Just what Buddy knee-ded
SYDNEY superstar Lance Franklin is ready for Round 2 of the AFL season, while fellow forward Sam Reid may also be in the mix after recovering from knee surgery during the COVID-19 stoppage.
Franklin had a knee arthroscopy in January and wasn’t able to take part in the Swans’ season-opening win over Adelaide.
Reid, who also missed Round 1 after a pre-season marred by injuries, had an arthroscopy in March.
The suspension of the AFL season came at a good time for both key forwards, allowing four-time Coleman medallist Franklin to build the sort of fitness base that should help him be a threat when play resumes.
“Lance is going really well. One of the silver linings of this period has been that it’s given players who had limited preparation a bit more time to get right,” Swans football manager Charlie Gardiner said.
“He’s certainly one of them.
“He was just restarting skills training before the competition suspension, but he’s been able to train throughout the shutdown period.
“He’s been running and completing all the training that we’ve asked him to. He’s ready to go and looking forward to a restart, hopefully soon.”
The exact date of Round 2 may determine whether Reid, who has resumed running, and Ben Ronke (knee) are part of the Swans’ side that will seek to make it a 2-0 start to the year.
“We are hopeful that (Reid) will be close to available, but it will depend on the timelines and how quickly things ramp up from here,” Gardiner said.
The Swans hope Ronke, who hyper-extended his knee in Round 1, will soon resume running.