Franklin takes step forward in comeback bid for Swans

There was a sight for sore eyes for Sydney fans on Friday as Lance Franklin hit top speed at training but it’s another Swans forward who will be making a surprise appearance in round one.

Swans star Isaac Heeney is on track to beat the clock for the start of the season – and he will have a modified role playing predominantly as a forward, where he stands to be a beneficiary of the AFL’s controversial standing-the-mark rule change.

The Swans are taking a cautious approach with Lance Franklin.Credit:Getty

Franklin joined the Swans’ main group for training and though he trained longer than most of his senior teammates he took part in only some of the ball work while switching between running drills. He hit top pace for some of the one-on-one drills with the Swans assistants.

While the sight of him training will raise hopes of Franklin lining up in round one, the Swans are taking a conservative approach with the forward, who has played just 10 games in the past two seasons. His latest soft-tissue injury is a calf niggle.

The Swans do not want to pick him until he has enough training under his belt to play blocks of games.

Heeney, however, is set to play in the Swans’ season-opener against Brisbane after making a better-than-expected recovery from a serious ankle injury.

Isaac Heeney is a supporter of the AFL’s controversial new standing the mark rule.Credit:Janie Barrett

The 24-year-old has been earmarked to spend more time in attack this year, in a boost to an attack which ranked 15th for points scored last year.

Despite the doubts over Franklin, an inside-50 division featuring Sam Reid as a marking target, Heeney as a powerful medium-sized forward capable in the air and on the ground, and gun goal sneak Tom Papley, is an upgrade on last year.

After limited minutes last week, Heeney is due for close to full game time against Greater Western Sydney on Sunday in the Swans’ only official senior practice match before the home and away season.

“I was a bit iffy if I would make round one but playing a full game this weekend, two weeks out, I’m excited and can’t wait to get out there,” said Heeney, who has not played since injuring his ankle last July. “It’s been eight months, it’s been a long time.”

Heeney has welcomed the AFL’s new rule which effectively forces players to be statues while standing the mark, saying it was “great for the game”, but he called for umpires to adopt a more lenient approach towards players who make minimal movement.

There was backlash from commentators and fans after footage emerged on social media of 50-metre penalties being awarded against players who took a step off the mark, even if their movement did not affect the play.

Coaches believe the change will make it harder for teams to defend and make it easier for the attacking side to clear the last line of defensive zones to score out the back.

“Personally, I actually like it. There should be some leeway, maybe even half a step where it shouldn’t be 50,” Heeney said.

“We’ll see how they judge it but I think it’s great for the game. I like the speed of it, better ball movement, I believe.

“It opens up. It shows the teams with the better skills will use it to more advantage than the other teams. It’s something we’ve tried to work on.

“I don’t want to change the game too much but there’s definitely a positive factor to it, I believe.”

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