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Lance Franklin knocked out cold in Sydney Swans' NAB Challenge victory Lance Franklin cleared after KO blow in Sydney Swans' NAB Challenge victory
(about 1 hour later)
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. Sydney Swans stars Lance Franklin and Kieren Jack should be available for round one of the AFL season after precautionary scans in Canberra cleared them both of injury on Sunday.
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. Franklin was knocked out after colliding with team-mate Gary Rohan in the first quarter of their pre-season win over Greater Western Sydney that also saw co-captain Jack taken to hospital for abdominal scans.
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. The Swans rallied in their absence at Manuka Oval, 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.
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. The Swans confirmed soon after the match that both players had been cleared of injury and would fly back to Sydney with their team-mates on Sunday afternoon.
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. Rohan exited the Franklin head clash the better out of the pair and despite briefly returning to the bench unassisted, he played out the remainder of the game.
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. The Giants had injury concerns of their own, with forward Will Hoskin-Elliott leaving Manuka Oval in the last quarter with a shoulder injury.
“He got hit really hard in the middle of the ground,” coach Leon Cameron said. “No doubt he’ll have some scans tomorrow.”
Franklin’s slumping to the turf would have initially had Swans fans fearing they’d be without their star for a good chunk of the AFL season.
Knocked out after smashing his cheek into Rohan’s head in the first 10 minutes, Franklin lay motionless for a short period in front of 7,222 onlookers before regaining consciousness.
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.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.
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.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.
“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. Sydney stand-in coach Stuart Dew said he believed both players were fine. “At this stage they should be ok,” he said.
“After a heavy hit in the abdomen in the second quarter, Kieren has been taken to hospital for precautionary scans.” 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.
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.