Sydney coach John Longmire is confident Lance Franklin will overcome a groin injury in time for Saturday night's high-stakes AFL showdown with Hawthorn at the SCG.
The superstar forward is in doubt as the Swans and Hawks clash for an all-important top-four berth in the final-round showdown.
Franklin was not involved in training with the main group on Tuesday after tightening up in the late stages of the Swans' weekend comeback win over Sydney rivals GWS.
"He's going OK. It's not unusual that he doesn't do much training during the week," Longmire said.
"If you understand what he's able to play with during the year, you're usually pretty confident in his ability to get himself right.
"If anyone can play, we tend to back Buddy in because he's just got the ability to get himself up week in, week out.
"He's shown it for a long time."
Longmire was so confident that the four-times Coleman Medallist would be fit to tackle his former club that he refused to discuss possible replacements.
"Clearly we'd much prefer him to play," the coach said.
"If he doesn't, what the team looks like I'm not sure yet because we haven't crossed that bridge at the present time because we don't have to.
"So we'll see how the week goes and we'll have a bit more of an idea on Thursday.
"But obviously we'll give him every chance and if it's not Thursday, then we'll give him until game day."
With the Western Bulldogs in 2016 the only team to win a flag from outside the top four under the current finals format introduced in 2000, the Swans are well aware of the importance of earning a double chance.
"There's no question that a top-four spot is an enormous carrot for all of those teams that are now locked into the finals," Longmire said.
"And if you've got a chance of having control of your destiny, which we do and Hawthorn do, it adds to the mix to a wonderful game here on Saturday night.
"We're looking forward to that opportunity. We know what's at stake, so do Hawthorn."
Heath Grundy, who has missed Sydney's past three games with the Swans revealing the key defender was dealing with mental health issues, and Gary Rohan, who had hand surgery last month, are in line for returns on Saturday.
Both made successful comebacks in the NEAFL last Saturday.
"That's a really good sign for both of them," Longmire said.
"We'll make that call probably over the next 48 hours, what they do, but they both pulled up well and they both trained today."
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