Lance Franklin is set to start in Sydney's elimination final after being named All-Australian captain, a remarkable turnaround from his injury-plagued season.

What happened?

Franklin finished fourth in the Coleman medal with 57 goals, despite struggling with injuries and missing the round-23 loss to Hawthorn with a groin problem.
He declared himself ready for the sudden-death final, saying his groin has recovered well.

Why it matters for Lance Franklin

This is Franklin's eighth All-Australian selection, a feat only four other players have achieved in the league's post-carnival era.
He has never been captain at Hawthorn or Sydney but continues to make a significant impact.

What comes next?

Franklin will lead Sydney into the elimination final, looking to put his injury frustrations behind him and make a strong finish to the season.
He spent three weeks on the track prior to the GWS game, which helped him recover and be part of the team.
Franklin's All-Australian captaincy is a humbling experience, and he feels he has worked hard to become the player he is today.
He provided the quote of the evening at the All-Australian Awards, saying he would tell his teammates to 'kick it to me' if they had a pre-game huddle.
The All-Australian team features two specialist ruckmen for the first time since 2012, with Melbourne's Max Gawn named the No 1 ruckman and Brodie Grundy on the bench.
Geelong star Patrick Dangerfield received his sixth All-Australian blazer and was named vice-captain of the ceremonial team.
The Tigers had the most nominations in the initial squad and also boasted the most players in the 22 with four.
Franklin's return to form is a significant boost for Sydney, and he will be looking to make a strong impact in the elimination final.
He has been working hard to recover from his injuries and is now ready to lead his team into the finals.
The All-Australian captaincy is a well-deserved recognition of Franklin's hard work and dedication to the sport.
He will be looking to use this momentum to drive his team forward and make a strong finish to the season.
Franklin's experience and skill will be crucial in the elimination final, and he will be looking to make a significant impact.
The stage is set for a thrilling finals series, and Franklin's return to form has added an extra layer of excitement to the competition.