Lance Franklin makes first public appearance

Lance Franklin has stepped out in public for the first time since revealing he was suffering from mental health issues.

The Sydney Swans super star was seen leaving the club head office this morning with his fiancé Jesinta Campbell.

Franklin has not been around the club since pulling out of the club’s qualifying final against Fremantle in the first week of the finals.

He also missed their semi-final against North Melbourne and was a no-show at the Brownlow Medal.

The club and the AFL have gone to great lengths to give Franklin the space and privacy he has needed to deal with what they say are ‘ongoing mental health issues.’

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Franklin was accompanied to and from the club by Campbell as well, the first time the pair have been seen together as well since Buddy took a break from football.

Amid rumour and innuendo about Franklin, Campbell has stood staunchly by her partner.

She also hit out at a columnist who wrote a listicle about why the pair should postpone their wedding.

"If there is anyone out there who has or is currently suffering from mental illness, I want to make something very clear to you. Your challenges do not define you and your suffering does not make you less appealing as a life partner," she said.

"Today's article was shallow, and given the seriousness of mental health challenges, in my opinion, irresponsible!”

In welcome news for Swans fans Franklin seemed happy and beamed a big smile at the waiting media.

The Swans coach, John Longmire was confident Franklin would return to football in 2016.

“Lance is coming along really well,” Longmire said on ABC radio.

“He’s been getting great support from professionals which is the way to do it.

“We’ve been leaving the support network to those professionals as they’re the ones with the most qualifications.

“We’re really confident he’ll be bouncing back for a terrific preseason.”

Watch 7 News tonight for the full story.