Two goals to Lance Franklin on his return to AFL action against Fremantle on Saturday will move him alongside another famous Sydney forward recruit in the record book.
Franklin, who has missed Sydney’s last three games with a bruised heel, has kicked 298 goals for the Swans.
Two more majors against the Dockers from the former Hawthorn hero will put him alongside Swans and St Kilda legend Tony Lockett as the only men in VFL-AFL history to kick 300 goals for two different clubs.
The return of Franklin and midfielder Dan Hannebery will bolster a Swans side that has a 4-0 record on its travels but a 1-3 record at home this season.
“The losses we’ve had at home, we’ve had some good periods but some poor quarters,” Swans assistant coach Dean Cox told AAP.
Fremantle haven’t won interstate for over 11 months, losing all seven of those games outside WA over that period by at least four goals.
“Fortunately past results don’t count because last time we got there, (the SCG), we got absolutely obliterated ” Dockers coach Ross Lyon said, referring to the side’s 143-39 loss last year.
“We’ve spoken about we want to be a team that performs everywhere, so we’ve got to go away with a really strong mindset.”
Injury-hit Freo welcome back Michael Walters and Nathan Wilson.
Saturday’s game will mark the first time Franklin will play alongside Sydney’s latest emerging forward, Ben Ronke, who kicked seven goals against Hawthorn last week.
Ronke and fellow youngster Will Hayward have both kicked nine goals over the three games missed by Franklin.
“I think we haven’t played pretty footy,” Cox said.
“Once we’ve got our hands dirty and got back to playing the Swans footy we know we can always play, really grinding sides into the ground.”
“It was just great to see the boys deliver and to come back late against Hawthorn last week gave them some real confidence and hopefully we take it into this week.”
Fremantle have notched a draw and three losses in their last four visits to the SCG ,where they last won seven years ago