Lance Franklin speaks on what his 350th game means to him & how he wants to be remembered

Lance Franklin may go down as the greatest player of this century, but the man himself says he just wants to be remembered as someone who just had fun. He tells all to Lauren Wood.

Portrait of Sydney Swans footballer Lance Franklin at Sydney Swans HQ. Franklin this week plays his 350th AFL game. Photo by Phil Hillyard (Image Supplied for Editorial Use only - **NO ON SALES** - ©Phil Hillyard )

Genetics, “a little bit of luck” and a deep sense of enjoyment of the game have been the recipe for helping Lance Franklin reach an incredible 350th game this week.

The superstar forward, 36, will mark the milestone against St Kilda on Thursday night in what is set to be an evening of family, friends and football at the SCG.

It’s been a career that has spanned two clubs, two cities, two premierships and 19 years.

It’s not over yet.

But Franklin said he has been forced to confront some “mentally challenging” honest truths.

“Genetics is probably a big factor in (getting to 350 games),” he said.

Lance Franklin admits his 350th game will be “an enormous achievement”. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“You obviously have to have a little bit of luck. I think looking after yourself and managing your body, being up front and honest with yourself too.

“You can’t do what you did when you first started. You can’t be doing every training session, which is for me is pretty hard.

“You want to be able to do everything. Once you get a little bit older you need to manage yourself, to make sure that you’re right to go game day.

“That can be mentally challenging at times, because everyone wants to train as much as possible.

“But when you get to my age, you’ve got to manage yourself as best as possible and do all the right things to make sure you can get out there.”

In a rare twist, it will be the fourth milestone Franklin has reached against the Saints, with a 2-1 record in his favour across his 100th, 200th and 300th games.

He is determined to ensure the celebrations remain “low key”, with the key forward opening up in an interview with Sydney Swans media in his only expansive comments for the week and the season thus far.

Wife Jesinta, children Tallulah and Rocky and his family and friends will be at the ground for what he acknowledges will be “a special night” in a football journey that included last year’s epic 1000th goal celebration, though the notoriously private Swan’s children won’t run out onto the ground with him.

Lance Franklin after kicking goal 1000. Picture: Getty Images

Franklin doesn’t want to talk about the future beyond this year. It is understood there is yet to be a decision either way – that will come later.

As for how he wants to be remembered, his answer is simple.

“(As) someone that had a crack … and just had fun,” Franklin said with a smile.

“That’s been the biggest thing throughout my journey is that I’ve kept things pretty simple and I think the key has been obviously that enjoyment part.

“That’s probably why I’ve lasted so long, because I keep things simple, go out there with a smile on my face and just enjoy it. Whether that’s training, whether that’s doing weights, pilates, just having fun and building strong relationships with everyone here.”

By the end of this season – his 10th at the Swans after declaring “one more” when he signed a one-year contract extension at the end of 2022 – Franklin’s game tally could have him inside the league’s top 15 players for total career games.

“It’s a lot of games,” he laughed.

“It’s something I’m very proud of, there’s no doubt about that. To reach 350 games in AFL football is an enormous achievement. To play 50 games is a huge achievement, 100 games, 150. To become a life member at two footy clubs is something very special to me and I’m very proud of it.”

Franklin says his approach to the game has been “simple”. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Twelve games remain this season – more should the Swans sneak into September – and Franklin is determined to be “just really enjoying it”.

“We haven’t got off to the best of starts this year so that’s been a little bit disappointing,” he said.

“We’ve had the rough trot with injuries this year especially with key players out so I think probably the key is just to keep playing the way we have been for the last two games, get some key personnel back and then hopefully we can go on a run.”

A knee knock earlier this year saw him sidelined for Gather Round, but the eight-time All-Australian and four-time Coleman medallist affirmed that his body is “feeling pretty good” after some tweaking of his training program.

“Playing the game for so long, especially these last few years, I’ve been managed well by the club and they’ve looked after me and made sure I’m able to get out there most weeks which has been really good,” he said.

“I’m still enjoying it, loving it, passionate about it.

“We’ve got a great group here at the footy club, and hopefully we can go out there on Thursday night and get the win.”

Originally published as Lance Franklin speaks on what his 350th game means to him & how he wants to be remembered