SuperFooty Podcast: Do the Swans have to win a premiership for the Buddy Franklin era to be deemed a success?

SYDNEY must win a premiership to justify the recruitment of Lance Franklin, the SuperFooty Podcast’s Sam Edmund says.

Sam Edmund says it’s a big week for the No. 23 up in Sydney. Picture. Phil Hillyard

SYDNEY must win a premiership for the Lance Franklin era to be deemed a success, the SuperFooty Podcast’s Sam Edmund says.

With the Swans one win away, Edmund says the Sydney superstar is cherry ripe to deliver on the biggest stage against the Dogs on Saturday.

“What a big week it is for the 23 for Sydney, Lance Franklin,” he told Mick Warner and Anthony Hudson today.

“This is why they got him.

“Not just to put bums on seats, that’s all great, not just for ratings, not just for merchandise.

“To actually win a flag.”

Mick said it was Franklin’s second grand final in three years.

“Yeah, and That’s all good, but they don’t remember that, do they?” Sam countered.

“They remember you winning premierships.

Sam said Franklin was back at the peak of his powers after a public battle with mental health issues derailed last season’s campaign.

They didn’t recruit him to just put bums on seats... but he’s helped. Picture. Phil Hillyard

He said the recruitment of the former Hawthorn star had cost the Swans players, like gun ruckman Shane Mumford.

And they would continue to pay the price, with prized midfielder Tom Mitchell likely to be squeezed out.

“They cannot let him go,” Mick Warner said.

“He is an absolute superstar extractor.

“You cannot let that guy go.”

“380 (thousand) is what we’ve heard he’s been offered and that is insult money.”

Mick wondered whether the Swans were now in the conversation for best team with the likes of Brisbane’s three-peat, the Hawks four flags and Geelong’s brilliant run.

“If they win this one, that’ll be three — that is a phenomenal run,” he said.

The Podcast boys also:

■ Recapped the weekend’s preliminary final action

■ Wondered whether the Dogs could complete the fairytale by knocking off the more fancied Swans on the weekend

■ Explored the Cats woes and discussed the future of veterans Jimmy Bartel and Corey Enright.

■ Pondered the question of whether Lin Jong — and Matthew Suckling — should play in the grand final and who might make way for them.

■ Gave their Grand Final and Norm Smith tips

■ Wondered if the Brownlow tonight could be the most boring ever

Originally published as SuperFooty Podcast: Do the Swans have to win a premiership for the Buddy Franklin era to be deemed a success?