In just which round will champion goalkicker Lance Franklin pass the 1000-goal milestone?

With 995 goals to his name across the course of a stellar 16-year career, it is clear that Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin is the most dominant AFL key forward to take the field in the 21st century.

Having claimed 12 leading goalkicker titles, eight All-Australian blazers and four Coleman Medals since debuting in 2005, the Hawk-turned-Swan has more than earned his plaudits. But with a hunger to continue adding acclaim to his already embossed name, Franklin will have his eyes cast to the next achievement on his horizon.

Much has already been made about Franklin becoming just the sixth name in AFL/VFL history to surpass the 1000-goal marker, but the question still stands – when will the Western Australian get the job done?

Across the course of his 318 games in both brown and gold and red and white, ‘Buddy’ has proven able to hit a mean of 3.13 majors per week. So, if you were to consult a calculator, it would tell you that the superstar would surpass the milestone midway through the Swans’ Round 2 clash against Geelong.

Still, with Franklin and Sydney set to face their crosstown rivals Greater Western Sydney in their season opener, a large crowd will be willing the 35-year-old to hop the hurdle a week earlier, which could be the case among AFL Expert Tips.

Since 2011, ‘Buddy’ has battled with the Giants on 16 occasions. Throughout this decade and change of fixtures, the spearhead has slotted 39 goals at an average of 2.43. Given this, if Franklin is keen on sending Sydneysiders home with a grin, he will need to be more than just at his best.

When you take into account the dual premiership player’s 2021 average of 2.8 goals collated across his 18 outings for the Bloods, these same numbers also suggest if you harbour hopes of joining in the celebrations in the Harbour City, make sure to buy tickets to Sydney’s first home game at the SCG on Friday, March 25.

While these aforementioned numbers act as Franklin’s foreguide, anyone that has seen the footballing thoroughbred at full flight knows that, on his day, he is more than able to win games off his own boot.

Still, as the tattooed champion has slotted 10-plus goals in a single game on a pair of occasions and five or more majors 72 times, one can understand a desire to hedge your bets and take in both clashes.

So, for those of you who have run the risk and only booked in for Round 1, you still have a 22.6 percent – or a one in five – chance of witnessing history firsthand.