Double blow for Swans could set Franklin on course for century
Lance Franklin is set for a return closer to goal with Sydney's forward line forced into another overhaul after Sam Reid was ruled out for two months due to injury.
The Swans were dealt another blow to their key position stocks with defender Lewis Melican to miss at least two weeks with a hamstring problem from the club's win over Greater Western Sydney at the weekend.
The twin injuries, which occurred within moments of each other late in the fourth quarter, leave Swans coach John Longmire with issues at both ends of the ground heading into Saturday's game against the Western Bulldogs.
Swans blow: Lewis Melican (right) faces an injury lay-off.
Photo: AAPReid's upcoming stint on the sidelines, due to an issue with a quadriceps tendon he hurt while changing direction, is terrible news for the player and club.
However, fans may rejoice as Franklin again becomes a real possibility of challenging the 100-goal milestone. No player has reached triple figures in a season since Franklin booted 102 in 2007.
The sample size is small, admittedly, but if Franklin keeps going at his current rate, barring injury, he will reach 100 in round 23. At the very least, the century is back on the agenda provided he is allowed to play closer to goal.
The four-time Coleman Medal winner bagged eight and four in the first two rounds when he was playing as Sydney's deepest forward, and kicked two on the weekend stationed higher up the ground with Reid as the target inside 50.
He has a big opportunity for another decent haul this week against a Bulldogs defence missing its three best tall backmen Dale Morris, Marcus Adams and Zaine Cordy.
The effect of Reid's injury cannot be underestimated. The 26-year-old gives the Swans greater flexibility in attack and is often swung into defence as an extra player late in quarters. "It's probably going to mean an extended period on the sidelines," Longmire said. "When I say an extended period, we're not quite sure but around the eight-week mark at this time."
With no like-for-like replacement evident for Reid, Swans fans can expect to see Franklin posted closer to goal. Franklin, the best forward of his generation, has no problem playing that role though the Swans are wary of becoming over-reliant on him.
A highlight of the Swans' victory over the Giants was their spread of goalkickers with Callum Sinclair, Gary Rohan, Will Hayward, Tom Papley, Reid and Franklin all producing multiples.
Moving forward: Lance Franklin could find himself in more scoring positions.
Photo: AAPSinclair is an option forward, Longmire said, but the coach noted the big man's three goals against the Giants came when he was in the ruck pushing inside 50. Another choice is blooding young ruckman Darcy Cameron.
"He is an option, absolutely he's an option," Longmire said yesterday. "We could go with that model again and we may turn to that at some point. Whether it's this week we haven't made that decision just yet."
After missing the entire 2016 campaign due to injury, Reid played 22 of 24 games for 30 goals last year in what was arguably his best season.
Given the length of time out, it's likely Reid would need two games in the reserves to regain match conditioning, which means it may not be until after the bye in round 15 that he is seen again in the senior side.
Longmire was not confident forgotten backman Aliir Aliir, with only 60 minutes of matchplay after injury, was ready to replace the impressive Melican, who earned votes in the AFL coaches award.
Midfielder Zak Jones, who missed the past two matches with a calf issue, completed running drills at training, Longmire said, with a view to pressing his case on Thursday.