Sydney Swans star Lance Franklin has been taken to hospital for precautionary scans following a head clash during the NAB Cup match against Greater Western Sydney in Canberra on Sunday.
Franklin was knocked out cold after colliding with teammate 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.
It’s understood he’s been cleared of any serious injuries, but is heading to Canberra Hospital for further assessment.
“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.”
In what is his side’s last NAB Cup match before the AFL season kicks off, Franklin’s smashed his cheekbone on Rohan’s head in the 10th minute of the match.
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.
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.
Rohan went to the bench unassisted and then ran back out onto the field midway through the second quarter.
Franklin’s Swans teammates went into halftime leading the Giants 44-40.