The premiership window is closing for Lance Franklin and the Sydney Swans, according to Collingwood legend Tony Shaw.
Shaw has urged the Swans to consider their long-term future and place their marquee man on the trading block, selling Franklin for a stockpile of draft picks.
The Swans have slumped to a 1-3 record to start the year and the recent form has given life to the idea the NSW powerhouse are no longer a premiership threat.
Franklin, 32, has four years remaining on his monster nine-year deal and his pay packet has tied up the club's salary cap resources.
''A lot of things can happen in four years, but say, the next two years, do you think you can see the Sydney Swans winning a premiership?” Shaw told The Daily Telegraph.
“They’ve been a fantastic club and things turn around … but I’m thinking maybe while Buddy still has a little bit to offer you can go the reverse and build for another couple of years down the track, long term and get some, I would think, very early draft picks.''
Shaw believes Collingwood would be a perfect fit for Franklin if they had the salary cap space.
“I’d still think he’s got currency. As a matter of fact he’d probably suit my old side Collingwood if they could fit him in, but I don’t know if they could fit him in,” he said.
Before the year kicked off, St Kilda great Leigh Montagna feared that 2019 could see the decline of the star forward, sending a warning to interested clubs.
Franklin, who battled with well-documented injury issues last season, has kicked seven goals and is averaging 13 disposals after the first month.
“I do have my doubts," Montagna told Fox Sports News’ AFL Tonight.
“I don’t want to be a pessimist but we heard about him not training basically at all last season. We know that he hardly trained this pre-season.
“At 32 years of age, we know he’s a freak show and he’s highly talented. But you just can’t keep rocking up and delivering what he’s done for so long now.
“I don’t want to say the end’s near, but I’m just a bit concerned where Buddy’s fitness will be this year and what his body allows him to do and it might be the start of the decline.
“He’s getting on in age and he’s been a star for so long, it’s just that his body just can’t keep doing it.”
