Fremantle would be an ideal home for Sydney champion Lance Franklin in 2023, according to Jordan Lewis

Former Hawthorn champion Jordan Lewis says Fremantle would be an ideal suitor for Sydney superstar Lance Franklin, who has reportedly knocked back the Swans’ initial offer to play on in 2023. The Herald Sun reported on Wednesday that Franklin had turned down a one-year, $500,000 deal to play a 10th at the Swans. Sydney chief executive Tom Harley was confident the 35-year-old would re-sign with the club, but would not go into detail on the negotiations. “The reason why I’m not concerned about that (Franklin not re-signing) is there are very few people who are involved in these conversations and you do them year after year and I feel comfortable with where things are at at the moment,” Harley told SEN. “Lance is a unique player and figure in the game and with that the conversations are tailored towards that as well. (It would be) inappropriate and unfair on all parties involved to go into the specifics of that.” Lewis, who played in two premierships alongside Franklin at the Hawks, said the Dockers and Collingwood would benefit from having a dominant forward such as the West Australian in their push for a premiership. Franklin has kicked 34 goals in 14 matches this season, more than Fremantle’s leading goalkicker in Rory Lobb (29 goals). “The obvious ones for me who we speak about and they’re crying out for not only a key position player, but a very good key position player, are Collingwood and Fremantle,” Lewis told AFL 360. “The teams that I would consider to be good, solid finals teams that are now looking for that edge come 2023.” Dockers coach Justin Longmuir said the possibility of Franklin joining his side hadn’t crossed his mind when asked on Wednesday night. “He’s a Sydney player and that’s how we’ll be treating him this weekend,” Longmuir said.