He’s not quite promising a magical 100-goal campaign, but superstar forward Lance Franklin is plotting to deliver a stylish encore in his second AFL season with the Sydney Swans.
After an inauspicious start to his Swans career, when he drew more headlines for his off-field form, Franklin exploded into action to land a third Coleman Medal last season and finish equal third in the Brownlow Medal count.
But Sydney’s $10 million man says he’s hungry to top his 2014 heroics and help the Swans go one better after spending six months stewing over the painful grand final spanking he suffered at the hands of his old Hawthorn teammates.
“I’m fully motivated,” Franklin said after declaring himself raring to go for Saturday’s season opener against Essendon after recovering from a sickening head clash with teammate Gary Rohan.
“The boys are just pumped for this season. We can’t wait to get out there.
“We’re motivated and we want to play the best football we can.
“That’s not just for one game. That’s for the whole season. We know our best is very good. It’s just a matter of bringing that week in, week out.”
Franklin was the spearhead as the Swans chalked up a record-equalling 12 straight wins for the first time since 1935 to march into last year’s premiership decider.
But, at 28, he’s at the peak of his powers and hoping to get even better.
“There’s always improvements,” Franklin said.
“I reckon I’ve had probably a little bit of a better pre-season than what I did this time last year.”
He booted 67 majors – plus another dozen in the finals – to claim his third Coleman Medal in the Swans’ charge to the minor premiership.
But he kicked 102 in 2008, the only player to crack the 100-goal barrier in a season since Swans legend Tony Lockett a decade earlier.
The box-office forward is “not too sure” if 100-goal seasons are still possible in an era of double-up defensive structures, but he’ll certainly be trying.
“Hopefully someone does it. We’ll see,” Franklin said.
With an average haul of five goals a game against the Bombers, Franklin has a golden opportunity to ignite his season at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night.
The dual premiership winner is also excited about the prospect of forging a special long-term partnership with fellow star forward Kurt Tippett, who has missed the first half of Sydney’s past two seasons through injury and suspension.
“We’ve only played 10 or 12 games together since I got up here,” Franklin said.
“It’s just building that relationship together and getting that bond and that connection between each other.”
Franklin trained on Tuesday for the first time since being knocked out in the Swans’ final pre-season game against Greater Western Sydney nine days ago.
“I was just feeling a little bit down and out for three or four days. I had little bits of headaches,” he said.
“But after that I’ve come good. I’m feeling fresh and ready to go.”
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