The star forward, who will reach the milestone when the Swans host St Kilda on Saturday afternoon, will line up for his 18th match as a Swan, following on from nine seasons and 182 matches at Hawthorn.
Despite being in Sydney for just a small part of his illustrious football career which has seen him win two premierships and two Coleman Medals, ‘Buddy’ said he was excited to be able to celebrate his milestone match with his Swans team mates and Sydney fans.
“I’m rapt,” Franklin told SwansTV.
“It’s taken me 10 years to get there, but I’ve finally gotten here and it’s something that I’m really excited about.
“I absolutely love the SCG and the supporters have been great.
“I’m loving the new faces I’m seeing at the football club and the new people and new challenges, and just Sydney in general.
“I love the place, it’s a beautiful city, and it helps when you’re winning games of football.
“My family, my friends and the people who are closest to me are going to be there on Saturday, so I’m looking forward to the game and hopefully we can get a win for the boys.”
Since joining the club this season, Franklin has provided a huge impact on-field, with the exciting forward slotting 52 goals so far, including eight bags of four goals or more.
Franklin said he was thoroughly enjoying his first season at the club, and said he was made to feel right at home from the moment he arrived in the Harbour City.
“I think in general the leadership group at the Swans is really strong,” he said.
“Macca (Jarrad McVeigh) and Kizza (Kieren Jack), Shawy (Rhyce Shaw) and Teddy Richards, these guys are just so strong and they bring everyone together at this football club.
“I think it’s really a sign of a great club, and those boys have really made me feel at home and have made the transition from another club a lot easier.”
On the eve of his 200th game, Franklin said he also couldn’t be more excited about the next month of football as the Swans charge towards September.
With just three regular season matches remaining, including his milestone game on Saturday, Buddy said he was looking forward to the challenge of playing finals football.
“It’s been an unbelievable season so far and we’ve got three more home and away games to go and then into finals,” he said.
“Once you get yourself into finals, who knows what can happen?
“It’s just a matter of who turns up on the day and wants it the most, so I’m really excited about the next six-to-seven weeks.”
Franklin backed his team to have an impact in September, and said the Swans boasted great depth and young talent.
“We’ve got a great list here and we’ve got some really good young kids coming through,” he said.
“I think the depth of our side is really good, so if a senior player does go down injured come finals time, there are young kids who are pushing to come in and fill the void for a player.
“It’s just a matter of getting yourself into the finals, and we’re going to be playing finals, but anything can happen on any given day.
“It’s just a matter of you bringing you’re A-game on that day and playing the best you can possibly play.”
The Swans will be looking to post their 16th win for the season when they host St Kilda at the SCG tomorrow, in what will be the final home game the club plays at the venue for 2014.
Franklin urged all Swans fans to fill the stands and help support the club in their second last home match for the year.
“There is nothing better than kicking a goal and hearing the crowd roar or one of the boys putting on a big tackle or one of the defenders putting a big spoil on and the crowd erupting,” he said.
“There is no better feeling for the boys and it definitely gets us up.
“To all the supporters, hopefully we can all get out and have a good day on Saturday and have a good win.”
