Lance Franklin.
Camera IconLance Franklin. Credit: Supplied/Getty Images

23’s for me, Buddy tells Lockyer

Mark Donaldson, Joondalup TimesWanneroo Times

The Joondalup-Kinross product, who is yet to make his AFL debut, chose to wear No. 23 when he first arrived at the club.

But Franklin requested the number, which he wore in 185 games for Hawthorn, after his multimillion dollar signing to the 2012 premiers.

The Swans’ website quoted Lockyer (20) as saying he was ‘hesitant’ to give up the number.

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He will wear the number 18 in 2014.

“Obviously 23 was the number I chose on day one and I was pretty excited and became quite attached to it,” he said.

‘But after speaking to Lance and speaking to others at the footy club, I’m now really excited about wearing the number 18.’

The tall defender has a sentimental attachment to the jumper, having worn it in his junior playing days.

‘Back then, if I had the choice of any number I would always try grab number 18 as quickly as I could,’ he said.

‘Growing up, I used to love Wayne Carey and Matthew Lloyd, so that was why I started wearing it during AusKick.’

Franklin told SwansTV his younger teammate was a ‘good bloke’ for making the switch.

‘I really appreciate it’