How Buddy fared in first half of deal

LANCE Franklin is threatening to march Sydney deep into September yet again, with the superstar showing no signs of slowing down at the halfway point of his nine-year deal.

The Swans’ top-two showdown with Richmond at Etihad Stadium tonight will be Franklin’s 100th game with his second club.

Franklin played 182 matches for Hawthorn then shocked the AFL community after winning the 2013 premiership, overlooking Greater Western Sydney’s overtures to sign a nine-year contract worth about $10 million.

Andrew Demetriou, AFL chief executive at the time, dubbed it “risky”.

Others called it preposterous. The league rubber-stamped the deal as Sydney’s rivals raged behind closed doors.

The burning question then was whether Franklin would see out his contract. It remains unanswered and a topic of great intrigue, but the 31year-old and his club are upbeat.

Brisbane Lions great Alastair Lynch, who penned a 10-year contract at 25, notes there is no evidence to suggest they should not be.

“He had some health concerns early in his contract but he looks really fit now. As fit and healthy as he’s ever been,” Lynch said

“Just chatting to him, he seems as happy as he could be. Everything’s pointing in the right direction that he’ll at least get very close to the term.

“With age and that sort of stuff, things can change really quickly “But things are looking positive.” Lynch is well placed to comment. The power forward agreed to a oneyear extension after 10 seasons, retiring at 36 in 2004 with three premierships.

Franklin will be 35 when his commitment expires at the end of the 2022 season.

Swans football manager Tom Harley, who will become the club’s chief executive this year, has previously said it is conceivable Franklin could sign a contract extension.

Aside from durability, assessing his life-changing venture is tricky and subjective.

He is regarded as the best player of the modern era by many good judges. There is a consistency to his class and competitive streak. Franklin’s numbers are incredible.

The four-time Coleman medallist has earned All-Australian selection seven times, booting 891 goals to be ninth on the list of goal-kickers.