LANCE Franklin has contradicted his manager by denying that a desire to escape Melbourne’s footy fishbowl was a key reason for his move from Hawthorn to the Sydney Swans.
On October 3, the star forward's manager, Liam Pickering, told AFL.com.au's Gillette Trade Radio that Franklin was annoyed by the scrutiny he copped after losing his licence for speeding and later being involved in a car accident.
"He started to get a bit over Melbourne when he had the media propped outside his house for a week or two," Pickering said.
"At that stage it got a bit on top of him."
But when Franklin was officially unveiled as a Swan at the SCG on Wednesday morning he denied the intense focus from the Melbourne media was a reason for his move north.
Buddy wins friends and fans in the harbour city
"Escaping the fishbowl? In terms of that, it had no impact on my decision to come to Sydney at all,” Franklin said.
"I've obviously got friends, I've got family up here.
"Sydney are a great football club and I just wanted a different opportunity and a new start.
"Sydney were able to come to the table and I was lucky enough to come to such a great football club."
As he did in a recent letter to the Hawks' members, Franklin, who has signed a nine-year contract with the Swans, tried to make peace with the people he is leaving behind.
"Leaving Hawthorn was one of the hardest things I've had to do, because they've been a massive part of my career and a club I'll never forget," he said.
"It was a tough decision, one that only I know how it felt.
"To leave Hawthorn Football Club winning a premiership definitely did help.
"But I love the Hawthorn Football Club to death still."
Franklin was asked what the thousands of young Hawks fans who have No. 23 on their backs should do now.
"Whoever puts on that No. 23 for Hawthorn next year will wear it with pride. It's a massive number at that football club,” he said.
"There have been some great players who have worn that jumper.
"So for all the young kids who put on that jumper, just keep wearing it. I'm sure someone who plays in it next year will fill the void."
There is also the question of whether Buddy will wear No. 23 for the Swans.
The number is currently held by West Australian defender Jordan Lockyer, who is yet to play a senior game.
"The guy's on holiday at the moment, I think," Franklin said with a chuckle.
"We'll just have to wait for the young fella to get back and then I think he's going to move on to No. 58 or something like that."
Added Swans coach John Longmire: "It would be fair to say we've had a bit on other than worrying about the numbers at the moment."
