This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/mar/22/nab-challenge-lance-franklin-knocked-out-cold

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Lance Franklin knocked out cold in Sydney Swans' NAB Challenge victory Lance Franklin knocked out cold in Sydney Swans' NAB Challenge victory
(35 minutes later)
Sydney Swans star Lance Franklin has been taken to hospital for precautionary scans following a head clash during the NAB Challenge match against Greater Western Sydney in Canberra. Sydney Swans star Lance Franklin has undergone precautionary scans following a head clash in his side’s six-point NAB Challenge win against Greater Western Sydney in Canberra.
Franklin was knocked out cold after colliding with team-mate Gary Rohan in the first quarter of the Manuka Oval AFL pre-season clash, but soon woke up and was able to walk to an ambulance about 45 minutes later. Franklin was knocked out after colliding with team-mate Gary Rohan in the first quarter of a potentially costly AFL pre-season clash that also saw co-captain Kieren Jack taken to hospital for abdominal scans.
It’s understood he’s been cleared of any serious injuries, but is heading to Canberra Hospital for further assessment. The Swans rallied in their absence, with Craig Bird kicking a goal on the siren to down the Giants 0.11.7 (73) to 0.9.13 (67) in a topsy-turvy affair.
“As a precaution he has been taken to hospital before the team flies back to Sydney,” Swans general manager of football Tom Harley said. “He is not expected to have suffered any serious damage.” The Giants didn’t escape the encounter unscathed either, with Will Hoskin-Elliott seen clutching his arm while leaving Manuka Oval in the last quarter.
In what is his side’s last NAB Challenge match before the AFL season kicks off, Franklin’s smashed his cheekbone on Rohan’s head in the 10th minute of the match. Franklin’s head clash would have initially had Swans fans fearing they’d be without their star for a good chunk of the AFL season.
He lay motionless for a short period on Manuka Oval before waking, and doctors tending to him had to insist he not get back up. Knocked out after smashing his cheek into Rohan’s head in the 10th minute, Franklin lay motionless on Manuka Oval for a short period in front of 7,222 concerned onlookers before regaining consciousness.
He was then put in a neck brace, secured on a stretcher and carried off the field. He was later filmed walking into the back of the ambulance. Doctors tending to him had to insist he not get back up and he was then put in a neck brace, secured on a stretcher and carried off the field.
Rohan went to the bench unassisted and then ran back out onto the field midway through the second quarter. The Coleman Medallist was soon cleared of any serious injuries by the team’s medical staff at the ground and was filmed walking towards an ambulance to visit Canberra Hospital for further assessment.
Franklin’s Swans team-mates went into half-time leading the Giants 44-40. “As a precaution [Franklin] has been taken to hospital before the team flies back to Sydney,” Swans general manager of football Tom Harley said. “He is not expected to have suffered any serious damage.
“After a heavy hit in the abdomen in the second quarter, Kieren has been taken to hospital for precautionary scans.”
Despite the Swans playing down both sets of scans, there’s no doubt it will have a few fans worried two weeks out from their AFL season opener against Essendon.
Fortunately Rohan exited the head clash unscathed and despite briefly returning to the bench unassisted, he played out the remainder of the game.
Jeremy Cameron was a stand out for the Giants with a five goal haul, while Callan Ward (25 possessions) was busy around the park.
Meanwhile Luke Parker (29 possessions, one goal) and Nick Smith (24 possessions) had solid games for the Swans.