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Sport
Shayne Hope

Swans block out Franklin AFL distraction

Sydney veteran Luke Parker is adamant the uncertainty around Lance Franklin's playing future won't be a distraction in the club's AFL premiership hunt.

Franklin, who in March became the sixth player to reach 1000 VFL/AFL goals, has put contract talks with the Swans on hold until the end of the season.

The decision came after a media report linked the 35-year-old with a shock move to Brisbane.

Franklin will be a restricted free agent at the end of the season, with his monster nine-year deal with Sydney set to expire.

He has kicked 10 goals in the last three weeks, taking his season tally to 45 from 18 games, and shapes as a key piece in the fourth-placed Swans' flag puzzle.

"The noise outside doesn't really penetrate the walls of the club," Parker told SEN on Monday.

"Some people would think there might be some awkward tension inside, but there's not at all.

"For Bud (Franklin), he's playing some good football.

"He just came out and said he wanted to put things on hold just to make sure that that's where his mindset was and didn't want the distraction for the club.

"I know where his commitment is at the moment is for this season and this week, and hopefully that will continue going forward, but the main thing is he's enjoying his football and he's enjoying the opportunity that we have.

"At the moment it's not at all really a distraction at our club."

Brisbane football boss Danny Daly reiterated Lions coach Chris Fagan's stance on Franklin, declaring the club would be "crazy" not to talk to the key forward if he is interested in a move north.

Franklin and his wife Jesinta are reportedly considering relocating to Queensland to be closer to family on the Gold Coast.

"There's two clubs in Queensland but as Fages said, he's got to decide whether he wants to retire, stay in Sydney or what he wants to do," Daly told TAB Radio on Monday.

"But if they decide they want to move to Queensland and he decides he wants to play football we'd be crazy not to have a chat to him. We'll just see how it pans out."

Sydney host second-placed Collingwood at the SCG on Saturday in a contest that will help shape both sides' top-four prospects.

Parker was careful not to stoke the fire after Melbourne wingman Ed Langdon's "one-trick pony" barb was used as motivation by Collingwood in their narrow win over the Demons last week.

"It's always a big test against Collingwood and we know they always send a few busloads of supporters up," Parker said.

"It will be a cracker and obviously it's pretty important for this season. I won't say anything too stupid to fuel the fire."

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