Pure Footy AFL: David King, Daniel Hoyne on Lance Franklin’s career best form

The 34-year-old is generating numbers that haven’t been seen in years – or never have been – in the eighth season of his nine-year deal since overtaking Hawthorn.

And it’s no coincidence that the Swans have Port Adelaide in fourth and Brisbane in fifth looking over their shoulder.

Speaking on Pure Footy – the exclusive weekly AFL analysis program on heraldsun.com.au – Champion Data analyst Daniel Hoyne said he has selected Sydney as the “fourth seed” for the 2021 prime ministership.

And Buddy is a huge part of that.

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“He is the #1 rated key striker in the league this season based on averages,” Hoyne said.

Franklin is ranked 2nd in the AFL in terms of goals per game, 5th in involvement and 2nd in his position for tackles.

And there is another number that is even more amazing.

“Buddy’s kick was the best we’ve seen in his career,” Hoyne said.

Based on Champion Data’s expected kicks rating, which factors into the difficulty of shots on goal, Franklin is said to have scored 195 points on the scoreboard in 2021 so far.

“He got 239 points, so his accuracy has actually added 44 points on this year’s scorecard. That’s the biggest (positive) difference of any player in the competition.

“On the other hand, Aaron Naughton has himself lost 50 points on this year’s scorecard due to his inaccuracies.”

Hoyne and North Melbourne champion David King also discuss which players have suffered the biggest drop in form after the split, why Geelong is the favorite front-runner, the jewel. Hawthorn’s late draft and more.