Goalkicking great Tony Lockett says Sydney cannot rely solely on Lance Franklin as they aim to win their first flag since the superstar forward's sensational move to the Swans.
No player has kicked more goals than Lockett in the history of the game, but the former St Kilda and Sydney champion never tasted the ultimate success during his 18-season career despite a swag of individual honours.
The closest he came to lifting the premiership cup was in 1996 when he booted six goals in his only grand final appearance in the Swans' 43-point loss to North Melbourne. Franklin played a similar lone hand in attack two years ago, kicking four of Sydney's 11 goals in the debacle against Hawthorn.
The Swans have lessened their dependence this year on Franklin, who has spent more time up the field and was a key player in the victory over Geelong last week despite kicking only two goals. Though when the Swans last met the Western Bulldogs in round 15 his five goals could not prevent his team from a narrow defeat.
"Grand finals are hard to win. Not only Buddy will have to be at his best, it doesn't rely on the one bloke, it's everyone out on the field, the coaching staff, the right moves have to be made at the right time," Lockett told Fairfax Media.
"The focus has to go off Buddy but all the other blokes have to have a big day. They can't think if Buddy plays well they win, the whole team has to play well. The same goes for the Bulldogs, you can't put it on the one bloke."
Franklin's return to the elite ranks has been one of the feelgood stories of this year after his unhappy finish to 2015. He collected his sixth All Australian blazer earlier this month and could be days away from a third premiership medallion.
"He's been terrific this year, he's come with a big reputation and I think he's going good," Lockett said. "He's very important to them and I'm sure he'll be very keen to continue on his good form and have a real good grand final after the misfortune of last year."
Lockett did not give a tip but is looking forward to Saturday's game.
"The last couple of games with Sydney have been terrific, they shut Adelaide down, shut Geelong down right from the first siren," Lockett said. "For the Western Bulldogs to beat West Coast in Perth, to beat Hawthorn at the MCG and come up last week and beat GWS in Sydney, can they get up for another one? It should be a really good game."
Injured duo Aliir Aliir and Callum Mills are set to have their grand final fates decided at training on Wednesday. Swans football manager Tom Harley said Aliir needs to pass a test to play while Mills can book a berth in the 22 by getting through training
Skipper Jarrad McVeigh faces his test "later in the week", Harley said.
"He's obviously an extremely important and valuable player for our team, and we look forward to seeing how he progresses in the next couple of days," Harley said.
