Well, since no-one here is mentioning it, I might as well be the one to bring up the Lance Franklin rumour?

Yes, I have heard the same rumour. My cousins in Melbourne has let me know of this, thru FB and twitter.

Not surprised actually, if its true.

Here's an update from the Hot Breakfast team and Hawthorn........https://t.co/redirect?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.triplem...

I feel like I'm so out of the loop hidden away in NSW!

Trouble with AFL rumours though is that this is the sort of thing a Collingwood or Geelong (or any other) supporter might just have made up and spread on twitter. As almost everyone thinks the pee-poo boys are a tad cocky, it would spread like wild fire. Like, hey, I'll do my best :-P

I doubt there's truth in it but if it was true I think the AFL would let it unfold. They did the same with a high profile Richmond player some time back - hell I can't even remember the guy's name now. They could always rule him out with hamstring problems and let it be chronic causing retirement though. If that happens I think we can guess why.

okay I really do hate this issue..

Hawthorn need to stop trying to cover things up!...it doesnt get you anywhere.The AFL said they will sue if anyone says anything? lol really??..protected species?

yes that is true..he was on 2 strikes already. But if he was banned after the 3rd the AFL would of said something. Id like to think that our biggest sport here is not run my corrupted low lifes lol..okay.

I dont know if this rumour is true, but I do know for a fact that the water is not crystal clear!

The truth will come out because the AFL can not cover this not after what they did to West coast eagles and Ben Cousins for years. really wouldnt be fair.

you saying he will be back for finals?...what because of "sickness"?..A little sus right there. The big lawyers are probaly fighting behind closed doors. Seriously if the AFL want people to stop talking, then tell people the truth.

the truth will come out...

The AFL will go through hell to make sure that story never surfaces. Franklin is easily the game's most marketable player and he is way too valuable to throw out, if he was the game would consequently be thrown into disrepute as well. Media outlets are already saying that he will be ready for the 1 V 2 match against Sydney on the weekend so I don’t think we will hear anything of it.

Although I wouldn't be surprised, the AFL could never in a million years cover this up. All I can say is we will know at the start of Saturday's Twilight Game.

Does anyone honestly believe the AFL would try and cover this up if it were true? How could they keep such a thing secret? It would be incredibly risky if they swept this under the carpet.

If its true then its a damn shame. I guess though there are enough muppets out there who want to believe anything scandalous.

This rumour has been going around for weeks. However, think about this. If you've heard it from some nobody with no connections to the AFL, then why wouldn't a reputable journalist have heard it and reported it in a reputable source?

Imma be an armchair expert here and say

False. Not a chance in my mind to be honest.

I heard the rumour at 1pm yesterday, (sunday) at my golf club, so it must have some merit, we'll just have to wait and see, where there's smoke there's usually some fire.

About Two months ago, in Qld (ex Victorian - source) I heard he had failed his second strike. I suspect this is true