'It kills me to say that': Lance Franklin makes huge 2025 premiership tip
Lance Franklin has made his premiership prediction for the AFL season - and it's not his Hawks or Swans.
Instead, Buddy is, begrudgingly, backing Collingwood to win it all.
The in-form Magpies have won five in a row after losing in Opening Round, impressively thumping Brisbane last week.
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Collingwood has looked the team to beat so far this season Getty
Franklin says the Pies' reliance on veterans doesn't worry him across the length of the season, despite boasting what would be the oldest premiership team in history.
"I'm leaning towards the Pies for the premiership ... it kills me to say that," Franklin said on the Buddy & Shane Show.
"A few of the old boys will be rested, you'd think. Them at their best, they're probably the best (team) at the moment. They set up really well.
"Craig McRae is coaching them really well and their senior boys are doing really well."
While he believes the Pies are going to be hard to stop, Franklin sees the Giants as the team with the bests list in the competition.
Jesse Hogan has taken the competition by storm in the last 18 months Getty
GWS sit fourth on the ladder currently, following their loss to Adelaide in round six, but beat the Magpies in Opening Round.
"I look at GWS' list, I think they have the best list by a fair margin with the players they've got, early draft picks and you've got Jesse Hogan up forward," Franklin said.
"They've got a loaded team. It's good to see them going well."
Speaking on his new podcast, Franklin also revealed his advice for wayward Bulldog Jamarra Ugle-Hagan.
