Hawks unsure when Buddy back in AFL

Hawthorn AFL coach Alastair Clarkson says they just do not know how long it will take for Lance Franklin to overcome his latest knee injury.

Hawthorn remain unsure when star forward Lance Franklin will return to their AFL side.

Franklin missed last weekend's win over Port Adelaide with a knee injury and has not recovered for Saturday's Launceston game against the Western Bulldogs.

"We're not really certain at this point - he has some swelling right in his knee," said coach Alastair Clarkson.

"He had a bursa that burst last week.

"He's had two before that have settled really quickly and he's been able to play that week.

"We thought that was going to be the case last week, (but) he wasn't able to get up and it still hasn't fixed itself up this week."

Clarkson added that some bleeding from the knee had gone into Franklin's calf.

"We're hopeful it's going to be pretty quick, but we just don't know," he said.

"Hopefully that (swelling and bleeding) settles over the weekend and he's right to train fully next week."

The Hawks also remain hopeful that Franklin will change his mind and sign a new deal with them before the end of the season.

Hawthorn have put a new offer to Franklin, who is about to become a free agent.

"Buddy has indicated all along that he wanted to leave it until the end of the year," Clarkson said.

"We'd like to get it settled earlier than that but, whether or not he considers that in the next couple of weeks, we'll have to wait and see."

Brad Sewell travelled on Friday morning with the team, but the veteran midfielder is likely to miss a second match because of poor form.

Sewell also played no football last weekend because VFL affiliates Box Hill had a bye.

"He's one of our leaders and he's fine," Clarkson said.

"He knows he hasn't been playing as well as he needs to and he'll get back into it pretty soon."

Clarkson added Cyril Rioli (ankle) would play, while Will Langford will make his AFL debut.

He is the son of Hawks great Chris Langford.

"He's another exciting youngster who comes through," Clarkson said.

"He has pretty good pedigree, obviously, with his father having played so much footy at our club."

While the Hawks will start strong favourites, Clarkson is wary after the Bulldogs pushed Essendon last Sunday.

"It's going to be a really tough game - the Bulldogs were really good and have been over the last month," he said.

"We have a fair amount of time for Essendon and the way they go about it - the Bulldogs really went hard last week.

"Having said that, we're in really good form ourselves."


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