Buddy the big worry

AS usual, Buddy.

And, as usual, the job will go to Tom Lonergan.

How fitting if tonight is Lonergan’s final match that it will be against Franklin, the one constant in the epic battles between Geelong and firstly Hawthorn and then Sydney over the past decade.

In the simplest assessment, it’s about one player stopping another.

And Lonergan arguably is the one defender who has had Franklin’s measure throughout their careers.

From 2010 to 2017, Lonergan has played on Franklin 12 times and conceded just 22 goals.

In 38 one- on- one contests in that period, Franklin has won 10, Lonergan 10 and 18 have been neutralised.

Against a player of immense talent, that is a tick for Lonergan.

Other defenders, including Gold Coast’s Steven May, can be a Buddy stopper.

In their five match- ups, May has conceded just nine goals, according to Champion Data.

In contrast, Port Adelaide’s Alipate Carlisle gave up 20 goals in five games.

Fremantle fullback Luke McPhar- it will be Operation Stop lin was another who was able to keep Franklin human.

In their six match- ups, Franklin kicked just 13 goals and in their one final opposed to each other – the 2010 elimination final won by Fremantle by 30 points – it was just the two goals from 13 disposals.

In the 2013 Grand Final, which the Hawks won by 15 points, McPharlin and Michael Johnson shared Franklin, whose only goal was kicked on McPharlin after receiving a 50- metre penalty.

“I love watching Buddy, he’s a fascinating footballer,” McPharlin said this week.

Franklin is still the most devastating key forward in the game and Lonergan has maintained the best record of any defender to play on Franklin.

Tonight will be match- up No. 13.