By Jon Pierik
Lance Franklin was never far from the action on the field. Here are 10 moments that reinforced his greatness ...
R10, 2012 v North Melbourne: 13 goals
This was Franklin at his absolute best, the dynamic Hawk wreaking havoc under lights in Launceston in a display for the ages. He booted one goal in the first term, and six by half-time, finishing with a venue record of 13.4, coming after his wayward kicking in previous weeks had been a source of frustration.
“Sometimes you have got to just sit back and enjoy the show,” commentator Anthony Hudson exclaimed when Franklin slotted through his 12th, from the left forward pocket.
Lance Franklin announced himself as a big-game player with seven goals in the elimination final against Adelaide in 2007.Credit: Pat Scala
Elimination final, 2007 v Adelaide: Seven goals
This was the moment when the 20-year-old from Western Australia announced himself as a champion in the making, kicking seven goals in his finals debut, including the match-winning goal from beyond 50 metres with seven seconds remaining in the match.
Franklin had many a big game against the Bombers through his distinguished career.Credit: Getty Images
R13, 2010 v Essendon: Five goals
Franklin tormented Essendon throughout his entire career, and there is one moment which embodies the hold he had on the Bombers. That came under the Friday night lights, when he capped his 26 disposals and 10 marks with a stunning goal on the run, burning off Cale Hooker who could not keep up. Franklin took three bounces along the MCG wing, before slotting a gem from a tight angle in the left forward pocket. “When it went through, I think I was standing next to an Essendon player, and he just shook his head exactly the same way I did,” Hawks star Sam Mitchell said later.
R22, 2008 v Carlton: Four goals
This may not have been a bag of goals, but his four at the then Telstra Dome meant he reached triple figures to capture his maiden Coleman Medal. Hawks’ fans invaded the field when he kicked his 100th, highlighting his box-office appeal.
R23, 2017 v Carlton: 10 goals
Franklin’s bag against the Blues ensured he pocketed his fourth – and final – Coleman Medal, holding off West Coast Eagle Josh Kennedy in a stunning finish. Franklin trailed Kennedy by five goals heading into the final round, but remarkably had a five-goal lead after his tale of destruction. Kennedy, playing the next day, managed only one goal, giving Franklin his second Coleman Medal as a Swan.
R6, 2007 v Essendon: Nine goals
Another fine example of Franklin’s habit of putting the Bombers. At his athletic best, Franklin, in his third season, booted five goals in the second term, finishing with the best haul to this point of his career.
2008 qualifying final v Western Bulldogs: Eight goals
Franklin loved the big stage, as he showed against the Bulldogs when he led the Hawks to a 51-point win at the MCG. “I went out for a coffee with him that morning and Dale Morris had done the big back-page spread saying ‘I’m not scared of the great Lance Franklin’,” Franklin’s former teammate Campbell Brown told the AFL website in 2016. “He (Franklin) read it, and he was disgusted with the article. He turned to me and said: ‘I’ll drop eight on him today’ and I thought: ‘Oh yeah, who thinks they’ll go into a qualifying final and kick eight goals?’. Sure enough, he did.”
R21, 2014 v St Kilda: Nine goals
In his 200th game, Franklin had a day to remember, booting 9.4 in an 11-goal win over the Saints. This included 13 marks inside 50 metres, a career-high, on a day out at the SCG. It was his best haul since his career-best 13 against North Melbourne.
R1, 2018 v West Coast: Eight goals
This was a day the Eagles were supposed to celebrate the opening of Optus Stadium, but Franklin became the party pooper, booting 8.1 from 21 disposals and nine marks, guiding the Swans to a five-goal win.
Lance Franklin nails his 1000th goal.Credit: Getty Images
R2, 2022 v Geelong: Four goals
Franklin became just the sixth VFL/AFL player to reach the 1000-goal milestone when he booted his fourth against the Cats. As was the case at the Telstra Dome all those years ago, spectators burst onto the SCG turf when he reached the milestone in the final quarter. Play was temporarily halted as Franklin eventually made his way through the mob to the dressingroom. He joined Tony Lockett (1360 goals), Gordon Coventry (1299), Jason Dunstall (1254), Doug Wade (1057) and Gary Ablett senior (1031) in the exclusive club. “It was nice to get it done, it’s been playing on my mind a little bit,” Franklin said at the time.
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