Resigned Franklin denies Brisbane links

LANCE Franklin never contemplated leaving Sydney and was always deciding between going on or retiring, the forward confirmed last week.

A Channel Nine report in August suggested the superstar was strongly considering a move to the Brisbane Lions.

Franklin has officially signed on with the Swans for 2023 ahead of the grand final. When asked if he considered moving to a third club, he simply said “no”.

However, the veteran said he was weighing up retirement.

“50-50, to be honest [on if he would retire],” Franklin said.

“As the year went on and I spoke to the people that I care about, the decision was pretty clear that I need to go on.

“There’s unfinished business. Obviously get the chance to play in a grand final… but I feel like I’ve got a little bit to give.”

“I just thought the time was right [to make the announcement]. There was a lot of speculation ‘oh is he going to go on’, I just wanted to make this about the boys.

“It was obviously a long process to come to that decision, I wasn’t sure if I was going to go on, but I’d come to the decision that I still had the passion and loved the game.

“I’ve enjoyed every minute of this year, we’ve got such an exciting group here and to go around another year is just a no-brainer for me.”

Franklin also had a message for those that doubted whether he would make it through the entirety of the nine-year deal he signed when moving from Hawthorn to Sydney.

“There’s been a lot of knockers over the years haven’t there,” he said.

“When I first got here people were knocking that I wouldn’t get there, I wouldn’t make it, I’d play for four or five years and that would be it, so I’ve definitely proved them wrong haven’t I?”

Buddy kicked two goals in the preliminary final win over Collingwood.

– BY NEC NEGREPONTIS/ SEN