Dual All-Australian Leigh Montagna has urged the Swans and Lance Franklin to get forward of the “doom and gloom” narrative and formally announce this would be the celebrity ahead’s last season, so the AFL world can correctly have fun an all-time nice.
With over 1000 targets, eight All-Australians, 4 Coleman Medals and two premierships, Franklin is a future walk-up Hall of Fame member.
But the legendary ahead has been held goalless in his previous two video games averaging lower than one-and-a-half targets per match this season. He averaged at the very least two targets per outing in his earlier 16 seasons.
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Franklin had simply 4 disposals within the Swans’ 17-point loss to Fremantle, which left the 2022 Grand Finalists sitting 14th on the ladder with a 3-6 document. It was additionally the primary time since 2013 Franklin has gone goalless in consecutive video games.
Speaking on Fox Footy’s First Crack, Montagna stated the Swans had a “Buddy conundrum”, however may repair it in the event that they “get on the front foot and spin the narrative”.
“There’s going to be a lot of noise and a lot of doom and gloom and a lot coming for Buddy and his form, his place in the team … because we can all see he’s really struggling,” Montagna informed Fox Footy’s First Crack.
“Before the narrative gets too strong and gets too negative about Bud, I would love to see the Sydney Swans and Bud as a combination come out and make an official announcement that this will be his last season and turn the narrative into a celebration. Turn it into something where all the fans can celebrate, in my opinion, one of the top five players to have ever played the game.
“I think he deserves the celebration and the time to have his farewells and for the fans to be able to recognise him.”
Montagna identified Franklin had some massive milestones developing. He’s three weeks away from enjoying his 350th sport, whereas he additionally wants simply 4 targets to overhaul Doug Wade to take a seat fourth on the all-time goalkicking checklist.
The Saints champion additionally highlighted how Franklin’s Swans had been nonetheless scheduled to play video games in Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne earlier than season’s finish, whereas their Round 24 sport can be performed in Sydney.
“Especially with the way the year is going for Sydney – it doesn’t look like they’re going to play finals – so I think they need something to just generate a bit of excitement back in that footy club. By the sounds of it, the town of Sydney needs something as well to stimulate them with their football,” Montagna stated.
“This is a real chance to do it properly, to make it a big finale … Have some video tributes, give him standing ovations, because we don’t know if we’re ever going to see a play like this ever again.
“Do it the right way because he deserves it as one of the absolute all-time greats.”
Dual premiership Kangaroo David King stated the Swans had a possibility to be taught from different golf equipment; previous errors.
“I think the hardest thing to do in our game is exit champions,” King informed First Crack.
“I think clubs have got it wrong over the years. The exit of Brent Harvey was really poor, I don’t know if we celebrated Wayne Carey enough, Jonathan Brown enough, Gary Ablett Jnr enough.
“I think Collingwood did it really well with Dane Swan … I like it (Montagna’s suggestion).”
Originally printed as ‘Do it the right way’: Swans urged to announce Buddy Franklin’s retirement early
Source: www.news.com.au
