Lance Franklin still groggy, says Hodge

Hawthorn remain unsure whether Lance Franklin will play in Saturday’s massive AFL match against Sydney, with captain Luke Hodge saying the star forward is still groggy.

Franklin was a late withdrawal from Sunday’s regulation win over Gold Coast after he fell ill the night before.

He has now been out of action for six weeks, initially because of a hamstring injury.

Coach Alastair Clarkson admitted after the Suns game that Franklin’s continued absence was not ideal with the finals looming.

The Hawks, who are second, have big tests against top side Sydney and West Coast (fifth) ahead of the finals.

“(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.”

Hawthorn football manager Mark Evans said they are confident Franklin will have no trouble returning immediately to the AFL.

Evans added Franklin had a light training session on Monday.

“If Lance is ready to come back, he’ll play, don’t worry about that,” 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”.

“He was ill and we’re hopeful he’ll play this week,” he said.

The Hawks should also regain midfielder Sam Mitchell and Josh Gibson from injury after they missed the Gold Coast match.

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