SYDNEY superstar Lance Franklin is in doubt for this Saturday’s blockbuster against Hawthorn due to a groin complaint.

The seven-time All-Australian trudged to the bench with no more than 90 seconds remaining in the game between the Swans and Giants on the weekend and was pictured in discomfort talking to a member of the club’s medical team.

It’s unknown whether a specific incident triggered the all-time great heading to the bench.

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Finals Week 1

When contacted by foxfooty.com.au on Monday, Sydney was coy on Franklin’s prognosis but it’s understood he faces a race against the clock to be available for the crucial Round 23 encounter.

Sydney needs to win to have any hope of finishing in the top four and Franklin is clearly John Longmire’s most pivotal player. The Swans are assured of finals, but could also finish as low as sixth.

As recently as late last month, the 31 year-old was nursing a knee issue, a heel injury and also a left thigh problem.

Battered and bruised, Franklin has braved his body through the back half of the season and has surged back into form over the past three weeks, booting 13 goals and clunking a total of 26 marks.

Sydney will release an injury report on Tuesday, as per the AFL’s guidelines, while John Longmire will also hold his regular press conference this week.

If Franklin is ruled out, he will miss out on a fifth Coleman medal. He is three goals behind leader Jack Riewoldt despite having played three fewer games.

The left-footer is also nine goals behind Matthew Lloyd on the all-time goalkicking leaderboard.

Franklin has booted 917 goals in 289 senior matches since debuting for Hawthorn in 2005.