Swans superstar Lance Franklin has been ranked as the third best player in the competition according to his peers.
Franklin ranked behind just Patrick Dangerfield and Nat Fyfe in the annual AFL Players top 50 revealed on AFL.com.au.
He becomes the fourth Swan named in the countdown with Dan Hannebery (13), Luke Parker (9) and Josh Kennedy (7) all making the cut.
Lance Franklin
Sydney Swans
Forward
Last year's ranking: 7
Official AFL Player Rating: 17
Debut: 2005
Games: 247
AFL Fantasy value: $569,000
Franklin produced his best season as a Swan in 2016, playing further up the ground but still having a massive impact on the scoreboard, booting 81 goals in 26 games. It was his best return since 2011, but the added extras in Franklin's game now are what make him the competition's best forward. By pushing up the ground, Franklin averaged a career-high 4.46 inside 50s and 11.3 uncontested possessions. John Longmire can pull the trigger and send Franklin into the midfield whenever he likes, knowing he could change the game.
