SYDNEY superstar Lance Franklin remains a chance to face the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night after continuing to build his training over the weekend.
Franklin had groin surgery in November and didn't feature in the JLT Community Series, but despite looking certain to miss the Swans' season opener against the Dogs a month ago, he's been able to gradually increase his training loads.
Coach John Longmire said on Monday that no decision had been made on Franklin, who will train with the team on Tuesday and Thursday in a bid to prove his fitness.
Given Franklin hasn't been officially ruled out by the Swans there's little doubt he's in the frame to line up against the Bulldogs, but with a six-day break before Sydney plays Adelaide in round two, he is still more likely to miss the trip to Melbourne.
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"He trained on Saturday and went really well, and he's been training for the last couple of weeks, looking sharp and pulling up well," Longmire said.
"But it's not necessarily about what he does on the track this week.
"It's about looking at his total workload and understanding what he's done, and what he needs to do to play this week, and next week, and the week after.
"Those discussions are ongoing between our medical staff, our conditioning staff, and Lance.
"He's not knocking on my door (asking to play) but every time I walk past him he's had a smile on his face and (given me) the thumbs up (and saying) 'I'm ready to go'.
"He's got a great track record of understanding his own body but we're at the pointy end as far as making that call goes, and we'll wait until we have all the facts in front of us before we make a decision."
Franklin isn't the only Sydney forward pushing for a round one berth after groin surgery, with former Geelong forward Daniel Menzel also working his way back to full fitness.
Longmire said Menzel has increased the intensity of his training over the past fortnight but is still slightly behind Franklin in his preparation, meaning he's unlikely to be considered to face the Bulldogs.
His likely absence only strengthens the case for highly rated draftee Nick Blakey to be named for his debut, after he impressed in his two JLT Series matches playing inside 50.
"He's right in that selection frame absolutely, he's had a very strong pre-season," Longmire said.
"He's been able to hit the scoreboard and create contests in our front half, he's provided us with another marking target and also been good on the ground.
"He's still learning the game and understanding what it takes at senior level, but he's a chance this week."
Blakey, plus off-season recruits Ryan Clarke (North Melbourne) and Jackson Thurlow (Geelong) are all but locked in to play their first games in Sydney colours against the Dogs, and Callum Mills, Sam Reid and Lewis Melican will return after missing large chunks of footy with injuries last year.
With Dan Hannebery (St Kilda), Gary Rohan (Geelong) and Nic Newman (Carlton) no longer at the club, Longmire is set to roll out a far different team to the one that was dominated by Greater Western Sydney in last year's elimination final at the SCG.
"We've made some significant changes over the last three years, our debutants over that period of time have played the most amount of games in the competition," he said.
"That's exciting for us because we've added some fresh talent to the list that have not only come in and played but played significant roles in our team.
"We'll see some fresh faces again this week and we really believe in giving those boys an opportunity to add to our team.
"Ryan and Jackson really contributed (in the JLT Series) and showed us they'll be valuable additions to our footy club, and why we recruited them.
"They've fitted in beautifully on and off the field."
