SYDNEY spearhead Lance Franklin has moved past Essendon champion Matthew Lloyd and into outright seventh on the all-time VFL/AFL goalkicking list.

FULL MATCH COVERAGE Tigers hand Swans a lesson

Franklin booted his third of the night and 927th of his career midway through the third term against Richmond at Marvel Stadium, overtaking Lloyd’s haul of 926 goals. He finished with four for the night in the Swans' 22-point loss, making it 928 for his career to date.  

The Sydney superstar kicked 580 of his goals at the Hawks, before his much-publicised move to the Swans at the end of 2013.

Legendary Richmond forward Jack Titus (970 goals) is next on the radar for Franklin, while Gary Ablett snr (1031) and Doug Wade (1057) could be within reach if he manages to maintain his form over the next few seasons.

Essendon champion Matthew Lloyd kicks for goal in 2008. Picture: AFL Photos

Franklin is contracted for three more seasons after this year, until the end of 2022, after signing a nine-year, $10 million deal to join the Swans.

St Kilda and Sydney forward Tony Lockett (1360) has kicked the most goals ever in the history of the VFL/AFL, with Gordon Coventry (1299) and Jason Dunstall (1254) rounding out the top three.

Franklin underwent groin surgery in the off-season and has made a slow start to the new campaign by his lofty standards, with 11 goals from the opening five matches of the year.

Swans coach John Longmire said he had been pleased with Franklin's output so far, but his superstar forward needed more support from his teammates. 

"We just need to give him a hand... and we need other blokes to stand up and kick goals," Longmire said.

"Will Hayward is not in there and he is an important young player for us, but we need others to stand up."


Top 10 VFL/AFL all-time goalkickers

1. Tony Lockett (StK/Syd) - 1360
2. Gordon Coventry (Coll) - 1299
3. Jason Dunstall (Haw) - 1254
4. Doug Wade (Geel/NM) - 1057
5. Gary Ablett (Haw/Geel) - 1031
6. Jack Titus (Rich) - 970
7. Lance Franklin (Haw/Syd) - 928
8. Matthew Lloyd (Ess) - 926
9. Leigh Matthews (Haw) - 915
10. Peter McKenna (Coll/Carl) - 874