Sydney’s team-first culture has helped the club claim two AFL flags in the past decade, but the Swans are being asked to give Lance Franklin some special treatment.
Former Melbourne star Garry Lyon says the ex-Hawk, who struggled on debut for his new club in Sydney’s loss to last year’s wooden spooners Greater Western Sydney on Saturday, needs more help from his teammates.
A four-time All-Australian at Hawthorn before accepting a nine-year deal at Sydney worth $10 million, Franklin had seven possessions in round one and kicked 1.1.
The 198cm, 102kg Franklin has started his Sydney career in ordinary fashion, Lyon said on Monday.
“The one thing I would say is maybe there was an over-correction from his teammates,” Lyon told the AFL’s website.
“I would have liked to see a bit more support for Buddy (Franklin) throughout the course of this game.
“I reckon they tried to ram home the whole Bloods culture, ‘Let’s not make a big deal out of one player’.
“But sometimes you’ve got to go and support your mate.
“And, look, he was copping it from (Giants midfielder) Toby Greene, he was copping it from everyone out there.”