Kevin Bartlett has made a bold prediction ahead of the 2019 AFL season.
Bartlett is of the belief that Sydney Swans superstar Lance Franklin can win the Brownlow Medal if he is given the freedom by coach John Longmire to roam further up the ground.
The Richmond legend referred to former Tigers champion Matthew Richardson’s 2008 season when he finished third in the Brownlow after being deployed on a wing by Terry Wallace.
“I was reading today that John Longmire said they’ve got Nick Blakey, he’s about 196(cm) and can play up forward,” Bartlett said on SEN’s KB & The Doc.
“They’ve got Sam Reid coming back from injury, they’ve got Dan Menzel up forward as well.
“They may play Buddy a bit further up the ground.
“Let me make a prediction: If they play Buddy up the ground off a wing, like they did with Matthew Richardson at Tigerland, he can win the Brownlow Medal.”
Co-host, John ‘Dr Turf’ Rothfield, concurred with Bartlett’s sentiments due to Franklin’s pure ability.
“I am not going to argue with you because he is a freakish talent,” Dr Turf added.
“I'd be more concerned about Sam Reid and Menzel seeing the season out, health-wise.
“(But) Buddy’s capable of anything.”
During his stellar 290-game career, Franklin has polled 167 Brownlow votes to sit in the top 20 of all-time vote getters.
He finished fourth in 2017, equal second in 2014 and equal third in 2008 when ineligible.
