‘We hadn’t had enough of Buddy’: Lance Franklin’s lasting legacy in the Sydney Swans forward line

Many experts have claimed that the Swans are now a better team without Lance Franklin. But the truth is, they’re only in that position because of him, writes LACHLAN McKIRDY.

There was always going to be closer scrutiny on the Swans’ young forwards in 2024 following the retirement of Buddy Franklin.

Franklin retired last season as one of the greats of the game, and potentially the last player to pass 1000 goals in his career. His impact on the field during his decade in Sydney was enormous for the Swans, as was his ability to draw a crowd.

But it’s a testament to his star power that John Longmire’s side is in such a strong position to fill his boots.

Leigh Matthews has joined the chorus of experts claiming that the Swans are a better side without Franklin in their team. The fact is, however, they’re a better side because of what he was able to do in his last few years in the AFL.

Franklin played 48 games for Sydney across the past three seasons, kicking 122 goals. On its own, that’s a solid return of 2.5 goals a game heading into his mid-30s. It’s also a similar ratio to 35-year-old Tom Hawkins who has kicked 116 goals in his past 45 matches.

But in each of those 48 games for the Swans, Franklin always commanded the No. 1 defender.

Franklin’s impact was more than just goals as he paved the way for the next generation of Sydney forwards. Picture: Phil Hillyard

His potential to do the impossible meant that opposition coaches had no other choice.

And that’s one of his biggest parting gifts to the Swans, that he was able to give their young talls the space, both on and off the field, to grow.

Logan McDonald played 30 of his first 39 games alongside Franklin. For Hayden McLean, it was 26 of his first 48 games, and for Joel Amartey, it was 17 of his first 24.

Their goal records understandably improved when Franklin was out of the side, but the experience they gained from playing with him was priceless.

McDonald naturally is the most exciting prospect at Sydney after being taken with the number four selection in the 2020 draft. The early stages of his career have shown signs of real promise with flashes of potential.

But unlike the constant pressure on other young forwards, McDonald has been afforded the room to mature at his own pace. While being outside the ‘footy bubble’ in Sydney plays a role, there’s no doubt that Franklin’s presence meant that all eyes were usually on him.

“I think one of (Franklin’s) great legacies … was his ability to be a star player and win us games. That was a key one for a long time,” Longmire said.

“But the other part was it allowed our younger key forwards to come through and Lance was able to take the key defenders from the opposition for so long. It allowed those younger key forwards like Logan and Joel to come through and develop physically, which is really important.

“His last year or two was as much about that as what he was able to deliver for us winning games. I think that’s really important to note that his legacy at the footy club is far-reaching.”

McDonald impressed with four goals against Collingwood. Picture: Phil Hillyard

There is often an unrealistic expectation that young forwards, especially those taken high in the draft, will come into the AFL and immediately have an impact. That pressure has been felt at times by the likes of McDonald, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and more recently Aaron Cadman at the Giants.

Cadman’s teammate, Jesse Hogan, went through the same path a decade ago and can tell how quickly that discussion has changed.

“(The external pressure) is getting worse and worse each year, and key forward is probably the hardest position on the field to play, to be honest,” Hogan said.

“To come in and have the expectation that (Cadman’s) just going to command the forward line is probably a little bit too extreme.

“But that’s just footy … he’s handled it well, he’s a good kid, and we’re slowly starting to see why he went pick one.”

Yet for McDonald’s development over the past three years, he’s had the added benefit of the best seat in the house to one of the greatest of all time.

Franklin’s longevity became an added benefit for McDonald’s development. Picture: Phil Hillyard

His four goals against Collingwood last Friday suggest he’s ready to take charge of the Swans’ forward line. And that was because of Franklin’s influence, with Longmire making clear that the Swans never wanted their relationship with the veteran forward to end early.

“I think the natural progression of young key forwards is a bit different than maybe young midfielders and I think you see that across the competition consistently,” Longmire said.

“If you track (Logan’s) progression, it’s always been about getting bigger and stronger and playing senior football along the way. He’s played a fair bit of senior footy now for a young, key forward and I think that’s been good for him to be introduced.

“Lance has been one of the most popular players we’ve had at this footy club … so we hadn’t had enough of Lance.

“He was 36. Strangely enough, you get to the stage where … you get to the end of your career and he mightn’t have been as key as far as on-the-field performance to what he was at 26, but I think that’s natural. But he’s contributed in so many other ways.”

Originally published as ‘We hadn’t had enough of Buddy’: Lance Franklin’s lasting legacy in the Sydney Swans forward line