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| Lance Franklin cleared after KO blow in Sydney Swans' NAB Challenge victory | Lance Franklin cleared after KO blow in Sydney Swans' NAB Challenge victory |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 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. | 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 their pre-season win over Greater Western Sydney that also saw co-captain 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 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 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 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| The Giants had injury concerns of their own, with forward Will Hoskin-Elliott leaving Manuka Oval in the last quarter with a shoulder injury. | 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.” | “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. | 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. | 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. |
| Sydney stand-in coach Stuart Dew said he believed both players were fine. “At this stage they should be ok,” he said. | Sydney stand-in coach Stuart Dew said he believed both players were fine. “At this stage they should be ok,” he said. |
| 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. | 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. |
| Later on Saturday, Nat Fyfe showcased his Brownlow Medal potential as Fremantle weathered a late storm to beat West Coast by 19 points at Domain Stadium. Fyfe tallied 29 possessions and kicked 1.2 in the 1.13.17 (104) to 1.11.10 (85) victory, with his overhead marking and clean skills at ground level the highlight. | |
| The 23-year-old finished just one vote behind Matt Priddis in last year’s Brownlow medal count, despite missing four matches due to suspension. But if he can avoid suspension and injury this year, he looms as a strong chance to take home the prestigious medal. | |
| The Dockers controlled much of the match, and appeared home once they opened up a 35-point lead late in the third quarter. But inspired by two goals each from Josh Kennedy and Mark LeCras, West Coast closed the gap to four points early in the final quarter before a super goal from Cameron Sutcliffe settled Fremantle’s nerves in front of 16,032 people. | |
| Fyfe’s heroics were a major positive for the Dockers, but they were left with a fresh injury concern after utility Nick Suban injured his right hamstring in the opening minutes. | |
| The Dockers are hopeful Michael Barlow (ankle), Hayden Ballantyne (calf) and Tendai Mzungu (hamstring) will be fit for their season opener against Port Adelaide on 5 April. But Suban and Zac Dawson (groin) appear certain to miss the early rounds, while forward Matt Taberner (soreness) is still in doubt. | |
| Tagger Ryan Crowley is in danger of missing the entire season after failing a doping test last July, with his hearing expected to be held next month. | |
| West Coast entered Sunday’s match severely depleted in defence after Mitch Brown pulled out following his recent battle with hamstring tightness. With Will Schofield (ankle) and Eric Mackenzie (knee) also on the sidelines, Elliot Yeo was given the daunting task of manning Fremantle skipper Matthew Pavlich. | |
| Pavlich finished with two goals from 17 disposals in a strong showing, while Sutcliffe, Michael Johnson, Tom Sheridan, and Lee Spurr were also strong contributors. | |
| West Coast ruckman Nic Naitanui (13 hit-outs, 12 possessions) made it through his first pre-season hit-out unscathed, while Scott Selwood tallied 24 possessions in his return from a serious ankle injury. | |
| In the day’s other game, a five-goal haul by Tom Hawkins helped Geelong to a 19-point win over Carlton. A week after Mitch Clark booted six goals against Adelaide, the Cats showed what a dangerous proposition they’ll be in attack this season, with Clark also chiming in with three goals in the 0.17.9 (111) to 2.10.14 (92) win at Etihad Stadium. | |
| Geelong skipper Joel Selwood was outstanding with 28 possessions, while Mitch Duncan (24 disposals) and Cameron Guthrie (26) also impressed. Despite the result, the Blues will take plenty away from their performance – in particular the efforts of youngster Patrick Cripps, who led the way with 32 possessions and a goal. | Geelong skipper Joel Selwood was outstanding with 28 possessions, while Mitch Duncan (24 disposals) and Cameron Guthrie (26) also impressed. Despite the result, the Blues will take plenty away from their performance – in particular the efforts of youngster Patrick Cripps, who led the way with 32 possessions and a goal. |
| Marc Murphy (24 disposals) impressed in his first game of the NAB Challenge, with Chris Judd and Andrew Carrazzo also important. | Marc Murphy (24 disposals) impressed in his first game of the NAB Challenge, with Chris Judd and Andrew Carrazzo also important. |
| The Blues jumped out to an early lead, but Duncan was instrumental with 12 first-quarter possessions and two goals as the Cats found their rhythm to lead by 15 points at the first break. | The Blues jumped out to an early lead, but Duncan was instrumental with 12 first-quarter possessions and two goals as the Cats found their rhythm to lead by 15 points at the first break. |
| Geelong piled on six unanswered goals to blow the margin out to 36 points in the second quarter, but Carlton coach Mick Malthouse will be pleased with the way his charges dug deep to wrest back the momentum. | Geelong piled on six unanswered goals to blow the margin out to 36 points in the second quarter, but Carlton coach Mick Malthouse will be pleased with the way his charges dug deep to wrest back the momentum. |
| With the game getting away from them, the Blues put on a four-goal burst to finish the half just seven points in arrears. | With the game getting away from them, the Blues put on a four-goal burst to finish the half just seven points in arrears. |
| Jimmy Bartel was subbed on during the break and he was immediately a factor, with 12 touches, as Geelong stretched their lead back out to 22 points at three-quarter-time. Judd was subbed out for the last quarter, but the Blues – already without Bryce Gibbs – did well to fight the match out. | Jimmy Bartel was subbed on during the break and he was immediately a factor, with 12 touches, as Geelong stretched their lead back out to 22 points at three-quarter-time. Judd was subbed out for the last quarter, but the Blues – already without Bryce Gibbs – did well to fight the match out. |