Lance Franklin left his most dominant pre-season performance until the final NAB Challenge match and is now fully focussed joining his teammates as they take on Collingwood in the season opener at the SCG.
The star forward finished Friday night’s win over Carlton with 20 disposals, nine marks and three goals in a fine display of athleticism and strength.
A standout in his performance against the Blues was his ability to share the ball with his teammates to finish the match with five goal assists.
After an injury free pre-season campaign Franklin said he was looking forward to taking on Collingwood at the SCG on March 26.
“It has been a really good four or five months for myself with the Club and my family being really good support for me,” he told FOX Footy post-match.
“I just love playing football so I am looking forward to Round 1 and getting back out there.
“The boys played really well tonight, we have a few things we need to work on as a team but we will have next weekend off and look forward to round 1.”
Franklin played all three NAB Challenge matches in search of match fitness after missing the club’s finals campaign at the end of last season.
“I hadn’t played for five or six months so for me it was about getting the kilometres in the legs and getting that match fitness,” he said.
“I am always hungry to play football that is what I love doing so it was really good to have those three hit outs without any injuries.”
Tickets to our season opener against Collingwood at the SCG are now on sale through Ticketek.
