How Josh Kennedy knew Lance Franklin would join Sydney 12 months before it happened

Lance Franklin told Sydney champion Josh Kennedy that he was coming to the Swans a full year before it actually happened.

Franklin joined Sydney in 2013 from Hawthorn, after a full year of speculation that he would sign with GWS as a free agent.

However Kennedy was one of a handful of people on the planet – and the only Sydney player – who knew the truth, thanks to an encounter in Las Vegas in 2012.

“It happened in Las Vegas in a booth in a nightclub and Hannebery was there, but obviously he didn’t trust him with the information,” Kenned told AFL Trade Radio with tongue in cheek.

“But he told me at the end of the 2012 that he was going to come to the Swans. He wasn’t that specific about coming at the end of 2013, but he said he was coming to the Swans.

“He made me swear that I wouldn’t tell anyone.

“I never told anyone. I didn’t even tell my dad!”

Kennedy admits he was still surprised when it actually eventuated.

“He told me in a nightclub in Vegas. He did seem extremely sincere, so I was still pleasantly surprised,” he said.

Dan Hannebery, speaking with Kennedy on Trade Radio, added: “I didn’t find out until I saw it on the AFL app!”

Franklin would go on to play 172 games for the Swans and kick 486 goals, joining the 1000-goal club.