2018 All Australian Captain and centre-half forward super star Lance Franklin is pushing for selection in the Sydney Swans season opener against the Western Bulldogs on Saturday night at Marvel stadium.
Considered an outside chance a month ago, having missed the pre-season JLT Community Series and groin surgery in November, Franklin has been able to gradually increase his training load.
While coach John Longmire has refused to rule him out, he's left it to the medical team to make the decision on Thursday after a closed training session.
"It's about looking at his total workload and understanding what he's done, and what he needs to do to play this week, and next week, and the week after.
"Those discussions are ongoing between our medical staff, our conditioning staff, and Lance.
"He's not knocking on my door (asking to play) but every time I walk past him he's had a smile on his face and (given me) the thumbs up (and saying) 'I'm ready to go'.
"He's got a great track record of understanding his own body but we're at the pointy end as far as making that call goes, and we'll wait until we have all the facts in front of us before we make a decision."
Franklin isn't the only forward pushing his case for selection, with new recruit Dan Menzel on track after groin surgery in December.
Longmire said that Menzel has been able to increase his load, but he's still behind Franklin, leaving the door open for Nick Blakey to debut on Saturday night.
"He's right in that selection frame absolutely, he's had a very strong pre-season," Longmire said.
"He's been able to hit the scoreboard and create contests in our front half, he's provided us with another marking target and also been good on the ground.
"He's still learning the game and understanding what it takes at senior level, but he's a chance this week."
| Player | Injury | Time |
| Lance Franklin | Groin | Test |
| Dan Menzel | Groin | 1-2 Weeks |
| Nick Smith | Illness / Hamstring | 2-3 Weeks |
| Sam Naismith | Knee | 4-6 Weeks |
| Matthew Ling | Toe | Indefinite |
| Durak Tucker | Knee | Indefinite |
| Jack Maibaum | Knee | Season |
| Kurt Tippett | Retired |
Sydney Swans Injury Update - AFL Injury List
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