FRANKLIN SETS HIS SIGHTS ON GLORY
LANCE Franklin’s focus on Saturday’s grand final has not been shaken by the allegations levelled against former Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson and football boss Chris Fagan.
Franklin was at the Hawks from 2005-13, much of the era that the club’s report into its treatment of First Nations people investigated.
It is likely he would have trained and played alongside some of the Indigenous youngsters who have told harrowing accounts of their treatment from senior Hawthorn officials.
But Swans assistant coach Jarrad Mcveigh said the reports that surfaced before Franklin’s sixth grand final had not impacted his preparation.
“I don’t think it is a distraction for ‘Bud’,” Mcveigh said on Thursday.
“He’s fully focused on this week, he re-signed this week and I look forward to him playing well.
“The allegations are serious and concerning, and we feel for all the parties involved.
“They are allegations at this point and it’s hard for us to comment.
“The AFL has put together an investigation and we’ll see what comes of that.”
Franklin, who this week signed for an encore season in what was a joyous announcement for the football world, is plotting to secure his first premiership as a Swan.
He is set to line up on defender Sam De Koning for the first time. The 21-year-old was three when Franklin was drafted by the Hawks with the No.5 pick in 2004.
De Koning ranks No.3 in the AFL for intercept marks and Steven May’s ability to pick off entries directed at Franklin helped him earn best-afield honours in the qualifying final.