Buddy good news
Lance Franklin is rated as a good chance to play next week after being cleared of structural damage
SCANS indicate that Hawthorn superstar Lance Franklin has suffered no structural damage to his hamstring and he is already rated by his club as a good chance to line up against Greater Western Sydney at the MCG on Sunday.
Franklin took himself from the ground early in the final quarter of Hawthorn's 50-point win over Carlton at the MCG on Friday night complaining of hamstring soreness and sat out the rest of the match.
"He was scanned this morning and nothing showed up on the scan," Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson told ABC Grandstand on Saturday.
"We'll get it looked at over the course of the week in terms of his ability to stride out and move. If he's not feeling perfect he won't play but the indications are that he'll train over the course of the week."
Franklin had 23 touches and kicked four goals in another outstanding display against the Blues. He needs two more goals for 500 career goals.
Clarkson said that while the Hawks won't take any chances with the dual Coleman medallist if he can't complete training during Tuesday and Thursday's main sessions, but the fact that the Hawks host the lowly Giants on Sunday won't be a factor on whether he plays.
Clarkson's philosophy has long been that if his players are fit, then they play.
"He hasn't done a lot of soft tissue damage in the past, but he's such a resilient player when it comes to coping with injury," he said.
Franklin appeared to have suffered a serious knee injury against Geelong in last year's qualifying final, only to rebound with four goals the following week against the Swans.