CHAMPION forward Lance Franklin could return from his knee injury just in time to help Sydney recover from its goal-kicking nightmare.

Coach John Longmire has put the Swans' inaccurate showing against Geelong last weekend down to a "bad day at the office" rather than an endemic issue that could scupper his 13th-placed side's finals hopes.

Last year's runners-up had a golden opportunity to close in on the top eight and silence talks of a hoodoo against Geelong when they hosted the reigning premiers on Friday.

Instead, the Swans blew their chances in front of goal, managing only six major scores from their half-century of inside-50s and finishing with 18 behinds in a 54-all draw.

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Isaac Heeney and Robbie Fox had late chances to close the game out for Sydney, with Cats coach Chris Scott admitting Geelong could consider themselves lucky to have escaped with two points.

Longmire says he will cut his young side some slack, insisting even the best have off days.

"It was a bad day at the office," he said.

"If you look at Melbourne, for instance, on the weekend they had 73 inside-50s and they got beaten and kicked 5.15. It does happen.

"You'd rather it not happen and we'll work to try and get it better, but we'll also balance it out ... some of the football we played was very good, very strong footy.

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"We did a hell of a lot right in that game."

The prolific Franklin has been sidelined since round 13, with the Swans hoping to make a call by Tuesday on whether he can return for Thursday night's clash against Richmond at the MCG.

He had been a chance to feature against the Cats, but Longmire opted not to risk the 36-year-old as the Swans continue their cautious approach to Franklin's fitness.

"It's that fine line that if you do too much in training with him, it might make him sore for the game a couple of days later. We didn't want to be in that position," he said.

"Last week was about, 'We'll do enough that he needs to do to feel good, hopefully he pulls up OK'.

John Longmire and Lance Franklin at Sydney training on June 28, 2023. Picture: AFL Photos

"That gives him the best chance to train today and be available for selection this week, hopefully."

Defender Tom McCartin could make his return from a long concussion lay-off after two weeks in the VFL.

"We'll make a call probably tomorrow," Longmire said on Monday.

"If they both get through training, for the first time in a long time we'll have some selection pressure."

A win over the Tigers could move the Swans to ninth on the ladder - higher than they have been since round five.