LOCKETT’S BUDDY FIX
RIVALS in awe of Lance Franklin’s stunning feats at least held out hope he could beat himself.
For all of Franklin’s feats, a unique goalkicking routine often meant he butchered as many shots as he nailed.
As recently as four matches ago Franklin was tracking at 50 per cent conversion this year, the worst of his career.
Since then he has kicked a remarkable 21.6 from 29 shots, hauling his conversion up to 72.4 per cent.
His set-shot approach is straighter, no mean feat given he took air swings when Jason Dunstall once tried to eliminate the “Buddy Arc”.
Franklin is in career-best form and kicking like Tony Lockett.
Which shouldn’t surprise, given AFL goals record holder Lockett is part of a Franklin coaching entourage that includes Swans assistants Brett Kirk and Nick Davis.
In concert they have helped turn him around after he kicked 16.23 from Rounds 14-21, including 0.6 against Essendon.
Geelong not only needs to deal with the demons of a possible straight-sets exit, it will tackle “Buddy” in full flight.
Franklin also must conquer a different challenge — nemesis Tom Lonergan, who has often had the better of his high-profile rival.
Lonergan took down Franklin in Round 20, keeping him to eight possessions and a single mark in a game where Lonergan could finally poll Brownlow Medal votes.
Sydney has one injury on its list, has just demolished supposed contender Essendon, and has won 15 of 17 games.
If Franklin can continue to kick straight, it might just be unstoppable this year.
“Plugger’s been good,” Franklin said in recent days of the man who kicked just 590 points to go with 1360 goals.
“Not just for me but all the young forwards. Everyone on the list has enjoyed working with him.
“To have him around the club is a great thing and I have really enjoyed it.
“Since I’ve probably got up here over the last couple of years I’ve been working really hard with Brett Kirk, Nick Davis and Plugger on my goalkicking.
“This year I’ve really worked hard on it. Earlier on in the season my accuracy was pretty well down. It’s probably been the worst it has been in a long time.
“I’ve just been working hard in terms of probably straightening up a little bit with my goalkicking.”
Franklin has just six days to rehab a corked thigh but spent the final quarter on the bench under John Longmire’s strict instructions.
He played only 75 per cent of game time, with Lewis Melican (tight quad) a late omission. He is no guarantee to return. Harry Cunningham had 19 possessions.