LANCE FRANKLIN still has the best part of six seasons to run on his massive contract with the Sydney Swans, but former teammate Jarryd Roughead would be surprised if the superstar didn't fulfill the deal.

Hawthorn captain Roughead, who played alongside Franklin in the Hawks' 2008 and 2013 premiership sides, is emphatic in his belief that his close mate will see out his nine-year, $10 million contract, which expires at the end of 2022 when Franklin will be just three months shy of his 36th birthday.

"Yep, definitely," Roughead told the AFL Record when asked whether Franklin would make good on his long-term commitment to the Swans.

"I can't see why he won't. He just loves footy too much. Take him away from a footy club and he'll hate it."

In an AFL Record story featuring interviews with Franklin and others close to him for his 250th game, Swans assistant coach Stuart Dew says Franklin is just as good now as he was in his fabled 2008 season when he won the Hawks' best and fairest in a premiership year after kicking 113 goals (the AFL's most recent century of goals).

"He's probably on par (with 2008)," said Dew, also a Hawthorn premiership star that season.

"Back then (Hawks coach) Alastair Clarkson had just pioneered 18-man defence. The standard of footy has improved so much, the opposition puts more work into him now, and there's not as much gap between the best and worst teams – so kicking 70-80 goals now is probably the equivalent of 100 goals 10 years ago."

For the record, Franklin says 2008 was his best season but he has become "much more consistent" as a Swan.

Among other revelations in the AFL Record:

• Franklin says it has been "an absolute highlight" to work with the AFL's goal king Tony Lockett, though he rates himself "no chance" of surpassing Lockett's record. (Lockett kicked 1360 in 281 matches at an average of 4.8; Franklin has booted 795 or 3.2 per outing).
• Franklin and Roughead reveal they have supported each other through their respective battles with mental health issues and cancer.
• Since regaining his health, Franklin has made a conscious effort to be more communicative, which has helped him become a better mentor for younger teammates.
• Franklin says football is his "happy place", and he sees a future for himself in the game after his playing days are over.

The full version of this story appears in the round three edition of the AFL Record, available at all venues.