Jarryd Roughead pays tribute to close mate Lance Franklin ahead of his 300th match
One of Lance Franklin’s closest mates Jarryd Roughead has hailed the Swans great a legend of the game as he reflects on the highs and lows they have shared together on and off the field.
Sydney
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They shared premierships together, but more importantly they united during their darkest times.
Lance Franklin was by Jarryd Roughead’s side when the retiring Hawthorn champion was diagnosed with cancer back in 2015.
And later that same year, the roles were reversed when Roughead rallied behind Franklin as he took time out of the game and missed a finals campaign to fight a mental health battle.
It was in these profound moments away from the bright lights that one of the AFL’s most dynamic duos showed its true strength.
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Former Hawk and now Swans great Franklin will celebrate his 300th match at the SCG on Saturday, nearly four years after declaring his decision to go public about his mental health condition changed his life for the better.
As Hawthorn teammates and then foes, Franklin and Roughead have shared centre stage for all the highs and lows the game can offer.
But while football brought them together, life’s lowest points which have defined their impenetrable bond.
“During the hardest period of my life, he stayed down (in Melbourne) that weekend and we all went away and caught up,” Roughead said as he paid tribute to Franklin for his 300th game.
“Nothing needs to be said in terms of, ‘what do you need me to do’ or anything like that. You just know you’ve got the support of him and others as well.
“Because Bud went through something similar, not cancer, but he went through his own health issues at the back end of 2015.
“While all that is going on you’re there as mates, because as we are learning now, footy doesn’t go on forever and you’re a long time retired.
“But knowing you’ve got those boys there (Jordan Lewis as well), it means more than anything. Because footy is only five minutes of your life compared to a lifetime of friendship.”
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Franklin attended Roughead’s farewell match last weekend, and the favour would have been returned for Buddy’s 300th, if it didn’t clash with Lewis’ farewell for the Melbourne Demons in Hobart.
Back in 2013 they all shared the dais at the MCG, but a year later Franklin was in the losing huddle as the Hawks lifted the trophy the year he defected to Sydney.
There were awkward and tense moments, but they didn’t last.
Roughead reflected on Franklin’s career, and said he feels lucky to have shared a forward line with a player who he says is without question, the most influential footballer of his era.
“Up in Sydney (you might not) have an idea of what goes on down here, but for the nine years he was here, and still to this day, he is the biggest thing,” Roughead said.
“He’s put AFL on the map in Sydney. He’s kept the Swans relevant and even though this period now where they’ve got some people going out, Bud will be the main attraction that gets people through the gates at the SCG.
“People talk about, has it been the right investment with him (for Sydney) and what not? But they played in two Grand Finals and every year (until this year) they’ve made the finals.
“Playing together you understood that you did what you had to do. I was lucky enough, and I still say it to this day, to play with arguably one of the top five players to ever play the game.
“To be in the same forward line as him for nine years, that’s something you don’t really get a chance to ever say. To be able to say it and then see him play 300 and next year, maybe, kick 1000 goals — that in itself says he’s a legend of the game.”