Sydney have ruled big-money key forward and last year’s Coleman medallist Lance Franklin out of their first final against Fremantle this week, citing ‘an ongoing mental health condition’.
The Swans released a statement earlier today in which General Manager of Football Tom Harley said the club was doing everything it could to support Franklin.
“Our first priority is looking after Lance’s health,” Harley said.
“Lance has been open with the club about his condition and while we consider it a private medical matter, he is aware he has our full support.
“The timeframe on his return is unclear at this stage. He will certainly miss this week’s match and we will continue to monitor his condition.”
Sydney coach John Longmire said that while shocked, Franklin’s Sydney teammates were supportive of their teammate.
“He’s in the best place for him right now – I’ve spoken to him a few times,” Longmire said in a press conference earlier today.
“It is a very private matter and something you don’t really know too much about.
“We’re not sitting here saying he’ll be back at this date, and I don’t think anyone’s expecting us to say that.
“Put the football to one side. We need to understand and respect this is a challenge for him to deal with every day.”
The Swans have confirmed that Franklin will not play in the club’s first final this week, a Saturday afternoon qualifier against the Fremantle Dockers away from home.
While no confirmation has been made on Franklin’s availability for the remaining weeks of the finals series, it must surely be in doubt.
Franklin has missed four of the Swans’ last seven matches due to a back injury, but this is the first news of the Swan suffering from a mental health condition.
He has played the last two weeks but has been below his best on both occasions, booting just a single goal in each game, well below his season average of 2.8 per game.
The Swans, already facing the difficult prospect of a qualifying final across the country in Perth, have had their task made all the more difficult by a spate of recent injuries.
Last year’s best and fairest winner Luke Parker was ruled out for the year several weeks ago when he suffered an horific ankle injury against Collingwood.
Co-captain Kieren Jack has also been ruled out for the next three weeks due to a medial ligament injury that he suffered in the first quarter of last week’s win over Gold Coast.
The Swans also confirmed that All-Australian small defender Nick Smith won’t play this week after missing in Round 23 due to a hamstring injury.
With Franklin, arguably the Swans’ most important player, now ruled out as well, the Swans go into this week’s final seriously undermanned.
Roger of Sydney
Guest
Michael, There is always the argument between an experienced head and the enthusiasm of a young players. the Swans have gone back to multiple goal kickers now so we are a lot harder to close down. We don't need to do anything new or better just play like the last four weeks. We won't be able to match Freeo in physical strength so skill and speed will need to win the day. Not happy to not have Buddy out by not crying either. Goodes will lift , he always does, Tippet and Reid are critical and Mike Pyke is moving well for the first time in a long time. Jetta is due for a big one and the backs are solid , albeit a bit slow. Add a bit of Heeny and McVeigh and McGlynn and we have the personnel Good luck to buddy His challenges may inspire the Swans ,who knows
Lance
Guest
Like most comments on this post, I wish Buddy all the very best in what must be a very difficult time right now.
Don Freo
Guest
You're showing the same lack of class as Mitchell and Hodge,Penster. You are actually are starting to sound like WhereIsGene.
SM
Guest
I echo the sentiments of all here wishing the man well.
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
Seems like he has some pretty good people around him to help get through this. All the best Lance.
shiftyxr
Guest
+1... Except for 15yrs not 25yrs. The thing with mental illness is everyone's triggers and treatment are so varied it's impossible know what he's dealing with. The constant innuendo and media scrutiny does more harm to an already tortured soul.
Bill C
Guest
Anyone who has had a family member that suffers from seizures would know how frightening it is. This type of illness makes a game like football insignificant for the sufferer and those close to them. Best wishes to Buddy and anyone else who is in a similar situation.
Michael Huston
Guest
On how this will effect Sydney, I'm actually not sure it will too much in terms of our playing style. We've looked at our best and sharpest going forward the last 3 weeks, coincidentally when Buddy had little to no impact at all. And McPharlin usually wears Buddy like a glove and only gives away a goal or two, three at the most. So given Buddy's form plus the Freo defense, I wasn't expecting a huge game from Buddy anyway. The scenario is still the same as it was before Buddy's exit: Tippett, Reid and Goodes need to deliver. Tippett needs to compete and defeat his opponents in contests, Reid needs to continue to take the game on but also polish his skills, and Goodes needs to continue finding ways to snag a few goals from nowhere. I'm not going to put a lot of pressure on Heeney, Rohan and Cunningham, since they aren't as experienced in finals as the rest of our side, but they need to just apply plenty of offensive pressure and take the game on. The worst that can happen is we lose and don't get a weeks rest. And finally, our midfielders two-way running needs to be at it's best. They've got to be able to present as forward options to try and crack Freo's back-line, which can be done. It sounds like I'm focusing a lot on forward pressure and it's because I know damn well it's going to be a lopsided inside 50s count and a clearances count, so we have to be at our most efficient if we want any hope of staying in the game (let alone winning it). If not, we'll be out of it and the game will be over by quarter time. Out: Franklin, Jack In: McVeigh, McGlynn
bryan
Guest
I've "Buddy[bashed" as much as the next person,but it's bad to hear he is having health problems. Take care, mate,get well---footy is great,but your health is a hell of a lot more important!
Harry Krebs
Roar Pro
You don't want to see this kind of thing. Fair enough if it was a hammy, but mental issues, not good.
Abg
Guest
Wowser, it feels a bit like the grief of losing a loved one! Email marketing for the Swans finals campaign showcases Buddy, Parker, Jack, Goodes and Hannenbury. All bar Hannas, what a harrowing end to their h&a season. A bogey team full-strength and still fight left but you'd have to say morale has taken a blow and not enough against a mostly rested Purple haze, let alone get near October. Get well Buds.
WhereIsGene
Guest
Exactly.
Edgar Slosh
Roar Guru
I have suffered mental illness for over 25 years. The Swans have serious issues now with 7 years left on a contract. I hope he stays home, gets the best treatment he can and avoids going to A list gatherings and just gets better. Sometimes the best medicine is just sitting by yourself and learning to understand who you are. Best wishes Buddy
Leapin Leo
Guest
Whether it's related or not, Buddy was rushed to St Vincent’s hospital on Friday morning after suffering a seizure at a Bondi café. Not the first time apparently.
Penster
Guest
It's looking like an insurance claim.
Midfielder
Guest
Hope he gets well soon...
Winston
Guest
Not that I disagree with the sympathetic comments above, but this is an unmitigated disaster for the Swans. Surely the odds will now be like $1.02 for Dockers to win?
13th Man
Guest
Wow! Hope Buddy gets better, never good news to hear even as a Dockers fan.
Michael Huston
Guest
Just goes to show you can never judge players too harsh based on what you think you know of them... I've met Buddy a few times both as a Swan and as a Hawk, and on all occasions, he was a completely different bloke to that who we see on the field every week. Hope he recovers soon and won't be pressured into returning just because it's finals time.
Franko
Guest
Sigh, glad it was my post that was high-jacked to infer innuendo's. Reading around today, there are plenty of people on this particular conspiracy and generally speaking I am not far behind the crazies, except in this instance. If it were 2 strikes issue, or the like, the Swans would simply say his back had flared up again.