Adam Goodes is taking indefinite leave from Sydney as the extent of the emotional toll from the escalating booing controversy has taken on the player came to light on Wednesday with his withdrawal from Saturday's clash with Adelaide.
The Swans have taken the extraordinary step of giving Goodes extended leave, so concerned are they for the dual Brownlow Medallist, who has been at the centre of a race storm for more than two years.
No time frame has been placed on when Goodes will return to the club, raising further speculation as to whether the Swans' games record holder may have played his last match.
The latest episode in this sad story comes with the Swans in the midst of a form slump which is jeopardising their push at the premiership. Thrashed by Hawthorn and West Coast in the past fortnight, the Swans are in danger of falling out of the top four should they lose to the seventh-placed Crows, who have won their past two games after the death of coach Phil Walsh.
Although Goodes dropped himself at the start of the season, the 35-year-old has been one of the Swans' best players in the past month and his absence will be a blow to the club's chances of reviving their season.
Goodes, however, is struggling to come to terms with the negative reception afforded to him by the supporters of rival clubs and the impact it is having on his teammates. While he remains a pivotal factor to the Swans' on-field fortunes, club chief executive Andrew Ireland said the veteran's welfare off the field was "absolutely paramount".
"As a club we are working with Adam and those close to him and supporting him through what is a really difficult time," he said. "Adam is sick and tired of this behaviour. It has been happening for too long and it has taken its toll. We will give Adam all the time he needs. We will keep supporting him and he will return to the club whenever he is ready."
In much-needed good news for the Swans, Lance Franklin, Kurt Tippett and Mike Pyke are all in line to return from injury this week provided they come through training on Thursday.
Franklin would provide a massive boost to a forward line which has produced just 14 goals in the past two weeks. "The good news is that Lance is a chance to play," the Swans football manager Tom Harley said on the club's website.
"He twinged his back, was quiet sore and not overly mobile so he flew back early and got the treatment required. We have training tomorrow morning, Lance will test himself out there and we will have a clear picture then. It is positive signs at this stage and hopefully Lance gets up but we will make the call later in the week."
Tippett participated in ball work at training on Tuesday just over a week after having plates inserted into a broken hand.
"He needs to do a few more things to put his name up on the selection board but that could happen as quickly as tomorrow [Thursday]," Harley said.
Pyke trained lightly on Tuesday and a decision on his availability will be made after training on Thursday. The premiership ruckman is battling an ongoing knee complaint which has limited him to just three games in the past six weeks. He has finished each of the past two games in the red vest.
