AFL: Buddy Franklin laughs off awkward Sydney question amid contract standoff

A relaxed Buddy Franklin laughed off an awkward question about his Sydney future as uncertainty grows over where the superstar forward will play next season.

The Herald Sun reported earlier this week that the 35-year-old is pondering a move to a third AFL club or retiring from footy altogether after a ‘lowball’ contract extension offered by the Swans was not amended.

And after helping his team to a 17-point victory over top eight rivals Fremantle, Franklin remained coy over his AFL future when quizzed by Dockers legend Matthew Pavlich.  

‘I’ve played for 18 years mate so I’m pretty much used to all that commentary,’ he said.

‘You just put it to the side, move on, come out here, everyone as I said played really well and really happy with that win.’

Pavlich responded: ‘But you like the red and the white I’m sure?’

Franklin, quick to not fall into the AFL legend’s games, chuckled and shook Pavlich’s hand before walking off. 

‘Too clever for Pav,’ Jason Dunstall reacted on Fox Footy. ‘He just brushed that one,’ Adam Papalia added.

The 35-year-old is pondering his future after receiving a ‘lowball’ contract offer

The superstar forward could move to a third AFL club or retire from football altogether

Franklin is represented by his wife and newly-qualified player agent Jesinta, who this week refused to rule out a move away from the Harbour City. 

In a statement that was no doubt directed at Swans management, she said ‘we’ve got options’ when host Kylie Gillies suggested there were plenty of other clubs that would snap up Buddy.

However, she did clarify they were only ‘rumours’ and ‘speculation’ at this stage.

‘There’s always rumours and speculation swirling around Bud, and I think when he’s coming to the end of such an amazing contract, this was always going to happen,’ Jesinta explained.

‘But I think they’re just that; they’re rumours and they’re speculation.’