LANCE Franklin never contemplated leaving Sydney and was always deciding between going on or retiring, the forward confirmed last week.<\/p>\n
A Channel Nine report in August suggested the superstar was strongly considering a move to the Brisbane Lions.<\/p>\n
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 \u201cno\u201d.<\/p>\n
However, the veteran said he was weighing up retirement.<\/p>\n
\u201c50-50, to be honest [on if he would retire],\u201d Franklin said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s unfinished business. Obviously get the chance to play in a grand final\u2026 but I feel like I\u2019ve got a little bit to give.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI just thought the time was right [to make the announcement]. There was a lot of speculation \u2018oh is he going to go on\u2019, I just wanted to make this about the boys.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was obviously a long process to come to that decision, I wasn\u2019t sure if I was going to go on, but I\u2019d come to the decision that I still had the passion and loved the game.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve enjoyed every minute of this year, we\u2019ve got such an exciting group here and to go around another year is just a no-brainer for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s been a lot of knockers over the years haven\u2019t there,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I first got here people were knocking that I wouldn\u2019t get there, I wouldn\u2019t make it, I\u2019d play for four or five years and that would be it, so I\u2019ve definitely proved them wrong haven\u2019t I?\u201d<\/p>\n
Buddy kicked two goals in the preliminary final win over Collingwood.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n