Lance Franklin future: Sydney Swans legend signs new one-year deal
Sydney announced Lance Franklin’s new deal with a two-word message. But it didn’t go down well with some fans, who thought the superstar was retiring after the Grand Final.
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Lance Franklin’s contract stalemate is over with Sydney’s megastar forward signing a one-year extension on the eve of his sixth AFL grand final.
The bombshell announcement follows months of speculation that Franklin could retire or play for a third club next season after he felt he was being lowballed by the Swans.
The Herald Sun exclusively revealed in July that Sydney’s contract offer of about $500,000 had left Franklin contemplating his future.
That pay packet would’ve been more than a 50 per cent pay cut on what Franklin is earning this season and he was believed to be asking for closer to $800,000.
Franklin parked contract talks until the end of the season, which Swans chief executive Tom Harley said this month was a “smart decision”.
But there has been a September breakthrough in what shapes as a major boost as the Swans plot to win their third premiership this century.
The timing also removes all speculation that the grand final against Geelong could be the last time Franklin graces a football field.
"One more."#Bloodspic.twitter.com/tK5K6AZIvb
— Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) September 19, 2022
Game, season or flag?!? pic.twitter.com/C2hDVxl5Gn
— duggee (@duggee6) September 19, 2022
ONE MORE GAME OR ONE MORE YEAR #Bloods
— C L A I R E (@ClaireeBear95) September 19, 2022
One more game or one more season?
— Karl Hungus (@kiwimusiclover) September 19, 2022
One more game or one more year? he looks so invested in this group and club. And still plays well. But wouldn't it be amazing to leave the big stage with another Premiership?
— Florian Christoph (@Florian_Ire) September 19, 2022
Great that he's signed on for one more decade! Bold move by the Swans.
— Merric Foley (@merricfoley) September 19, 2022
The game’s most watchable star will be 36 next season and is now on track to celebrate his 350th game midway through 2023.
No other player from the 2004 draft remains on an AFL list.
Franklin’s football mortality came into sharp focus after he was comprehensively beaten by dual All-Australian Steven May in the qualifying final.
“Buddy is looking old to me,” AFL legend Leigh Matthews said.
“Someone said to me once you can look old overnight and I reckon Buddy is now looking like a player … (who) is starting to age.”
However Swans insiders were confident Franklin would wind back the clock in the preliminary final after he dominated last week’s match simulation during the bye.
Coach John Longmire was thrilled with Franklin’s start against Collingwood on Saturday and pointed out that May was also a “great” player.
“He was winning contest after contest and he was chasing,” Longmire said.
“He was up and going, the big ‘Bud’. I thought he gave us a lot of energy.”
Franklin polled one coach’s vote in the preliminary final.
Remarkably, the fresh contract is the first time the Swans have had to renegotiate with their champion.
Franklin’s nine-year, $10 million contract that was signed in 2013 expires after the grand final against Geelong.
Franklin has booted 11.9 from his five grand finals and was Sydney’s best in the 2014 loss to Hawthorn.
He won premierships in 2008 and 2013 but played in losses in 2012, 2014 and 2016.
Franklin is now almost certain to finish his career as the fourth-best goalkicker in VFL-AFL history.
The 35-year-old who celebrated his 1000th goal against Geelong in round 2 overtook Gary Ablett Snr’s tally of 1031 this season.
Franklin’s 1047 goals is only behind Doug Wade (1057), Jason Dunstall (1254), Gordon Coventry (1299) and Tony Lockett (1360).
Franklin needs four goals against the Cats on Saturday to equal Dunstall’s 78 goals in finals, which is second behind Coventry’s 111.
The deal continues Sydney’s spree of September signings, with Franklin (2023), co-captain Callum Mills (2029), Tom McCartin (2027), Paddy McCartin (2024) and Robbie Fox (2022) all recommitting recently.
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