Goodes, who contributed three goals during the second quarter of Saturday’s win over Port Adelaide, said Franklin’s final quarter performance, which saw him slot three huge goals from outside 50, were proof of Buddy’s exceptional talents.
“I can believe it because he’s an exceptional player and he can do very special things,” Goodes told SwansTV after the match.
“He practices them at training and they come off, so for him to do it under extreme pressure when the team needs it show how much of a good player he really is.”
Goodes’ three-goal haul during the second term were equally as important, with the dual Brownlow medallist’s cameo helping the Swans to a seven-point lead at half time.
The 338-gamer said he was pleased with his contribution in Saturday’s match, and highlighted the importance of every player playing their role.
“It’s great to contribute when I can up forward and we ask that of all the players,” he said.
“You only might contribute for one quarter like I was able to do, but for the rest of the game you need other blokes chipping in and we had that across the board.”
While there were a number of brilliant individual efforts, the Swans’ performance as a team played a vital role in securing the club’s eighth-straight victory.
The Swans boasted nine players who collected 20 possessions or more for the match, with defender Rhyce Shaw topping the list with 32 touches and eight rebound-50s.
Goodes’ said the club’s four-point victory was reward for the team’s four-quarter effort against the Power, who he said never backed down.
“It felt great (to win),” he said.
“They just kept coming, and we knew that was going to happen, and there’s a reason why they’ve been on top of the ladder for most of the year.
“In the last quarter, to really hold on and for guys like Buddy to stand up and kick a couple of vital goals for us when we needed them, exemplifies just how much we need everyone to play their role.
“It’s tough to keep backing it up week after week and play a four-quarter effort, but the rewards are there if you want to do it.”
Goodes also acknowledged the 41,317 fans who turned out for the match, the club’s biggest turn-our since 1997, for their role in the Swans’ thrilling victory.
“To beat a great team like Port Adelaide in front of 41-thousand is a huge effort,” he said.
“It’s fantastic that the supporters got behind us.
“It was a beautiful day here and we just need that support for the rest of the year.
“We need those stands rocking like they were today because it really helped us get over the line.”
