The star forward, who recently claimed his third Coleman Medal with 67 goals for the season, told Mark Levy on 2GB’s Sportzone this evening that September was without a doubt his favourite time of the season.
“It’s definitely an exciting time of the year,” Franklin said.
“It’s what we play football for, to play finals and to get the opportunity to play tomorrow against Freo is going to be something very special, and hopefully we can get a win.”
Franklin, who missed last weekend’s final round clash against Richmond with knee soreness, was given a clean bill of health this week and was named in the side that will face the Dockers tomorrow afternoon.
The key forward admitted he had battled some niggling injuries this season, but said he was pleased with the level of football he’s been able to produce in his first season in Sydney and was fit and ready to tackle the Dockers tomorrow afternoon.
“When I first got to the Swans just with my quad and my knee, they have just been little injuries that have been around, but I think I’ve managed to put together an alright season with the injuries I’ve had,” Franklin said.
“I was a little bit sore with that six-day break (leading in to last weekend) with my knee so I ended up having the weekend off, but I’m feeling fresh for tomorrow, so I can’t wait to get out there.”
In addition to ‘Buddy’ coming back into the side, the Swans will be further strengthened by the returns of Josh Kennedy, Ben McGlynn, Craig Bird and Mike Pyke for Saturday’s final.
Franklin said Kennedy, who was recently selected in the All Australian extended squad, was an important inclusion for the Swans for the finals, and backed him to hit the ground running this weekend.
“I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Josh for a number of years and he was at Hawthorn when I was,” he said.
“He’s been unbelievable this season and just to see where he’s come from, he obviously puts a lot of work in during the pre-season.
“He’s come out this season, and has been very consistent over a number of years, and he’s a great leader around the football club.”
Not a stranger to finals football, with 14 finals and two premierships under his belt, Franklin said the Swans needed to make the most of their home qualifying final this week.
With a place in a Sydney preliminary final and a week’s rest on the line, Franklin said now was the time for the Swans to produce their best football.
“I said during the season, to win a premiership you’ve got to be in the top-four to get that second chance,” he said.
“I think we’ve got ourselves in a good position to really have a crack at it.
“It all depends on the day, and I know that with the Swans, if we bring all of our pressure and our best game then we’re going to be in it.
“It’s about taking your opportunities and really working for one another.”
