Lance Franklin not bothered by talk Sydney should trade him to fast track its rebuild

Sydney to trade Lance Franklin? The superstar forward has responded to the talk earlier this season the club should consider trading him to fast track its rebuild — and he’s got a significant point to prove.

Lance Franklin says trade talk has been “water off a duck’s back”. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Lance Franklin has fired back at speculation Sydney should trade him, declaring he is out to “prove people wrong” as he pushes for a blockbuster return on Friday night at the SCG.

A storm erupted earlier in the year when Collingwood great Tony Shaw, Essendon legend Matthew Lloyd and former Western Bulldogs captain Bob Murphy suggested the Swans could be best served trying to trade their $10 million man and clear the decks for a complete rebuild.

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The argument centred around Sydney accepting that its ‘premiership window’ was closed, and that it could move on a 32-year-old Franklin and bring in an influx of top draft picks that would set the club up for another era of dominance.

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Franklin left it to coach John Longmire and others to shut down the rumours at the time, but ahead of his looming return against Collingwood, he has broken his silence and bristled at the doubt cast over his ability to recapture his scintillating best over the final four years of his Swans contract.

Frustrated after four weeks out with a hamstring injury, the caged lion leaves no doubt he’s determined to reassert himself at the top of the food chain.

Lance Franklin says trade talk has been “water off a duck’s back”. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“I’ve been in football for a long time so it’s water off a duck’s back for me to be honest,” said Franklin in response to trade talk.

“I’m contracted for another four years. What can you do (about the talk)?

“It’s pretty hard when you’re not playing though isn’t it, to prove people wrong.

“At the end of the day that’s a comment by the media and I just get on with it. It’s difficult when you’re injured and you can’t do anything about it.”

Goalkicking all-time great Lloyd said on radio Sydney would have to “seriously consider” a Buddy trade, while Murphy said Franklin himself might appreciate a fresh chance at a club capable of winning a premiership.

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Since then the Swans have rallied with back-to-back wins and the emergence of young stars Nick Blakey and Tom McCartin has suggested the rebuild may not be a long-term one.

Franklin was hampered by injury last year to the point he barely trained and after missing most of this pre-season, he has now been forced to sit on the sidelines for four weeks after a slow start, by his lofty standards, in the opening rounds.

However, Swans coach Longmire insists Franklin’s prime is not finished. Longmire is confident some of Buddy’s best years remain ahead of him.

Franklin in action at training ahead of the clash against Collingwood. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“Oh yeah, absolutely. He’s an All-Australian captain last year and he’s been good this year, even off no pre-season,” Longmire told The Daily Telegraph last month.

“He is so absolutely invested in this. He’s fantastic with his investment.

“His interaction in our meetings and with the coaches, driving the standards, he’s fantastic. He sits there and goes through Tommy McCartin’s tape and Nick Blakey’s, and he’s loving it.

“I think absolutely (some of his best is still ahead). You can only go by what he’s been able to do last year and so far this year. He’s still a reasonable force in the game.

“How that looks in the next two or three years, who knows, but you can only comment on what we’ve seen so far.”

Franklin says he loves helping young players and doesn’t rule out a move into coaching post his playing career.

“Who knows what the future holds in terms of coaching,” said Franklin.

“I definitely do enjoy that side of things in terms of educating young guys about their football. But yeah, that’s still a while away. It’s so good to see the development of these young guys so far and they’re learning constantly and they’re improving every week.”