His finals series, thus, consisted of two goals in three matches and none when opposed to May, Moore and De Koning.

Sydney’s fundamental problem with Franklin at age 36 is that while he is still capable of contributing and dining out against moderate or weak opposition, his record lately against high-calibre opponents and teams (Jacob Weitering is another gun who eclipsed him last year) suggests that he should no longer be a focal forward.

Further, as with many champions of the past, the reputation, aura and presence of the superstar, even in his decline, means that he draws the ball more often than he should.

If the Swans wish to contend for the premiership, as they can, then they have to relegate Franklin to a less prominent place in their attack. The teams that shape as potential contenders - Melbourne, Collingwood, Carlton and the Brisbane Lions - each have star key backs that Buddy will find difficult.

While it’s true that Franklin can occupy the opposition’s best defender, that also represents a potential issue given his reduced abilities.

The upshot is that Franklin should be more role player than a premier target. Jack Riewoldt, who also has struggled, poses less of an issue for Richmond because their main man is Tom Lynch and Riewoldt plays a subordinate role.

Dermott Brereton, observing Franklin’s diminished output from his vantage as a Fox Footy commentator and ex-Hawthorn great, called this phenomenon of kicking to the faded champion “Leigh Matthews Syndrome” - noting that this had happened in Matthews’ last season, 1985. While Matthews remained wily and dangerous in ’85, it emerged the following year that his sheer presence - and position in the goal square - had briefly obstructed the progress of a young forward called Jason Dunstall.

This is not to suggest that McDonald, who is slated to be the premier forward, or Amartey, belong in the same paragraph as Dunstall and Franklin, or that the Swans trust them to take the heat just yet.

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Matthew Lloyd observed earlier this week (via the AFL website) that if he was McDonald or Amartey’s agent, and they were dropped again, he would be on the phone to rival clubs pronto. Lloyd noted McDonald had played his best footy when Buddy was absent.

“I’m surprised that no one tried to grab one of those two,” said Brereton of McDonald and Amartey. McDonald, contracted until the end of next year, is forever on the radar of the Perth clubs.

Brereton said that Franklin’s greatness relied on remarkable speed, agility and an ability to mark one-out with clever body use, even if he juggled the footy. But Brereton added Franklin’s agility and speed have “slid a bit” and that this rendered him vulnerable to opponents such as May, Weitering and to a lesser degree Moore.

That he’s still a key forward at 36 is another measure of Franklin’s phenomenal career. He has drawn fans to the footy like few others. But his days of drawing so much ball should cease.