Hawthorn expect Lance Franklin to have an immediate impact in the top-of-the-table AFL clash with Sydney – provided he can prove he is ready.
Hawks captain Luke Hodge said on Monday that the star forward remains groggy after he pulled out of the win over Gold Coast the day before because of illness.
That meant Franklin has been out of action for six weeks, originally because of a hamstring injury.
Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson admitted that Franklin’s extended absence was not ideal with the finals only a fortnight away, plus two big games to come against the Swans and fifth-placed West Coast.
But if Franklin can show this week he is finally right to play, the Hawks say he will have no trouble returning to the intensity of the AFL.
“If Lance is ready to come back, he’ll play, don’t worry about that,” Hawthorn football manager Mark Evans said.
“We won’t be fearful about that.
“Ideally, we would have got a game into him (on Sunday) ahead of these two important games in the run-up to the finals.
“I’m sure he’ll be right once he gets out there, any time he’s had a layoff in the past, he’s usually come back and played pretty well.”
Franklin’s surprise withdrawal from the Gold Coast game sparked predictable rumours, which Evans called “absolute rubbish”.
The forward had a light training session on Monday but is yet to be confirmed for the Sydney clash.
The Hawks improved from fourth to second on the weekend and are a game behind the Swans.
“(To) speak to him today, he can’t wait to train tomorrow and get ready to go to Sydney,” Hodge said.
“I’ve seen him look better, he still looks a little bit groggy, but he just can’t wait for training.
“Five or six weeks for anyone is a pain – he’s been ‘best on track’ the last three weeks.”
Apart from Franklin, the Hawks should regain midfielder Sam Mitchell and defender Josh Gibson from injury for the SCG clash.
Hodge said the Hawks must improve after two sub-par performances.
“We will be looking to change things this weekend,” he said.
The Hawks had lost 10 of their past 11 matches at the SCG before beating Sydney there last season.
Clarkson famously banned his players from using their mobile phones in Sydney before the match.
Asked if Hawthorn felt they had overcome their poor record at the ground, Hodge replied:
“Definitely not, not with the way Sydney are playing.
“Hopefully Clarko lets us have our phones this time.”
Hodge was high among Hawthorn’s best on Sunday as he continues his comeback from a long injury layoff this year.
He played through the middle against Gold Coast, something he said will not happen against Sydney.
“No doubt when Sammy (Mitchell) comes back this week, I will be kicked back out to the back flank or forward flank,” he said.
“The body is still getting used to the combat of AFL football but the more games I play the better I feel.”