Buddy Franklin takes shot at contract critics, confirms retirement was 50-50 call
Lance Franklin has confirmed he strongly considered retirement before re-signing with the Sydney Swans for 2023.
The 35-year-old will turn out for the Swans once again after announcing on Monday he'd signed a one-year contract extension.
Franklin moved to Sydney in 2014 on a nine-year deal, and took a swipe at those who said he wouldn't see out the original contract.
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"There's been a lot of knockers over the years, hasn't there?" Franklin 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?"
The four-time Coleman Medallist said he didn't consider switching clubs for 2023, confirming it was either the Swans or retirement, a call he said was "50-50".
Lance Franklin looks on during the 2022 AFL second qualifying final between the Melbourne Demons and the Sydney Swans. Getty
"We came to the decision that we wanted to stay in Sydney, it was obviously a long process to come to that decision," he said.
"I wasn't sure whether I was going to go on, but I've come to the decision that I've still got the passion, I love the game, I've enjoyed every minute of this year.
"We've got such an exciting group here and to go on another year is just a no-brainer for me."
Franklin said he was glad to have the deal sorted out ahead of the grand final, not wanting to become a distraction in the leadup to Saturday's match against Geelong.
"I just thought the time was right to come out, obviously we've got the grand final this week," he explained.
"There was going to be a lot of speculation, is he going to go on? I just wanted to make this about the boys, this is a huge game for us."
