A return date for Swans forward Lance Franklin remains up in the air, says Sydney coach John Longmire.

The 36-year-old spent two weeks on the pine with a knee complaint after copping a knock in the final stages of Sydney's round four loss to Port Adelaide.

Franklin has been restricted to just four goals from his three games in 2023.

Despite Sydney clinching a win against Richmond the following week, scoring looks a real concern for the Swans with a number of key men missing with injury across the park - including fellow forward Joel Amarty.

In his post match press conference following the club's disastrous loss to Geelong in the grand final rematch at weekend, Longmire was unable to give an indication for Buddy's return.

On Monday the news wasn't made any clearer.

"We're not sure on Franklin…," he said. "We'll just have to wait and see."

With Sydney's troubles came a 93-point loss to the premiers, the largest defeat under Longmire's tenure since 2011.

The coach conceded the depleted line up, with the absence of Dane Rampe, Tom Hickey, and Paddy and Tom McCartin, alongside Amarty and Franklin, has had a huge impact.

"We can't expect to lose the contest as much as we did on the weekend, and the grand final, and expect to be competitive.

"We haven't been up to scratch in that intent aspect in those two games."