IT SEEMS Lance Franklin is keen to make a good impression on his new young teammates, surprising the Sydney Swans' one- to four-year players by turning up at training on Wednesday.

 

Franklin isn't due back at his new home until December 2, when the rest of the Swans' veterans will begin their pre-season training.

 

But he turned up at Centennial Park on Wednesday morning to take part in some running and drills and also start getting to know some of his teammates.

 

The superstar forward was spotted enjoying himself during the recent Melbourne Cup carnival, with Swans veteran Adam Goodes later commenting he was curious to see what shape Franklin would be in when he began preparing for his first season in Sydney.

 

But it seems the 26-year-old, who signed a nine-year, $10 million contract with the Swans last month, is in good shape.

 

The Swans' coaching staff was aware Franklin was turning up on Wednesday, but not his teammates.

 

"It was surprising," Swans forward Lewis Jetta told AFL.com.au. "I didn't know if he was back today or next week or the week after.

 

"It was good to see him out there. He's getting a taste of the Sydney weather straight up.

 

"He looked fit. I don't know about the moustache he's got going, but he looks in shape."

 

Jetta admitted he is still getting used to seeing Franklin in red and white, after his nine years donning Hawthorn's brown and gold.

 

But it is not the first time the Swans have welcomed a well known key forward from an opposition club.

 

"It still looks a little bit funny," Jetta said.

 

"That's how 'Tippo' (Kurt Tippett) was last year as well when he came here, it looked a bit funny.

 

"But we'll get used to it and we're happy he's here."

When Franklin returns to full-time pre-season training, his main task will be fitting into a Swans forward line expected to feature him, Tippett, Goodes and Sam Reid in 2014.

 

Jetta can also use his pace and push forward to kick goals and is confident he can recapture the form that led to a 45-goal season in 2012.

 

The 24-year-old Jetta only managed 10 goals in 13 games last season in a year blighted by bruising in his shinbone that kept him out of 12 games between rounds 11-23.

 

Jetta, who played with Franklin in the recent International Rules Series against Ireland, also knows if he gets into trouble he has some handy options in the forward line.

 

"As you've seen in previous years, Buddy gets up high up the ground and we know we've got more targets up forward," he said.

 

"I think him and Reidy will be pushing up high and turning the opposition around and we've still got Tippo and Goodesy down forward.

 

"It's just another big target. If I get into trouble I'm just going to kick it up high, because we've got a seven-foot forward line."

 

Twitter: @AFL_JD