappointed" about the result, which leaves the club with a 3-5 record.

"We've won three games. We've got to win a lot more than that to get where we want," he said.

Longmire, whose team entered the match in last spot on the ladder, was full of praise for the club's youngsters but also captains Luke Parker, Josh Kennedy and Dane Rampe.

"They feel it as much as anyone when you're not winning," Longmire said.

"They led from the front. All three were super."