How Buddy's 'more focused' approach stunned doubters

Sydney Swans superstar Lance Franklin says he's "much more focused now" in making sure his health and fitness remain at an elite level following a near two-year layoff through injury.

Franklin, who played 10 games in 2019 before missing all of last season due to soft tissue injuries, has stunned the AFL world this year with his return to senior football.

While some, including Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes, who recently said he fears Franklin is "coming to the end pretty quickly", believe Franklin will struggle to play beyond his current contract, the superstar Swan has made himself available for most of Sydney's 2021 matches.

And not only has he been available, with 10 appearances from a possible 14, he's going at close to three goals a game with 29 (2.9 average) to his name as Sydney firm for finals football, currently sitting sixth on the AFL ladder. He sits just 27 goals shy of reaching the 1000-goal milestone.

Speaking to Wide World of Sports on behalf of his partnership with Australian brand Vicks, Franklin revealed how he, like a lot of athletes, needed to find a way to change the training routine that he developed at a young age to fit his needs in today's journey, now aged 34.

Lance Franklin of the Swans celebrates kicking a goal with Chad Warner

"I think most professional athletes can overexert themselves early on in their careers because you want to win at any cost. So you push yourself really hard physically, and don't really anticipate the long-term impacts," he told Wide World of Sports.

"I'm much more focused now on looking after all aspects of my health and fitness – from regular workouts that involve Pilates and stretching, team training, resistance work and keeping up a healthy diet and immune system."

He admitted being unable to take to the field over the previous two seasons was a tough pill to swallow.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CQIvNAupcXG/

"It was a frustrating time being off the field but it was important to give my body the time it needed to recover," he said.

"I'm happy with my performance this season and look forward to a strong performance in the second half of the season."

With one more season to go on his 10-year multi-million dollar contract with the Swans, Franklin had a passionate response when asked if he would be willing to play beyond 2022 should injuries not derail that hope.

"I'd love to play as long as I can, " Franklin said. "I love this game!"

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