AFL Sir Doug Nicholls round: Lance Franklin sit down, nominates favourite current Indigenous player

Buddy Franklin names former teammates Cyril Rioli and Adam Goodes among the best Indigenous players he’s seen and loves the way a current Demon plays the game.

Lance Franklin loves watching Kysaiah Pickett of the Demons Picture: Getty Images

Lance Franklin is one of the game’s greatest players and has been a promiment advocate for Indigenous Australians throughout his career. He chatted with News Corp ahead of the Sydney’s highly anticipated clash against Richmond at the SCG tonight in what is the second week of the AFL’s Sir Doug Nicholls round.

How important is the AFL’s Sir Doug Nicholls round to you?

Sir Doug Nicholls round is always an exciting and special round for all players and fans, it is a great way to celebrate our culture and what we bring to the game. The Swans have been playing the Marn Grook since 2002, it is a round the club holds in high regard and is always one that I am proud to play.

Which current Indigenous player do you enjoy watching?

Melbourne’s Kysaiah Pickett is always one who I enjoy to watch. He’s only young but you can already see he has a lot of football smarts about him. I’m looking forward to watching his career unfold.

Who is the greatest Indigenous player you have seen, played with and played against?

Some of the greatest players I have seen would be Cyril Rioli and Adam Goodes and I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to play alongside both of them.

How far has the game come for Indigenous footballers since you started in the system?

The game has come a long way as I think we have as a country, with reconciliation being at the forefront, through reconciliation action plans and the Indigenous talent pathway it has allowed for more indigenous players to be recognised and celebrated.

Do you think there should be a team in Darwin/Northern Territory?

I would love to see a team anywhere that widens the opportunities for more players in the game, regardless of where the teams are it is just important to make sure there are enough partnerships and pathway opportunities in place for players no matter where they live, rural, remote or in the city all young talent should have the chance to be seen. At the Swans I’m part of the club’s RAP Committee and we’re in the process of building a First Nation’s talent pathway program for boys and girls which will launch later this year. The program is another avenue that will create opportunities for more Indigenous kids to play footy.

What sort of inspiration are past Sydney Indigenous greats Michael O’Loughlin and Adam Goodes to you?

Michael and Adam were great to watch but also do great work off the field teaching, recognising, and celebrating our culture in the game. In our Marn Grook game the best on ground receives the Goodes O’Loughlin Medal which is a fitting tribute.

How important has it been having an Indigenous liaison officer full time in each of the 18 clubs?

Having a liaison officer in the clubs is very important, it is important to have these representatives to make sure that we walk together with any decisions or celebrations that involve our culture and people. Earlier this week, Jarred Hodges our Indigenous strategy and development manager at the Swans organised for all our staff and players to head over to Goat Island where we had the privilege of being part of a cultural experience with Tribal Warrior. It was a great initiative for the Sir Doug Nicholls Round where I think everyone who went along learned something about First Nation’s culture.

The Sydney Swans have a new Indigenous guernsey this year, what can you tell us about it?

Our new jumper has been designed by Lua Pellegrini who was a student with Michael and Adam’s GO Foundation. Our RAP committee discussed creating a guernsey that would represent all of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players who have played for the club and I think Lua has done a great job of bringing that to life in her design.

Originally published as AFL Sir Doug Nicholls round: Lance Franklin sit down, nominates favourite current Indigenous player