After missing the first seven matches of the season with knee concerns and a cracked rib, Tippett returned to the side in the Swans’ round eight win over Hawthorn at ANZ Stadium, which was the first time the twin talls had lined up together in the red and white.
Franklin, who has enjoyed a purple patch of form over the last two weeks booting seven goals and taking nine contested marks, said Tippett’s return has had a positive impact on his game.
“I think it’s really good having another forward up there in ‘Tippo’,” Franklin said on Sunday.
“I probably struggled in the early stages of the season because it was just me and (Sam) Reid up there, but with Goodesy and Tippo in the side it sort of takes the pressure off us other forwards and means we’ve got another tall in the forward line to go to.”
Sunday's Indigenous Round guernsey training gallery
Franklin, who was named in the Swans’ best in the last two games, added that he felt both his and Tippett’s best form was still to come, particularly given the pair’s limited preparation in the early season and through the pre-season.
“I’ve probably only trained three or four times with Tippo over the six months that I’ve been here,” he said.
“We’ve only pretty much just played together so far, so it’s really good for the team that we’ve only played a couple of games but we’re sort of gelling at the moment.
“There is still a long way to go in terms of getting our form up to scratch and where we want it and I’m looking forward to the second half of the season.”
Franklin and his Swans team mates had a solid hit-out at training on Sunday morning ahead of Thursday night’s Indigenous Round opener against Geelong at the SCG.
The Swans trained in the club’s Indigenous guernsey for the first time on Sunday, which Franklin said was a thrill for the team ahead of this week’s big game.
“To put on a Sydney Swans jumper, with Goodesy’s mum creating the design, is something very special and I’m certainly looking forward to getting out there on Thursday night against a quality outfit in Geelong,” he said.
“With Goodesy’s mum designing this jumper it’s obviously very special to all of the boys and not just the Indigenous boys.
“It’s really exciting just to put the jumper on and wear it for the Swannies.”
Franklin, who is just one goal away from reaching his 600th career goal, said Thursday night’s match was likely to be one of the side’s toughest encounters this season.
“Geelong has been the best side for the last ten years,” Franklin said.
“They’re a quality outfit and we’re going to have to be at our best to knock them off.
“The boys are really looking forward to the challenge of playing against the best, so we look forward to all the Sydney Swans fans getting out here on Thursday night and hopefully it’s a great turnout.”
