LANCE Franklin has found his voice at the Sydney Swans and was an active participant in the frank meetings that helped the club to what could be a season-defining win over Fremantle.
The Swans conducted some intense in-house discussions following their poor loss to North Melbourne in round four.
It had the desired effect, with the Swans getting back to the physical style of football that has been the backbone of their successful era as they marched to a morale-boosting victory over the Dockers.
While Franklin has been painted by some as an aloof character who isn't buying into the Swans' ways, young defender Dane Rampe says that is far from the truth.
"In terms of the footy chat, Buddy's been really good," Rampe said before training on Tuesday.
"We've had meetings the last few weeks and what you guys don't find out is he's been one of the voices speaking up, talking about his experience at a great club at the Hawks.
"That’s made a big difference to the group.
"He does do a lot of things that wouldn't get spoken about.
"I don't want to go into it too much, but he's been a really big help, especially for some of the younger kids that are obviously looking up to him.
"In terms of structures, just helping us out with what other clubs used to do to us, all that sort of stuff, he's been really, really helpful.
"The boys ask and he's happy to put forward his opinion and not hold back at all."
Barely 18 months ago, Rampe was toiling away in the local Sydney competition and had virtually given up on his AFL dream.
Thrown a lifeline by the Swans via the rookie draft, Rampe became one of the unexpected success stories of 2013, playing 23 of a possible 25 matches in a stunning first year at senior level.
He remembers his first run-in with Franklin, when he became an unfortunate participant in a Buddy highlight reel in last year's Grand Final rematch.
"The first time at the MCG last year when I came across him, he put a face palm right in my face and kicked an outstanding goal," Rampe said.
Asked if Franklin said anything, Rampe replied: "No. He probably didn't know who I was."
Fast forward 12 months and Rampe is coming off his best game for the Swans, a key member of a backline that set the tone for the day with its aggression and desperation.
Along with 22 disposals and four marks, the 23-year-old's performance included a game-high eight one-percenters.
While he is now a mainstay in the Swans' back six, it was a very different story when he was batting away with Williamstown in the VFL, and Rampe often plays like a man still fighting for his AFL life.
This week he will head to the MCG to face Melbourne and the Demons' coach, former Swans premiership-winning mentor Paul Roos.
Rampe was playing alongside Roos' son at the UNSW Bulldogs when the coach came over for a quick chat.
"Paul took me aside after a game one day and asked if I'd like to come play for the Swans' reserves, so that's pretty much where it started," Rampe said.
"I probably thought I was past it, but luckily the wise eye of 'Roosy' was on me and he invited me down and it just went from there."
It has been some journey for Rampe, who still pinches himself at the fact he is living at home and representing the club he supported as a boy.
"I wasn't really enjoying my time in Melbourne, because I didn't have a support network around me," he said.
"I'm a Sydney boy through and through and coming back was just a big weight off my shoulders.
"That was probably the best lesson I learned, just to enjoy it.
"That's what I'm doing now and that's why I'm hopefully putting together some pretty good footy."
