Is Lance Franklin a smart SuperCoach selection in 2018?

LANCE Franklin won plenty of SuperCoach grand finals off his own boot last year. And Saturday’s display will have plenty wondering whether to back him again in 2018. Our experts have their say.

LANCE Franklin has produced some of the biggest SuperCoach games in recent years — and some of the game’s most frustrating moments.

And on Saturday he showed just how valuable he can be, churning out the second-most points of any player (134) in his side’s JLT Series win.

The veteran carved up the Lions in a four-goal display that would have had many SuperCoaches ooh-ing and ahh-ing.

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But has he shown enough over the years to get the start in your team this year? Or should you be passing on him in favour of some mid-forwards?

Buddy is one of the biggest names in the competition, and he has the game to back it up.

Lance Franklin has started 2018 in ominous style. Pic: Getty Images

WHY YOU SHOULD PICK HIM

THERE are few better sights in football than when Buddy is in full flight. He can dominate a game and turn it on its head in an instant. A sudden burst from him can put his team in a winning position and your SuperCoach score over the top. He is a game breaker, and those types of players are rewarded with big SuperCoach scores.

WHEN he goes big, he often goes really big. Last season he put in three games over 150 (160, 164 and 183). Importantly, those last two scores came in the SuperCoach semi-final and grand final. If you had Buddy in the GF and your opponent didn’t, he almost certainly delivered you some SuperCoach silverware.

BUDDY has put together two seasons in a row now with an average in the high 90s, the first time he has done that since 2011-12. His average of 98.3 last season ranks him as the second-best scorer among those players with forward eligibility this season. Importantly, among the top seven averaging forwards this year, he is the only one that played all 22 games last season.

THE retirement of Kurt Tippett means that there is one less player up forward that Buddy needs to contend with. The Swans will still need to get their goals and without Tippet up forward to contribute, Buddy should get an extra few looks at the footy.

Lance Franklin offers high rewards in SuperCoach. How big is the risk? Picture: Phil Hillyard

WHY YOU SHOULDN’T PICK HIM

WHILE Buddy has some massive games, he knows how to put in a stinker as well. Last season he had six games under 80 with two of them in the 40s. That is a huge concern for you as it can lose you a game when you are relying on him as your big-priced forward.

WHILE having Tippett out of the side can be a good thing for Buddy, it can also hurt his game. Buddy may not be able to push up the ground as much as they may need him to stay at home and be the tall marking option in the square more often. With Tippett in the side it did draw one tall defender. Without him there and perhaps a less dangerous tall option, both could go to Buddy.

FRANKLIN has avoided too much trouble lately with the tribunal, but we do know he has the propensity to snap and do something stupid on the field. We have seen in recent days that the new head of the MRP has come out saying that they are going to take a dim view on jumper punches which could spell bad news for Buddy, who does like to exert his authority on the field.

DISCIPLINE is a longstanding issue. Franklin gave away the sixth-most free kicks in the AFL last year (42) and since 2012 he has given away 12 50m penalties, the equal sixth-most of any player. They all result in negative points for your team.

IF YOU like a unique selection in your team, then Buddy may not be the man for you. He found his way into 37 per cent of teams by the end of last season. If he maintains the form of previous seasons he will probably be a popular player once again this year.

THE VERDICT

GILBERT GARDINER: Buddy has long been a favourite of mine but in the pursuit of league wins and overall ranking, I just can’t go with my heart any longer.

AL PATON: Hasn’t been in my plans, which is slightly odd considering the lack of good options up forward this year. I’ve got teammate Isaac Heeney ahead of him, but no doubt he will make me regret it at some point.

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