Lance Franklin has not played a practice match since 2018.Credit:Jessica Hromas
Despite turning 35 last month,Franklin set tongues wagging with a bag of goals last week in an intra-club game. If he takes to the field in Albury,it will be the first time the champion forward has lined up in a practice match since 2018.
The Swans have not finalised how much game time Franklin will see in the six-quarter game against Greater Western Sydney,but he is regarded as a good chance to clock some minutes.
In the final season of his blockbuster nine-year deal,Franklin needs just five goals to become only the sixth man to join the exclusive 1000-goal club - a milestone which seemed a bridge too far during his injury-riddled 2019-20 seasons.
McCartin has impressed Swans officials with strong performances in the club’s match simulation over the summer,as he looks torebuild a career derailed by a series of concussions.
Paddy McCartin is a strong chance of playing in round one for his new club Sydney.Credit:Jessica Hromas
The No.1 pick from the 2014 draft was tried by St Kilda as a key forward,but it is in defence where he will cut his teeth in the red and the white after being signed under pre-season supplemental selection period rules last month.
With his brother Tom McCartin and skipper Dane Rampe the locks in the Swans’ key defensive posts,McCartin is in a three-way battle with Lewis Melican and Sam Reid for the role of the third tall backman.