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Buddy Franklin could well become the greatest forward to play the game by the time his career is over. He has a credible claim to becoming better than both Gary Ablett Snr and Carey who are widely considered the best forwards in the modern age.
Currently, Franklin has 724 career goals in 226 games at an average of 3.2 goals per game, a statistic not all that impressive in a historical sense, yet dwarfs any other forward currently playing who's been in the system for a sustained period. His goal average in this era compared to his peers is significantly Higher than both Carey and Ablett (Dunstall, Lockett, Lloyd all shared similar goal averages).
If Franklin were to see out his contract, which is the most likely scenario barring horrific injury or unforeseen problems, he would end his career with a record something like;
Worst case scenario (constant injuries, dropped, out of form playing 15 or less games per year) he would still get to his 300th and have kicked 900-1000 goals.
Best case- his form doesn't dip, swans make some finals and despite his age and decreasing disposal count he stays deep and his goal count remains he could reach 360-380 games with 1100-1250 goals.
I'd reason he'd finish up somewhere in the middle at 340ish games with 1050-1100 goals to his name.
A constant that Geelong and North fans may be keen to remind us is Franklins poor contested marking compared to the other 2, and fair enough he doesn't hold a candle. But I don't believe that matters at the end of the day considering I believe he is as much a game breaker as the other two. Does it matter if it was a 1 handed grab from Carey or a buddy sprint and curved kick on the left boundary that changes the game? Every poster reading this has watched their side's fate be at the mercy of Buddy's ability at some point.
Obviously I'm a huge fan of Buddy, and I'm keen to read how do you think he will be remembered when his time is up? Could the great 2 become 3?
EDIT: in current AFL system Buddy is 24% better than nearest opponent in goal average;
Franklin 3.2
Cameron 2.5
J.Riewoldt 2.4
J.Kennedy 2.2
Roughead/N.Riewoldt 2.2
Pavlich 1.9
Not since Hudson in the early 70's has the differential between goal scorers averages been so great.
For example:
00/90
Modra 3.5
Lloyd 3.4
Richardson 2.8
Carey 2.6
80s/90s
Lockett 4.8
Dunstall 4.6
Ablett 4.15
Currently, Franklin has 724 career goals in 226 games at an average of 3.2 goals per game, a statistic not all that impressive in a historical sense, yet dwarfs any other forward currently playing who's been in the system for a sustained period. His goal average in this era compared to his peers is significantly Higher than both Carey and Ablett (Dunstall, Lockett, Lloyd all shared similar goal averages).
If Franklin were to see out his contract, which is the most likely scenario barring horrific injury or unforeseen problems, he would end his career with a record something like;
Worst case scenario (constant injuries, dropped, out of form playing 15 or less games per year) he would still get to his 300th and have kicked 900-1000 goals.
Best case- his form doesn't dip, swans make some finals and despite his age and decreasing disposal count he stays deep and his goal count remains he could reach 360-380 games with 1100-1250 goals.
I'd reason he'd finish up somewhere in the middle at 340ish games with 1050-1100 goals to his name.
A constant that Geelong and North fans may be keen to remind us is Franklins poor contested marking compared to the other 2, and fair enough he doesn't hold a candle. But I don't believe that matters at the end of the day considering I believe he is as much a game breaker as the other two. Does it matter if it was a 1 handed grab from Carey or a buddy sprint and curved kick on the left boundary that changes the game? Every poster reading this has watched their side's fate be at the mercy of Buddy's ability at some point.
Obviously I'm a huge fan of Buddy, and I'm keen to read how do you think he will be remembered when his time is up? Could the great 2 become 3?
EDIT: in current AFL system Buddy is 24% better than nearest opponent in goal average;
Franklin 3.2
Cameron 2.5
J.Riewoldt 2.4
J.Kennedy 2.2
Roughead/N.Riewoldt 2.2
Pavlich 1.9
Not since Hudson in the early 70's has the differential between goal scorers averages been so great.
For example:
00/90
Modra 3.5
Lloyd 3.4
Richardson 2.8
Carey 2.6
80s/90s
Lockett 4.8
Dunstall 4.6
Ablett 4.15
Last edited:
