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Lance Franklin Faces Tribunal Fallout After AFL Apology

2026-06-23 · Lance Franklin · Player Focus

Lance Franklin Faces Tribunal Fallout After AFL Apology

Lance Franklin will miss the Sydney Swans' game against Melbourne after failing to have his one-game ban overturned, following a tribunal hearing that sparked controversy.

What happened?

The AFL has issued an apology to Lance Franklin and the Sydney Swans after the league's counsel Andrew Woods argued Franklin was 'cowardly' in striking Trent Cotchin. The Swans were unhappy with the comment, with their legal representative Duncan Miller accusing Cotchin of exaggerating the contact.

Why it matters for Lance Franklin

The tribunal fallout continued, with the AFL defending Franklin and urging lawyers to tone down their 'rhetorical flourishes' in future tribunal meetings. Lance Franklin is a champion of the game, the AFL said, and there are no cowardly players in the AFL.

What comes next?

The Sydney Swans have the bye next weekend, meaning Franklin will not play again until a game against Port Adelaide on June 18. Franklin himself gave evidence during the hearing, saying he had eyes only for the ball and argued he pushed Cotchin in the chest. The AFL's apology was welcomed by the Swans, who felt the league should not have instructed counsel to make those comments. The incident occurred during a game last weekend, with Franklin striking Cotchin, and the tribunal hearing was held on Wednesday night. The AFL's counsel Andrew Woods delivered a stinging assessment of Franklin's conduct, saying it was 'cowardly behaviour'. But the Swans argued that Cotchin exaggerated the contact, with Miller saying 'I suggest Cotchin might get an invite to the Logies instead of the Brownlow this year'. The tribunal's decision means Franklin will miss a blockbuster clash against premiers Melbourne this weekend. Franklin has played over 300 games and is a thousand-goal-plus legend of the AFL. The Sydney Swans are currently preparing for their next game, with Franklin's absence likely to be felt. The AFL's apology is a significant development, with the league recognizing that Franklin is a champion of the game. The incident has sparked controversy, with many fans and commentators weighing in on the issue. The Sydney Swans are confident that Franklin will bounce back from the incident and continue to perform at a high level.

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