‘Proved them wrong’: Lance Franklin’s swipe at ex-AFL boss Andrew Demetriou

Former AFL boss Andrew Demetriou was left red-faced after claiming it would be “very difficult” for Buddy Franklin to play in 2022.

Lance Franklin ahead of his press conference. Photo by Phil Hillyard

When Lance Franklin signed a nine-year deal with the Sydney Swans worth $10 million in 2014, the former Hawthorn champion inevitably had his doubters.

Even Andrew Demetriou, the AFL’s chief executive at the time, could hardly believe the eight-figure contract.

“I don’t think nine years can be right,” he said at the time.

“I think it’ll be very difficult for him to be playing in 2022.”

He couldn’t have been more wrong.

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Franklin will play in his sixth AFL grand final this weekend, taking on the Geelong Cats at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.

The 35-year-old forward, who has played 340 AFL games and kicked 1047 goals, will play on into 2023 after signing a one-year contract extension with the Swans.

According to The Herald Sun, the deal was worth just under $600,000.

Franklin has booted 52 goals from 22 matches this season, including two majors and a crucial mark in the dying stages of Saturday’s thrilling one-point victory over Collingwood in the preliminary final at the SCG.

No other player from the 2004 draft remains on an AFL list.

“There’s been a lot of knockers over the years, haven’t there?” Franklin told reporters at the SCG on Tuesday.

“When I first got here, people were knocking that I wouldn’t get there, I wouldn’t make it, I would play for four or five years and that’d be it.

“I’ve definitely proved them wrong, haven’t I?”

Current AFL boss Gillon McLachlan was also suspicious of the landmark nine-yeal deal, declaring in 2013: “I think this is a risky agreement, but on the other hand administrations and boards run football clubs.

“I’ve conceded that I do think it’s a risky agreement.”

“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else”❤️

Buddy speaking to media at the SCG. pic.twitter.com/LwFQHm69Si

— Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) September 19, 2022

Franklin admitted it was a “50-50” call on whether he’d retire or play on into a 19th season, but the eight-time All-Australian claimed he never considered playing for a third club.

“Me and Jesinta and my family, we came to the decision we wanted to stay in Sydney. It was a long process to come to that decision,” he said.

“I wasn’t sure whether I was going to go on, but I’ve come to the decision that I’ve still got the passion and love the game. I’ve enjoyed every minute of this year, we’ve got such an exciting group here and to go on another year is just a no-brainer for me.

“It hasn’t been easy. I’ve been in the game for a long time, I’ve got a young family now, so it was a hard decision. But my passion for the game, my love for this football club, my heart is still here and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

“I’m just so proud I get to go on for another year – that’s great – but my main focus is this week. It’s what we play football for is to play in Grand Finals and I get another opportunity this week to go out there and do what I love.

“As the year went on and I spoke to the people that I care about, the decision was made clear that I needed to go on and there was unfinished business. Obviously we get the opportunity to win a Grand Final this week, but I feel like I’ve still got a little bit to give.

“I’ve still got that passion and drive to want to compete. Until that goes, that’s when I’ll finish up. It hasn’t gone at the moment, so I’m still pumped and ready to go for this weekend.”

Lance Franklin during the Sydney Swans open training session at the SCG. Photo by Phil Hillyard

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

He currently sits behind Doug Wade (1057), Jason Dunstall (1254), Gordon Coventry (1299) and Tony Lockett (1360) on the all-time VFL/AFL goalkicker list.

The four-time Coleman Medal recipient needs four majors on Saturday to equal Dunstall’s 78 goals in finals, which is second behind Coventry’s 111.

“Geelong have won 16 in a row, so they’re in some fantastic form,” Franklin said.

“We’re playing some good football, so we’re just going to go down there, give it our all and see how we go.”

Originally published as ‘Proved them wrong’: Lance Franklin’s swipe at ex-AFL boss Andrew Demetriou