The rest of the AFL world is talking about it, but John Longmire doesn’t feel the need. The Sydney coach says Lance Franklin’s looming milestone speaks for itself.
Franklin on Saturday has the chance to become just the sixth VFL/AFL player to kick 1000 career goals.
The Swans megastar starts the twilight encounter against GWS on 995 goals but his coach Longmire won’t mention the milestone pre-game.
“It’s not something I need to address with the team,” Longmire told AAP.
“They know it. It’s not a focus of ours.
“It’s a great personal achievement, there’s no question about that, if he’s able to achieve it.
“But we talk about team football and that’s our focus.
“Those achievements, those personal milestones – if and when they come along – are wonderful and they’ll be celebrated at that time.
“But it’s not the focus.”
(Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Franklin’s feat may not be Longmire’s focus, but it’s captivating the rest of the AFL competition.
Only Tony Lockett (1360 goals), Gordon Coventry (1299), Jason Dunstall (1254), Doug Wade (1057) and Gary Ablett senior (1031) have reached the landmark in VFL/AFL history.
“It speaks for itself,” Longmire said.
“There’s only five who have ever done it, so I don’t need to blow it up any more than that.”
GWS coach Leon Cameron concedes the magnitude of his team’s challenge to postpone the inevitable.
But Cameron is also mindful of the buzz Franklin has created in the city of Sydney, which benefits the code.
“He has been super for AFL in New South Wales and clearly for the Swans as well,” Cameron told AAP.
“He puts bums on seats because people love to watch him play.
“I hope he doesn’t get too excited in Round 1 and hit his marker but we’re going to have to be at our very best to stop the Swans and him.
“But it’s another reason to have the two sides’ supporter bases, members, fans and people in general to get along and create an atmosphere.”
Franklin is a bona fide megastar of the AFL as he enters his 17th season.
He is a dual Hawthorn premiership winner, eight-time All Australian, four-time Coleman medallist and 12-time leading goal kicker at his club – six times each at the Hawks and the Swans.
But Longmire believes Franklin’s freakish talents bely an overlooked trait in the now 35-year-old.
“He appreciates the importance of just how critical it is to compete hard,” Longmire said.
“Whatever you think about Lance Franklin and his talent, the thing that stands out to me is he’s a competitor.
“He loves to get on the park and he loves to win.
“That’s an important attribute to keep understanding if you’re a young player coming through.
“It’s not just your ability to play the game. It’s the importance of being able to compete regularly and the willingness to be able to do that.”
© AAP
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