SYDNEY SWANS star Lance Franklin could be ready to resume pre-season training with the club in December, according to coach John Longmire.
Franklin kicked 47 goals from 17 games in 2015, but failed to play in the Swans' two finals after stepping away from the game after round 23 to seek treatment for an ongoing mental health issue.
The former Hawk hasn't been seen in public since the Swans announced his condition, but Longmire – who is a passionate advocate for supporting those with mental health problems – has again publicly backed his champion goalkicker.
Longmire told ABC Radio on Saturday that he'd been in constant contact with the three-time Coleman medallist, and he was confident that Franklin would be back to join his teammates when the Swans kick off their 2016 campaign.
“Lance is coming along really well,” Longmire said.
“He’s been getting great support from professionals which is the way to do it.
“We’ve been leaving the support network to those professionals as they’re the ones with the most qualifications.
“We’re really confident he’ll be bouncing back for a terrific pre-season.”
The Swans finished the regular season in fourth spot but back-to-back losses to Fremantle and North Melbourne saw their year finish in disappointing fashion.
The club's younger players start their pre-season training in late November with the rest of the playing group - which will hopefully include Franklin - to start in early December.
