Sydney coach John Longmire was confused at the treatment of Lance Franklin by Collingwood fans in Sunday’s 77-48 loss at the MCG.
Playing in perhaps his last game against Collingwood, in what could have been his second-last game at the MCG, Franklin was booed whenever he got the ball by a portion of the 71,463-strong crowd.
While the 36-year-old was relatively quiet as he was held goalless and had just 13 disposals, he seemed to be a target of some Collingwood fans, something Longmire simply didn’t understand when asked about the treatment post-match.
“Yeah, Charlie (Gardiner) and I actually didn't know and we were on the bench and we don't sit back and sit there like a spectator and we didn't understand it,” Longmire said at his press conference.
“But I don't know why they would, why are they booing?
“Why would you boo him? You’d probably celebrate a 36-year-old, wouldn't you? That's been a champion of the game.
“Why would you (boo)? It's been 10 years since we played Collingwood here.
“Why would you boo one of the champions of the game?
“It doesn’t make sense to me.”
Franklin will return home to a home crowd next weekend when Sydney hosts Fremantle at the SCG on Saturday.
"Why would you boo him?"
— 7AFL (@7AFL) May 7, 2023
John Longmire on Lance Franklin's reception at the MCG today. pic.twitter.com/WxwagNrrvK