Sydney star Josh Kennedy says widespread support for stricken Sydney AFL teammate Lance Franklin is no surprise given the AFL community’s response to a series of challenging events this season.

Star forward Franklin is on indefinite leave while being treated for a serious mental health condition and will miss Saturday’s qualifying final away to minor premiers Fremantle in Perth.

It comes in a season when the AFL community also showed its heart in responding to the slaying of Adelaide coach Phil Walsh, the deaths of St Kilda champion Nick Riewoldt’s sister Madeleine and Hawthorn assistant Brett Ratten’s son Cooper and the persistent vilification of Sydney star Adam Goodes.

“Throughout the year there’s been a lot of things that have come up and caused reason for AFL to get behind and support – whether it’s an individual or a team – and this is no surprise really,” said Kennedy said before Swans training at the SCG on Thursday.

“We are one family at the end of the day and it’s good to see.”