The Latest Breaking News from Lance Franklin

Sydney will have a new No.23, taking Lance Franklin's number off the shelf after a year to hand it to young South Australian forward Ned Bowman.

From revolutionary Geelong ruckman Graham “Polly” Farmer, to the electrifying Krakouer brothers (Phil and Jim) at North Melbourne, through to modern stars such as Charlie Cameron, Adam Goodes, Lance Franklin and Eddie Betts, Indigenous athletes have long shone brightly on Australian Football League (AFL) fields.

Brownlow favourite Isaac Heeney shone in Sydney's 76-point AFL belting of Hawthorn, while Swans veteran Luke Parker made his return from injury in the reserves.

Former Hawthorn and Sydney champion Lance Franklin made a rare public appearance at the first meeting of his two AFL clubs since his retirement last year.

In-form midfielder Isaac Heeney is just one of many potential Sydney match-winners that Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell is looking to shut down at the MCG.

Rival clubs may be knocking on the door of out-of-contract key forward Logan McDonald, but the West Australian product has his mind set on staying with Sydney.

Sydney coach John Longmire has dismissed media reports suggesting the club had a falling out with Lance Franklin before the legendary key forward retired.

Co-captain Callum Mills has returned to non-contact training during Sydney's pre-season camp, three months after undergoing surgery for a shoulder injury.

Four-time Hawthorn premiership player Jordan Lewis has confirmed coach Alastair Clarkson was part of this week's reunion for the team that won the 2013 flag.