‘Plot thickens’: Buddy Franklin brushes AFL legend over contract question

Buddy Franklin has been the talk of the AFL this week over his contract rumours but the man himself is keeping a tight lip.

Buddy Franklin opted not to open up on his contract status.

Even though Buddy Franklin’s next contract has been the talk of the AFL this week, not even one of the game’s legends could get the 35-year-old to give any further details.

Franklin kicked a goal in the Sydney Swans’ shock 11.16 (82) to 9.11 (65) win over Fremantle in Perth, to move just one goal shy of Gary Ablett Sr. in fifth on the all-time goal list.

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After the match, Fremantle legend and 2022 AFL Hall of Fame inductee Matthew Pavlich tried to get Franklin to speak on the contract drama which has engulfed the week.

Reports emerged earlier this week Franklin could be willing to leave the Swans for another club or retire after Sydney “lowballed” the superstar.

However, Franklin has played this game before.

“I’ve played for 18 years mate so I’m pretty much used to all that commentary,” he said.

“You just put it to the side, move on, come out here, everyone as I said played really well and really happy with that win.”

Pavlich responded: “But you like the red and the white I’m sure?”

Franklin laughed, said “mate” and shook Pavlich’s hands as he walked off.

Although it’s the answer that most would expected, Pavlich’s Fox Footy colleagues scored it 1-0 for Buddy.

“Too clever for Pav,” Jason Dunstall said.

“He just brushed that one,” Adam Papalia added.

CODE Sports’ Daniel Cherny tweeted: “Buddy Franklin effectively declines to answer a question on Fox about whether he wants to stay at Sydney. Plot thickens.”

Buddy booted a goal. Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Earlier in the week, Franklin’s wife Jesinta, who has also become an accredited player agent, told Channel 7’s The Morning Show Buddy has “got options”.

“We’re really happy in Sydney – at the moment – and we’ve got our life set up here, so we’ll just have to see what happens,” she said.

“I still feel like he’s got lots to give, and he still feels like he’s got great footy (left in him), and he feels so good.

“He keeps saying, ‘I feel like I’m 21,’ which is great. And the stats really show that as well.”

She also hinted the family wanted to spend six months overseas on a “European summer”.

A Herald Sun report claimed Franklin was being “lowballed” at $500,000 a season, while Franklin is demanding at least $700,000 as part of a one-year extension package.

Despite the offer, the Swans want Franklin to finish his career in Sydney, but he hasn’t ruled out joining a third AFL club.

While Franklin has been injury prone in recent years, the scenes of fans flooding onto the SCG when he kicked his 1000th career goal earlier this year showed he is still one of the sport’s biggest drawcards.

On-field, the Swans’ 17-point win pushed the side just one win out of the top four.

Impressive youngster Chad Warner had 35 touches and kicked an important goal that gave the Swans the lead in the third term.

With five rounds to go, the dangerous Swans are now only one win from a spot in the top four.

Buddy has his eyes on the prize. Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Sydney produced yet another strong second half, having trailed by 23 points early in the second term.

After kicking an inaccurate 3.8 in the first half and trailing by 15 points at the main break, the Swans straightened up.

They kicked 8.8 to 3.6 after the main break, strangling the Dockers in attack.

The Swans have a chance to consolidate their place in the top eight over the next three weeks with games against Adelaide, Greater Western Sydney and North Melbourne, who all sit below them on the ladder.

But coach John Longmire is not getting ahead of himself.

“If you get processes right, that stuff takes care of itself,” he said.

“We’ll see how it goes next week against Adelaide.

“We’ve been up and down a bit this year, in games and week to week. We need a bit of consistency.

“But the last two weeks have been good.”

With NCA Newswire

Originally published as ‘Plot thickens’: Buddy Franklin brushes AFL legend over contract question