Sydney should not break the bank to hold on to all-time great Lance Franklin according to premiership Bomber Matthew Lloyd.
Lloyd told Nine’s Sunday Footy Show that the 332-game legend has failed to have the impact on games to this point in 2022 that he previously has.
“He’s not playing amazing football, even the day he kicked his 1000th goal, he wasn’t playing great footy, but he bobbed up his three of four late,” he said.
“He’s been in the coaches' votes three times and were in Round 18, he was last in the coaches' votes in Round 11.”
The 44-year-old set his cap on what he thinks Franklin is worth and warned of the potential downfalls of over-investing in the development of youth at the Swans.
“They’ve got to be reasonable, him and his manager, about what he is worth at 36 years of age,” Lloyd said.
“I’d maybe go to $600,000 because he's Buddy Franklin and he puts bums on seats, but no more than that and I wouldn’t lose other players for the sake of extending Lance Franklin.
“There's also Logan McDonald who’s playing in the seconds, he’s got to be playing AFL football every week next year, so I’d let Buddy walk if he’s holding that back.”
The 1030-goal forward has averaged 2.3 goals per game this year, the lowest in his career since his second season in 2006 and has averaged 12 disposals per game despite being used further up the field at times to increase his influence.
Rumours have suggested that the offer Sydney tabled the veteran was well below the expected price from Franklin and has led to speculation of a potential third club in 2023.
However, the Swans will be hoping to put this to the side and focus on a tilt at the upper echelons of the ladder after a rousing 65-82 win over Fremantle at Optus Stadium.