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Is Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin in trouble for elbow on Fremantle Docker Luke Ryan?

Samantha RogersThe West Australian
Franklin's hit on Luke Ryan will come under review.
Camera IconFranklin's hit on Luke Ryan will come under review. Credit: Fox Footy

Lance Franklin is less than 20 away from kicking 1000 career goals, with just four games remaining in the home and away season, could a frustrated hit on Fremantle’s Luke Ryan prove costly?

Franklin’s first-quarter major against the Dockers brings the 34-year-old just 18 goals away from the impressive milestone, a feat achieved by just five players in VFL/AFL before him.

With just four matches (after today’s clash) - plus any finals - ahead for the Swans, Franklin already has a small mountain to climb to reach the summit.

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But an elbow thrown in frustration that struck Doig medallist Luke Ryan in the head could see the four-time Coleman medallist sit out Sydney’s fixture against Essendon next weekend.

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The Dockers were awarded a free kick for the strike and the replay clearly shows Franklin making high contact with Ryan mid-way through the second quarter at Metricon Stadium.

A potential ban will be offered by the Match Review Officer after the game.

It comes after a bump from the 199cm key forward floored defender Nathan Wilson in the first term.

Several Dockers remonstrated with him, including skipper Nat Fyfe, bringing Franklin to ground in a scuffle.

Buddy's bump on Nathan Wilson could come under review.
Camera IconBuddy's bump on Nathan Wilson could come under review. Credit: Fox Footy

Franklin is unlikely to miss a match for that incident as Wilson quickly got to his feet and played out the rest of the quarter, with a free kick paid against the star Swan.

Fremantle are showing fight against the highly-touted Swans outfit in veteran David Mundy’s 350th game.

Josh Treacy was a last-minute out for the Dockers with illness, replaced by Mitch Crowden in the 22.

Connor Blakely is the medical sub for Fremantle, while Hayden McLean is Sydney’s.

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