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AFL star Franklin no certainty for Tigers

3 minute read

Sydney coach John Longmire says Lance Franklin's selection for their AFL game against Richmond depends on his ability to train during the week.

Sydney Swans AFL coach JOHN LONGMIRE.
Sydney Swans AFL coach JOHN LONGMIRE. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Sydney coach John Longmire has stopped short of guaranteeing that Lance Franklin's AFL comeback will continue against Richmond.

Franklin made a successful return to action after a 581-day absence on Saturday, kicking three goals in a victory against Adelaide.

But Longmire says whether Franklin will double-up and face the Tigers at the MCG on Saturday remains to be seen.

"He is OK today," Longmire told reporters on Monday.

"We will see how the goes over the course of the week.

"He got through the game pretty well so that was really important for us and him to be able to do that.

"We will see how he shapes up with training this week."

Longmire said the megastar's ability to meet targets in his strength conditioning program in the gym was just as vital as his on-field training this week.

"His strength program, that keeps going and so that has always been a focus and will continue to be for the rest of the year," he said.

"The aim is to make sure he keeps training both through the gym work and also out on the training track.

"We have got a bit of a framework of it. But the real specifics are guided by what he does during the week and if he's able to hit the testing that he needs to do and the strength work.

"We won't put him at risk, so we will use that as the underlying philosophy and then we will work with him as the weeks go."

Franklin slotted seamlessly into a new-look Sydney attack at the weekend, complementing established star Isaac Heeney, who managed just six games last year, and new recruits Logan McDonald and Errol Gulden.

The Swans have booted scores of 125 points and 121 points in banking consecutive wins to open their season.

"There's obviously a couple of important pieces that have been missing there, particularly the last year," Longmire said of Sydney's attack.

"Isaac is clearly an important piece that has been missing and obviously we have added Errol and Logan, so it's a little bit different, it's a bit different for everyone.

"But that is OK. He (Franklin) is smart enough to be able to fit into that group and work with that group.

"And just not being reliant on him every game is really important for us and we need to keep working through that as well."

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