Well, is he?
It’s a tough query to reply, particularly contemplating midfielders have dominated the present recreation. I can say he’s been my favorite player to look at.
Gary Ablett Jr, Chris Judd, Dustin Martin and numerous different midfielders have positively been game-changing in their very own proper. However, there’s no different player I’d slightly see in full flight than Lance Franklin.
The 2007 elimination last was when Franklin totally introduced himself to the AFL world. In his first last, having already kicked six objectives, he took a mark in the dying seconds, pressed up in opposition to the boundary from simply inside 50. He went again and slotted it.
You may inform he had the self-confidence and that conceitedness; he was good and he knew it.
2008 arrives and he set the competitors on fireplace. The 102 objectives in a home-and-away season was outstanding. Crazy to assume how the recreation’s modified – after Round 11 in 2008, Franklin had 59 objectives, which might have received the Coleman Medal final season.
However, I at all times felt it was extra than simply stats watching Buddy. He would rating the most unbelievable objectives and look so nonchalant doing it. In the 2008 qualifying last, he kicked eight objectives. Some of the objectives had been excellent. Hawthorn ended up successful the 2008 premiership in opposition to one of the best groups ever.
Franklin continued to outdo himself in producing memorable highlights. The two working objectives in opposition to Essendon at a sodden MCG is testomony to that. He kicked the first one, the place he bounced it by. You thought that was fairly good however a short while later he did one higher.
Gathering the ball at the interchange benches he ran away from a tiring Cale Hooker. He took three bounces, truly ran nearer to the boundary line and slotted it by on the full this time.
Frankin hasn’t at all times been in a position to have success on the largest stage of grand last day. He’s performed in 5 grand finals, three for Hawthorn and two for Sydney.
(Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Out of these 5, he’s solely been victorious in two of them. The 2012 grand last, the place he performed for Hawthorn in opposition to Sydney, was his best particular person efficiency. He had 23 disposals and eight photographs at purpose – it was inaccuracy that allow him and his facet down. Three objectives, 4 behinds and one out on the full. He received the premiership with Hawthorn the following yr in a extra team-oriented position.
The following yr, he made the transfer interstate to Sydney. He hit the floor working, successful the Coleman Medal with 67 objectives.
The first recreation that I vividly keep in mind him enjoying for Sydney was in opposition to a resurgent Port Adelaide at the SCG. It encapsulated Franklin’s profession in a single recreation. He began off slowly, kicking 4 behinds, earlier than he registered his first purpose deep into the third quarter. He then rapidly acquired one other, extending the Swans’ result in 21 factors.
However, Port Adelaide had grown a popularity for being quick finishers.
The recreation was in the stability. Franklin stood up once more, kicking three last-quarter objectives, all from exterior 50. That recreation was seven years in the past.
Fast ahead to the present day, and he’s nonetheless doing it. Getting followers off their seats to have a good time the distinctive skills this man possesses.
He missed the whole 2020 season. He bounced again in 2021, kicking 51 objectives.
The motive I ask the query? Perhaps it’s as a result of he in all probability has the best particular person highlights bundle of any player.
The truth is, he’s closing in on the 1000-goal milestone, which solely 5 gamers have ever carried out and no person will do once more.
