Sydney coach John Longmire has cautioned against expecting Lance Franklin to return to his dominant best, as the champion spearhead prepares to up the ante for what is shaping as his final season.
After proving the cynics wrong by not only seeing out his nine-year contract but earning an extension, Franklin enters 2023 this time with doubts over his effectiveness as a 36-year-old key forward.
A haul of 52 goals from 23 games, after 51 from 18 the previous season, suggests there is still fuel left in the tank for Franklin but an underwhelming finals series, where he kicked just two goals and was held goalless in two finals, raised concerns if he still has the running power to beat the game’s better defenders.
Lance Franklin.Credit:Getty Images
Though Longmire says Franklin can still contribute to team success he is tempering expectations on the output of the oldest player in the league. He is also confident the Swans can be a force without big bags from the goalkicking great.
“We managed him during the year and were able to win games against Melbourne and Collingwood without huge contributions from Lance – and that’s the way it should be,” Longmire said.
“I would have thought that’s a good sign for our footy club. The reliance on Lance shouldn’t be there for him to have a star performance every year, particularly at 35, 36 to be the dominating player on the ground. I think clearly that’s an unrealistic expectation.”
A key to Geelong’s flag was their preparedness to give breaks to senior players so they would be in peak condition come the finals, and though Longmire did not believe Franklin played too much in the home and away season the coach said the Swans were not in a position to rest him more – but that could change this year.
“The reliance on Lance shouldn’t be there for him to have a star performance every year, particularly at 35, 36 to be the dominating player on the ground. I think clearly that’s an unrealistic expectation.”
John Longmire
Despite a seven-win run to end the home and away season, the Swans needed to win in round 23 to book a top-four berth.
“You’re trying to get in the best position as you can and understanding that through that period we also had some younger players coming through that we also had to manage, and they’ll be more resilient 12 months on,” Longmire said.
“And hopefully that takes some pressure off Lance and we can maybe make some decisions during the year, like we did at training and different times this year to ease it off.”
Franklin battled a tight calf over Christmas but has been building his workload since the resumption of training in the new year. He and Sam Reid, who has also had a similar issue, are expected to join the main group next week. Longmire said this was not a cause for concern for Franklin and Reid.
“It’s pretty standard practice,” Longmire said. “It’s not about flogging through January.”
Regardless of Franklin’s impact on the scoreboard, Longmire said his presence will aid the development of star youngster Logan McDonald, who was unlucky to be dropped for the grand final. The Swans brought in Hayden McLean to cover for Sam Reid, who could not play as a second ruck due to injury.
The Swans are keen for McDonald, preparing for his third season, not to be exposed to the opposition’s premier backman so early in his career.
Season 2023 is likely to be Lance Franklin’s last in the AFL.Credit:Jessica Hroma / Sydney Morning Herald
“Part of the transition of having Lance for another year is to ease that pressure on Logan,” Longmire said.
“If Lance is not there or Sam Reid’s not there then the best defenders go to Logan and there’s a flow-on effect to that.
“If you’re planning on some of those defenders, who are big physical beasts, you need a couple of players around him to support him, and we think that’s an important thing to have as he naturally grows and becomes, as we expect him to, a really good solid player for us.”
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