Franklin, who was unveiled as a Swans player in front of the media at the club on Wednesday morning, said he had fond memories of playing at the SCG and described the Swans’ home crowd as one of the best he’s played in front of.
“Obviously last year we played here in round 22 against the Swannies and that experience was something that I’ll never forget,” Franklin told SwansTV on Wednesday.
“The crowd that night was amazing and was one of the best crowds I’ve played in front of and the atmosphere was amazing that night.
“Hopefully next year the crowd will be just as good with the new stand going up.”
The dual Coleman medallist arrived in Sydney over the weekend and faced an anxious wait before receiving the all-clear that he would be a Swan in 2014 late Tuesday evening.
Franklin said he couldn’t wait to be a part of a club he’d always admired.
“I just love the ‘Bloods culture’, as it’s known,” Franklin said.
“They’re just a great club, they never give in, they never say die.
“At the end of the day, it came back to me speaking to my manager and Sydney and I couldn’t resist coming here.
“I just thought it was a great footy club and was something I wanted to be part of.”
Franklin, who enjoyed nine successful years including two premierships with the Hawthorn Football Club, said he was looking forward to achieving even more success at his new club.
“I’m really excited to get out there and to play for the Swans,” Franklin said.
“Obviously spending a lot of time with one club with Hawthorn for nine years means it’s going to be sad to leave them, but also just starting another chapter in my life for such a great club in Sydney is something I’m looking forward to.
“I’m looking forward to getting to know all the boys at the football club and then trying to win as many premierships as we can.”
The four-time All-Australian forward added that he was keen to reunite with his former Hawks team mates, Josh Kennedy and Ben McGlynn next season, as well as work alongside the Swans’ key forwards.
“I’m looking forward to playing with Joshy Kennedy again and ‘Hoopy’ McGlynn, who I’ve played a lot of football with at Hawthorn,” he said.
“Getting back to playing with those boys again will be something I’m looking forward to and working with Kurt Tippett too up in the forward line and Sam Reid will be something I’m also looking forward too.
“I’m looking forward to learning things off them and hopefully giving them some tips too and learning off each other and helping each other become the best we can become.”
Franklin will head to Europe during the off-season, including a stop in Ireland for the International Rules Series before returning to the club for pre-season training in early in December.
The 26-year-old said he couldn’t wait to call Sydney home and begin his new career as a Swan when he moves in permanently towards the end of the year.
“I’ve always loved Sydney,” he said.
“Sydney’s a great place and I’ve come up here a number of times over the years and really enjoy it.
“I’ve got a lot of friends and family up here too and now I’ve got this beautiful football club, so I’m just looking forward to getting up here.”
