LANCE Franklin is well on his way to justifying that extraordinary price tag, producing some unbelievable football to lead the Sydney Swans to a four-point victory over Port Adelaide at a rocking SCG.
Few figures in AFL history have faced the sort of scrutiny Franklin has endured following his nine-year, $10 million deal to move to Sydney, but his display on Saturday showed just why the deal was done.
Franklin finished with five goals, including two critical efforts that few in the competition could match – a long bomb from 65m out and another from 50m tight on the boundary line – in the Swans' 14.14 (98) to 13.16 (94) triumph.
He is also helping to make an impact at the turnstiles, with 41,317 fans flocking to the SCG, the third biggest home and away crowd at the venue.
It is the Swans' eighth straight victory and takes their record to 9-3 for the season, closing the gap at the top to the Power, who had their eight-game streak snapped to slip to 10-2.
"I think that's why you pay him a million dollars," Port coach Ken Hinkley said of Franklin afterwards.
"That's what they've done. They've got players up here that are incredibly highly skilled and talented and can do some unbelievable things.
"It's no secret that he makes you a better team and credit where credit's due, he probably singlehandedly kicked some really telling goals.
"I actually thought 'Bobby' (Alipate) Carlile played pretty well, it was just some stuff you couldn't stop. I don't think you can plan for those ones.
"When he gets on, he can stay on, and that's what he did.
"Credit to him."
Franklin had been wasteful earlier in the game, registering four behinds and an another effort rushed off the line with his first five shots, but he has the type of talent that means he can turn a game virtually singlehandedly.
The Power would have lost few admirers, however, battling back from a one-sided opening quarter to match the flag favourites step-for-step all afternoon.
In the end it was Franklin's unmatched skill set that proved the difference for a Swans side that is overcoming every obstacle that gets in its way.
Kieren Jack in his 150th game, fellow co-captain Jarrad McVeigh, Nick Malceski and Rhyce Shaw were all prominent for the home side, while Adam Goodes added three first-half goals.
Brad Ebert was outstanding for the Power, picking up 40 possessions, with Coleman Medal contender Jay Schulz (four goals), Matthew Broadbent, Ollie Wines and Robbie Gray all playing significant roles.
Kane Cornes also did a superb lock-down job on Dan Hannebery, who managed just 13 touches and picked up a late ankle injury, although he did re-enter the fray late.
Angus Monfries, who was with Essendon during its supplement regime back in 2012, managed to put aside any concerns regarding the ASADA announcements this week to kick three goals.
But the visitors fell just short in one of the games of the season.
The Swans opened up in impressive fashion, comfortably maintaining possession and moving the ball around the ground in relative ease.
The only thing they didn't do was make it count on the scoreboard, producing five straight behinds late in the term to take just a 12-point lead into the first break that should have been far greater.
Failing to capitalise on opportunities can be a costly business in the AFL and so it proved, with Monfries and White kicking two goals apiece early in the second quarter as the visitors got in front for the first time.
The game had sparked into life and the Swans were able to respond, with Goodes kicking two of his three first-half goals as the home side carried a seven-point edge into the main break.
Franklin burst into life in the third term, kicking two quick goals as the Swans opened up a 21-point edge, the game's biggest to date as they tried to put the Power away.
But the ladder leaders are made of stern stuff, with a late Chad Wingard goal making it a 15-point game heading into the final term of an absorbing contest.
Franklin's heroics gave the home side a handy buffer and while Port had one last effort, it fell just short in what could prove a Grand Final preview.
Rarely one for superlatives, Swans coach John Longmire labelled Franklin "handy" after his virtuoso display.
"He really stood up in the last quarter," Longmire said.
"The game see-sawing like that, it's handy to have him in the front half.
"To be able to hit the scoreboard like he did in the last quarter was a really good effort."
Lance Franklin kicked five goals in the second half to steer the Swans home. Picture: AFL Media
SYDNEY SWANS 2.8 6.12 11.13 14.14 (98)
PORT ADELAIDE 1.2 6.5 9.10 13.16 (94)
GOALS
Sydney Swans: Franklin 5, Goodes 3, McVeigh 2, K.Jack, Jetta, Kennedy, Hannebery
Port Adelaide: Schulz 4, Monfries 3, White 2, Wingard 2, Ebert, Westhoff
BEST
Sydney Swans: Franklin, K.Jack, McVeigh, Malceski, Shaw, Grundy
Port Adelaide: Ebert, Broadbent, White, Schulz, Gray, Cornes
INJURIES
Sydney Swans: Pyke (tactical) replaced in selected side by Gary Rohan, Hannebery (ankle)
Port Adelaide: Hartlett (ankle)
SUBSTITUTES
Sydney Swans: Gary Rohan replaced Brandon Jack in the fourth quarter
Port Adelaide: Aaron Young replaced Hamish Hartlett in the third quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Meredith, Ryan, Jeffery
Official crowd: 41,317 at the SCG
