Swans forward Joel Amartey attributes his outstanding performance, scoring nine goals in Sydney’s 42-point victory over the Crows, to his close relationship with Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin. Amartey’s remarkable nine-goal haul, achieved from just 10 disposals, played a pivotal role in the Swans’ win against Adelaide on Saturday night.
Amartey, who became the first Swan since Franklin to kick at least nine goals in a game (Franklin’s last being in August 2017 with 10 goals), has now surged to fifth place on the Coleman Medal leaderboard with 31 goals this season, surpassing his previous best of 20 goals in 15 games last year. Reflecting on his progress, the 24-year-old credited Franklin, stating that his time learning from the AFL great has been instrumental in his development.
“I think he’s the ultimate mentor for a key forward,” Amartey told SEN. “He’s the greatest competitor of all time. His ability to compete on the ground – and as a key forward, sometimes the game can be a bit quiet when you’re not getting the ball. He instilled a lot of self-belief in my strengths and what I could bring to the team.”
Selected by Sydney in the 2017 rookie draft, Amartey spent nearly three seasons under Franklin’s guidance before making his AFL debut in round 17, 2020. However, his progress was hampered by soft-tissue injuries.
Amartey’s nine-goal performance against Adelaide was the highest goal tally in the 2024 AFL season, surpassing the previous record of six goals. Despite being benched by the Swans towards the end of the match, a decision that drew some criticism for denying him the chance to reach double-digit goals, Amartey expressed understanding, citing workload management as the reason.
Overall, his performance has contributed significantly to Sydney’s nine-game winning streak and underscores his growing impact as a key player for the Swans.
