Football legend heaps on the praiseRECENTLY retired Brisbane Lions coach Leigh Matthews is not one for hyperbole or feigned admiration, so when he lays on the praise you tend to take note.
Lance Franklin took a second or two to digest the former Hawthorn champion rover's high praise directed his way after Friday night's game; that Franklin could become the 'best player he has seen'.
The comment was relayed to the 21-year-old at a press conference in Melbourne yesterday afternoon.
The West Australian's football career is on a steep, upward trajectory with yet another chapter added to his growing legend after his eight goals on Friday night -- with one of those earning him another goal of the year nomination -- coming a week after kicking his 100th goal for the season.
To add to that, on Monday night, Franklin placed second in the AFLPA's MMVP Award (to Geelong's Gary Ablett jnr).
Yet, pleasingly, he is maintaining a level head.
If I was half as good as him (Matthews), I will be alright," was Franklin's initial response, before adding: "It's a hard question, you've got me on the spot -- I'm not too sure, to be honest, not too sure what to think about (that).
I'm still learning the game, I'm only 21. I've just got to keep training hard and keep improving out on the track.
"I've got to keep working on what I'm not good at and go from there."
That Franklin was giving a rare media appearance was due to a Carlton fan returning the '100th-goal' ball to him after it become lost as pandemonium set in when he reached the ton at Telstra Dome in Round 22.
Buddy earns another nomination LANCE FRANKLIN's clever spoil of Western Bulldogs opponent Brian Lake's handpass and re-gather to snap a equally clever goal on Friday night has him in the running for goal of the year.
It is Franklin's second nomination in this category, and Indigenous football's 36th such nomination in the mark/goal of the year award this season.
Leon Davis' goal against Fremantle in Round 22, where he hassled Des Headland for the ball, took a bump, shook a tackle and threaded it through from about 30 metres out, has won the Magpie the vote for that round's goal of the year.
2008 Mark of the Year nominations (* denotes winning vote):Round 4: Paddy Ryder (Essendon) *
Round 5: Mark Williams (Hawthorn)
Round 7: Daniel Motlop (Port Adelaide)
Round 7: Jeff Farmer (Fremantle)
Round 8: Lindsay Thomas (North Melbourne)
Round 8: Michael O'Loughlin (Sydney)
Round 12: Aaron Davey (Melbourne)
Round 13: Paddy Ryder (Essendon) *
Round 15: Michael O'Loughlin (Sydney) *
Round 16: Daniel Motlop (Port Adelaide)
Round 17: Cyril Rioli (Hawthorn) *
Round 19: Cyril Rioli (Hawthorn)
2008 Goal of the Year nominations (* denotes winning vote):Round 1: Alwyn Davey (Essendon)
Round 1: Leon Davis (Collingwood)
Round 2: Eddie Betts (Carlton) *
Round 2: Lance Franklin (Hawthorn)
Round 3: Andrew Lovett (Essendon), and
Round 3: Andrew Lovett (Essendon)
Round 4: Richard Tambling (Richmond)
Round 5: David Wirrpanda (West Coast)
Round 5: Daniel Motlop (Port Adelaide)
Round 6: Cyril Rioli (Hawthorn) *
Round 6: Andrew McLeod (Adelaide)
Round 7: Aaron Davey (Melbourne) *
Round 7: Daniel Motlop (Port Adelaide)
Round 8: Leon Davis (Collingwood)
Round 8: Daniel Motlop (Port Adelaide)
Round 10: Daniel Motlop (Port Adelaide) *
Round 14: Mathew Stokes (Geelong) *
Round 15: Lindsay Thomas (North Melbourne)
Round 15: Eddie Betts (Carlton)
Round 19: Leon Davis (Collingwood)
Round 22: Leon Davis (Collingwood) *
Round 22: Cyril Rioli (Hawthorn)
Round 22: Marlon Motlop (Port Adelaide)
Finals, Week 1: Lance Franklin (Hawthorn)
* Voting is open from the Monday after each round through to the following Sunday night. The nominated marks and goals can be viewed at
AFL.com.au/markgoal.
DARREN MONCRIEFF
AboriginalFootball@westnet.com.au
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Last Modified on 10/09/2008 15:36