Buddy close as Sydney star Lance Franklin just fails to add Brownlow to his Coleman Medal

LANCE Franklin has come within a whisker of adding the Brownlow Medal to his already swelling trophy cabinet.

LANCE Franklin has come within a whisker of adding the Brownlow Medal to his already swelling trophy cabinet.

Franklin finished equal second with early favourite Gary Ablett on 22 votes, four behind winner Matt Priddis on 26.

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Had he won he would have become the first player to win the Coleman and Brownlow medals in the same year.

Franklin with Kieren Jack, Jarrad McVeigh, Josh Kennedy and Luke Parker at the SCG.

Franklin’s effort was made even more impressive by the fact he missed three games, ­including the final-round loss to Richmond.

Josh Kennedy also missed the last two games of the season and still managed to finish equal fifth with Joel Selwood, Patrick Dangerfield and Travis Boak on 20 votes in his best ­result in the award.

Sydney Swans forward Lance Franklin and girlfriend Jesinta Campbell. Picture: Phil Hillyard

There were some nervous moments for Franklin and Kennedy when they moved close to the top of the leaderboard but the pair knew the challenge would be difficult because of the matches they missed due to injury.

Had Franklin won he would have been the first forward to claim the award since St Kilda’s Tony Lockett in 1987.

The Swans have won more Brownlows than any other club in the competition with 14.

Matt Priddis celebrates a goal against Collingwood. Picture: Daniel Wilkins

Brownlow Medal winner Matt Priddis. Picture: Michael Klein

Team-of-the-century player Herbie Matthews won their first in 1940 and they haven’t stopped winning them since.

Adam Goodes is the most recent Swans winner, claiming the medal in 2003 and 2006.

Paul Kelly put his name on the map in 1995 and star midfielders Greg Williams Gerard Healy won the medal just two years apart in 1986 and 1988 respectively.

Kennedy and girlfriend Ana Calle during the Brownlow Medal count. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Former captain Barry Round was one of the awards most popular winners when he shared the medal with his great mate from Fitzroy Bernie Quinlan.

In 1977 another Swans ruckman Graham Teasdale made a name for himself as much for what he wore as winning the Brownlow.

Teasdale sported a brown velour jacket which set a standard for fashion which has yet to be matched since.

Originally published as Buddy close as Sydney star Lance Franklin just fails to add Brownlow to his Coleman Medal