'Where's Buddy?'' said Stewie Dew. The Sydney coach was worried. No one had seen Franklin for several days. The last sighting of him was in the Lavazza marquee at Flemington with Sonny Bill Williams and Kurtley Beale on Derby day.

Buddy had assured Dew, his old Hawthorn teammate, that he'd be back and ''fit as a pole dancer'' for the pre-season. The problem was that pre-season had already started. Buddy had been to Auckland, supposedly on a promotional tour, after the races. His phone was off and Franklin's manager suggested the Swans phone Beale or James O'Connor.

Lance Franklin with his new guernsey. Credit:Getty Images

Not that he'd really be missed. Dew had long ago given up on Franklin playing a meaningful role in his re-cast forward line. Franklin had missed most of the 2019 season with back and hamstring problems, and was still coasting on the glory of the 2016 grand final, when he'd dobbed the winning goal - a banana from 55 out on the boundary - to sink the Suns.

The coach, who knew what it was to be the difference in a grand final, wanted him gone. Buddy had given all he had left to John Longmire, who was coaching the Hawks now. Never capable overhead, Franklin no longer had those nimble dancer's feet; he had knee, back and chronic hamstrings. He was putting on pounds. But there was no chance he'd retire.