The Sydney Swans have confirmed Lance Franklin has been ruled out of the remainder of the AFL season because of injury.
Franklin did not play a match in 2020, having been sidelined before the shutdown of the AFL season in March, prior to sustaining a hamstring injury in May.
He began a rehabilitation program with the intention of returning to play this season, however he developed groin soreness and did not shown the level of improvement the Swans' medical team had expected.
The Swans announced on Sunday Franklin would not play again in 2020.
"Lance has been working hard on a return to play and, until this week, we remained hopeful that would happen before the end of the season," Swans general manager of football Charlie Gardiner said in a statement.
"However, given the soreness he has experienced in his groin, which suggests he still has some instability there, we believe the best course of action is for Lance to focus on building his core strength, rather than pushing himself to play again this year.
"Lance will remain with the team and continue his rehabilitation and training.
"He's also keen to assist in a mentoring and coaching capacity as he is fully invested in our young group.
"We look forward to seeing him back to full strength next season."
Franklin, 33, was in the seventh season of a lucrative nine-year deal.
He played only nine matches for the Swans in the 2019, bringing up his 300th appearance in the club's final fixture of the season.
The Swans are out of finals contention in 2020, having won only four of 12 matches so far to be sitting in 16th place on the ladder.
