CONSIDERING the tabloid photographs, the gossip column appearances and the off-season antics, it can sometimes be easy to forget the football side of Lance Franklin.
But in a wide-ranging interview with AFL.com.au, Franklin has revealed the amount of study and work he has to put in to maintain his status as one of the game's true superstar forwards.
Tony Lockett, Australian football's all-time leading goalkicker, was renowned for his lack of interest in his opponents. He would simply turn up to the ground, kick a bag of goals, and go home.
"He was the king," Franklin said of Lockett. "He kicked over 1300 goals. He could do whatever he wanted."
But it's a very different story for Franklin, who is settling into his new home with the Sydney Swans following nine seasons, 580 goals and two premierships at Hawthorn.
Asked initially if he enjoys watching the modern game, Franklin quickly steers the conversation to his bread and butter - the research he puts in so he can compete at the highest level.
"I obviously love the game of football," he says. "I've grown up with it since I was five years old and it's something I always dreamed of playing.
"Once I was able to get out there and play football, it was unbelievable.
"In terms of watching it, I watch a fair bit of it, but I don't overdo it.
"But I always watch the games we play in, the team we're coming up against, preview the players I'm going to be playing on and then review them afterwards, because in finals you'll end up playing against that exact player.
"I do a lot of research on that side of the game."
Pushed further on the work he puts in, Franklin says: "That's a big factor in being successful as a player and as a team.
"You have to do your homework on certain individuals and certain teams on the way they play.
"Different teams play different game styles and you've got to be prepared to change up your game style or the way you play."
Despite all his years in the spotlight and the number of interviews he must have conducted, Franklin doesn't always appear comfortable answering questions, and at times can be a little guarded.
Considering his every move or spoken word can end up as tabloid fodder, that is no great surprise, but he is more comfortable on the subject of football.
The former Hawk said he was keen to become part of the Swans' famous culture and also revealed his growing friendship with Kurt Tippett and his desire to win another flag for Adam Goodes.
He also divulged his toughest opponents, which contained the odd surprise.
The fans weren't slow in giving Lance Franklin a warm welcome to Sydney. Picture: AFL Media
"From the outside playing at another football club, I looked at the Swannies and thought of a team that never gives in," Franklin said.
"They always play to the final siren and that was one thing I really admired and wanted to be part of.
"Fortunately enough I was able to work out a deal with my management and the Swans and get myself here.
"There's no looking back now. I'm just looking forward to hopefully playing some consistent footy and getting myself back to playing the best I can possibly play."
Franklin is currently being nursed through his first pre-season with the Swans due to a tight quad. He has been training, but has sat out all of the intra-club games to date.
It is yet to be determined if he will take part in the club’s opening NAB Challenge match against Greater Western Sydney on February 20.
Once he does take to the park in battle, there is plenty of interest in how his new club will use him, following his movement further up the ground over his final years with the Hawks.
Franklin believes people read too much into his role last season, which ended with him not being the Hawks' leading goalkicker for the first time in seven years.
His new coach John Longmire says the availability of players such as Goodes will have an impact on exactly where Franklin lines up.
He is already developing a strong rapport on and off the field with Tippett, which must surely be sending shivers through the rest of the competition.
"Having 'Tippo' in the team is something that will help me and will help the others around him," Franklin said.
"He's not only a great player, he's a great leader and a great bloke too.
"It's always good having a guy you can have a good relationship with off the field and then it can transform onto the field and away you go.
"It starts to flow and you know you can trust the bloke next to you and he'll help you out when it's needed.
"We spend a lot of time together. Before training we have brekkie and just hang out and do normal blokey stuff."
Franklin, who turned 27 on January 30, says he will have mixed emotions when he faces the Hawks for the first time, in round eight at ANZ Stadium.
He will, at least, have some inside knowledge on Hawthorn full-back Brian Lake, who he trained alongside last year and who he puts right at the top when mentioning his all-time most difficult match-ups.
"Brian Lake was one of the toughest opponents I had. We had some great battles over the years," he said.
"I'm looking forward to the challenge of hopefully playing on him this year.
"But there's been heaps over the years – Chris Tarrant, Max Hudghton – they're all great defenders. Luke McPharlin too."
Now rivals again, Lance Franklin names Brian Lake as his toughest opponent. Picture: AFL Media
Overall it is a fascinating chat with Franklin, but he seems to save his strongest emotion and deepest feelings when he mentions one man – Adam Goodes.
Franklin looked up to Goodes as a youngster learning the game and is now driven to help the two-time Brownlow medallist as they both chase a third flag.
"I've known Goodesy for a number of years through the indigenous camps and he's someone that I've always admired," Franklin concluded.
"For him to get Australian of the Year is a massive achievement, not only for him but for our people and Australia.
"He's a great role model for all indigenous people coming through and any Australian.
"The things he does around the football club are amazing, he's such a skilful player and he's done everything.
"Hopefully he can keep playing and hopefully this year we can go all the way for him."
LANCE FRANKLIN Q&A
Do you watch a lot of football?
"I obviously love the game of football. I've grown up with it since I was five years old and it's something I always dreamed of playing. Once I was able to get out there and play football, it was unbelievable. In terms of watching it, I watch a fair bit of it, but I don't overdo it. But I always watch the games we play in, the teams we're coming up against, preview the players I'm going to be playing on and then review them afterwards - because in finals you'll end up playing against that exact player. I do a lot of research on that side of the game.Would you watch a game in your spare time?
"If there's a good game of football on, I like to watch it. But I take note of the other forwards that are playing, other good defenders, and there's nothing better than watching Gary Ablett and Chris Judd play."
Growing up who were the players you liked to watch?
"The Duck (Wayne Carey) was one of my favourites, Nick Riewoldt too. And I loved Juddy. Juddy was always one of my favourites to watch."
What do you think of the spectacle at the moment?
"I think the AFL in general is in a great spot at the moment. I think 18 teams in the League is something the AFL should be very proud of and us players should be proud of too. We're heading in the right direction, the expansion teams have been massive for the AFL, and the more games they can win and more members all teams can get and bigger crowds, the better it will be for the game."
Do rule changes affect you?
"The game doesn't really change too much I don't think. It's umpired by the umpires and at the end of the day it's up to them to make the decision. They run through the rules from the start of the pre-season so you can practice if any rules have changed."
How did you find your role evolved with Alastair Clarkson in recent years?
"I wouldn't say it evolved too much. I think sometimes you can read a little bit too much into it. As a team there were things that had to change at Hawthorn in terms of us trying to win a Grand Final. There were different changes around the football club in terms of where blokes would play and we were able to win it last year. But I'm at a new club now and they're the enemy now. It's going to be interesting playing them."
So was all the talk last year of you playing further up the ground overplayed?
"It wasn't overplayed. I think in certain games, to open up space for other players, that was a role on the day. It wouldn't change here or at any club. Anyone's role on any certain day could change. Last year Roughie (Jarryd Roughead) ended up kicking the goals, I ended up kicking a few and so did (Jack) Gunston in the finals. In terms of that, everyone shared the goals, but I don't think it was a massive change at all, other players just stepped up."
Will it be difficult playing against the Hawks?
"There will be mixed emotions. Obviously being at Hawthorn for nine years, it's a long time to spend at a footy club and I built some strong relationships there and met some really great people. They've made me the person I am today, Hawthorn. It's going to be tough, but something I'm going to be looking forward to. It'll be good to play against the likes of Gibbo (Josh Gibson) and Lakey (Brian Lake) and then I'll try to get up the other end to give Roughie a bit of a bump too. It'll be good fun."
With the cricket being on and the redevelopment, have you had a chance to train much on the SCG?
"No I haven't, but I think they've made the dimensions about 10 metres longer, which is good. We've been training next to it, but I've been out there a few times and the new stand looks amazing. I remember playing up at the SCG a couple of years back and the crowd then was unbelievable. Now with this new stand, it's going to be even better."
Did you enjoy playing on the ground during your Hawthorn days?
"Yeah I actually really enjoyed playing at the SCG. When I was at the Hawks I loved coming up here and playing."
So who have been some of your toughest opponents to play on?
"Brian Lake was one of the toughest opponents I had. We had some great battles over the years. I'm looking forward to the challenge of hopefully playing on him this year. But there's been heaps over the years – Chris Tarrant, Max Hudghton – they're all great defenders. Luke McPharlin too."
Who have you become close with at the Swans?
"It's interesting, I’m mates with most of the guys here at the Swannies. They're a tight-knit footy club and everyone gets along. There's no real groups, everyone is combined together and there's a really strong mateship, which is fantastic. It's called the Bloods culture for a reason and it's great."
You're now part of that culture, but what do other teams think of it from the outside?
"From the outside playing at another football club, I looked at the Swannies and thought of a team that never gives in. They always play to the final siren and that was one thing that I actually really admired and wanted to be part of and fortunately enough I was able to work out a deal with my management and the Swans and get myself here. There's no doubt there's so much talent at this football club and there's so many kids coming through. Dane Rampe was in his first year last year and ended up playing 23 games, which is outstanding. There's a lot of depth here and a lot of experience too."
So you're carrying a bit of a tight quad?
"I've just had a bit of general soreness over the last couple of weeks, but I'll be fine. I'm getting out there and training and being amongst the boys, it's just general soreness at the moment and I'll be fine."
Starting off at Giants Stadium in round one, do you know much about that young rivalry?
"Yeah I do. I know (GWS coach) Leon Cameron very well, he coached me for a number of years at Hawthorn, and it's going to be cross-town rivals. It's going to be an interesting game and I'm looking forward to it. They're a quality young team and they've got some experienced players too now, so we won't be taking them lightly, we'll be going there with a good team and having a good crack at it. You put all that work into pre-season to bring it out in games and as long as we can keep playing our role and doing what the coaches say, I think we'll be in good stead."
